TNLSF News: Eight Auspicious Symbols Found at TNL

• Registration for Light of the Path 2010 is Now Open!
• Lama Zopa Rinpoche's Light of the Path Retreat
• 2009 International Sangha Prayers for World Peace
• Eight Auspicious Symbols Found at TNL
• Spiritual Program Coordinator Needed at TNL
• STATEMENT OF HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA TO ALL TIBETANS
• The Golden Light Sutra Recitation for World Peace
• LIBRARY NEWS

Eight Auspicious Symbols Found at TNL

The Thubten Norbu Ling Center is decorated generously with the eight auspicious symbols. The symbols are present in many of the tankas and tapestries that are displayed at the Center. The symbols are present in our prayer books and in dharma materials used at the Center. But why? What do the symbols represent? What is their connection to us?

Symbols are a bridge between language and thought. When we can begin to see the meaning conveyed by the symbol another door to understanding opens. Another way to work with the mind becomes clear.

In Sutra the eight auspicious symbols were offered by the Vedic gods to Shakyamuni Buddha upon his attainment of enlightenment. As a result, and out of respect, the symbols are often drawn on the ground to welcome visiting dignitaries to the Center.

The parasol is a traditional symbol of protection from the heat of suffering, desire, obstacles, and illnesses. Because the parasol is held above the head of kings it has come to symbolize respect.

The golden fishes is a traditional symbol of happiness and spontaneity through out India and China. As fish have freedom of movement even in the roughest in water they have come to represent the ability of spiritual seekers to follow the path without distraction or obstacle.

The treasure vase is a symbol of inexhaustible wealth and treasure. Symbolically, vases convey the idea of storage and material satisfaction.

The lotus is a symbol of purity and renunciation. Because the lotus blooms from the sediment it has come to symbolize freedom from the faults of cyclic existence.

The right-turning conch shell symbolizes the proclamation of the Buddhadharma. Conchs have been used as horns to announce victory in battle so have come to represent the suprmeacy of Buddha's teachings.

The endless knot represents Buddha's endless wisdom and the continuity of the twelve links of dependent origination. Representing also the way in which reality exists, tendrel, the individual lines suggest movement, but the pattern as a whole without beginning or end suggests rest.

The victory banner symbolizes Buddha's victory over the four maras and our victory over the defilements. It symbolizes the victory of Buddhist teaching over ignorance and hinderances and the attainment of happiness.

The wheel symbolizes the turning of the dharma at Deer Park in Sarnath, where he first taught the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Noble Path. Buddha's great discourses which took place at Rajghir and Shravasti represent the second and third turning of the wheel.