In every stupa, there are giant pairs of eyes on the four sides of the tower. The eyes that look in the four directions symbolize the all-around seeing of Buddha. These eyes are prevalent throughout the country and have become a symbol of peace.
Between the Buddha’s eyes, there is the curly symbol like a question mark which symbolizes the character for number one for unity to reach the enlightenment. The third eye means the all-seeing wisdom of the Buddha.
Eyes Of The Buddha
Buddha is known as the light of Asia and has become the symbol of peace, harmony, wisdom, and conscience. He was a prince in his palace when he left his home to search for the truth and meaning of life.
After many years of medication and travelling to different places, he acquired enlightenment. After this, he started teaching and passing his knowledge to his followers and assisting them to know about the meaning of life and the happiness they get after meeting the needs. These teachings of Lord Buddha have become the principles of Buddhism which later became the world’s renowned religion.
Buddhism spread across the continent of the home of Buddhism and it modified the local culture. Because of this the local people easily followed Buddhism as their religion. There after, the Buddhist arts also flourished in regions like Burma, China, Japan, Thailand, Nepal, etc. These regions have their own styles and variations in Buddhist arts and crafts.
Though there are variations in the styles and arts in different countries, the Buddhist arts remain somewhat similar for all the Buddha images and statues. One of the symbols which represent the same meaning in all countries is the eyes of Buddha.
Meaning Of The Buddha Eyes
Every Buddha stupa from countries like India, Nepal, Thailand, Burma, and China have pairs of eyes in a meditation state enriched with the spiritual aura. This type of style of making the pair of eyes has become a trend in many generations of artists in the Buddha heads and Buddha images.
In Buddhism, there are two types of eyes, first the inner eyes see the world of Dhamma, which is also known as the third eye of Buddha. Similarly, the outer eyes which are also called the material eyes see the outer world.
It is clearly understood that the eyes in the Buddha statues and Buddha’s heads are also of two kinds. The material eyes are the two eyes that see the outer world while the inner eyes or the one which sees the Dhamma one in the middle of the two material eyes. The Buddhists often call the inner eyes the urna.
Eyes Of The Stupa
In stupas, there are giant pairs of eyes that are looking out from the four sides of the stupa. These eyes are also known as wisdom eyes or Buddha’s eyes. These eyes in the stupa symbolize the all-seeing ability of Buddha.
If we use our wisdom eyes then we see the truth and we can fulfill our dreams. But if you become ignorant and do not use our wisdom then we will be cheated, become anxious and suffer a lot in our lives which is called the darkness of life and it can be overcome using our wisdom.
Buddhist Symbols
In the ancient centuries of Buddhism, statues were not used but there were Buddhist arts which consist of images which symbolize the Buddha and his teachings like the lotus, the wheel of the law, the Bodhi tree and Buddha’s footprints. Buddha images represent Buddhism but the early symbols became popular and are frequently used in Buddhist countries like Sri Lanka and Thailand.
When Buddhism spread, the Buddhist symbols were enriched by the cultures of the different country where Buddhism flourished. In Tibet, the rich symbolic tradition developed. These symbols of Tibetan Buddhism are called the Eight Auspicious Symbols which are known as Ashtamangala.
The Eight Auspicious Symbols are copied on the Tibetan prayer flags, Mandalas, and Thangkas. Wheel of life is another symbol which is the symbolic representation of the universe according to the Tibetan Buddhists.
Other important symbols used in Buddhism are the five colours which are white, yellow, red, blue and green. The symbolic hand gestures called mudras are also used as the symbolic representation of Buddhism.
Some Of The Important Buddhist Symbols
1. Bhavacakra( The Wheel Of Life)
It symbolizes the numerous Buddhist themes and teachings and the perspective of Buddhist on life. It also provides information about the Yama who turns the wheel of life and holds it in his hands.
The inner circle of the wheel consists of the symbols of the three root delusions: hatred(snake), ignorance(rooster), and greed(pig). The ring around the center represents the karma with the figures on the left rising to a higher domain of existence and the figures on the right decreasing to a lower domain of existence.
The middle ring of the wheel portrays the six realms of existence and the outer ring shows the 12 links of dependent origination. The old man carrying a burden in the outer ring represents that the birth naturally leads to aging and death.
2. Buddhapada( Footprints Of The Buddha)
The footprints of Buddha are the early representations of Buddha in the ancient stage of Buddhist arts. These footprints are highly available in countries like Sri Lanka and Thailand.
According to Buddhism, it is said that after the Buddha attained enlightenment, his feet made an imprint in the stone where he stepped. It is also said that the newly born Buddha took seven steps after his birth to symbolize the spiritual domination of the universe.
Buddhapada signifies the Buddha’s absence now. The footprints are depicted with the toes of all one length and with a dharmachakra wheel in the center. The sculptures of Buddha’s footprints are usually protected in the special temple structures.
3. Colors In Buddhism
In Tibetan Buddhism, the five colors symbolize the state of mind, a celestial Buddha, a part of the body, a part of the mantra word Hum, or a natural element. There are different meanings for all the colors in Buddhism which have significant importance in this religion.
Black represents the killing and anger, white symbolizes the rest and thinking, yellow denotes the restraining and nourishing, red denotes the subjugation and summoning and the green represents the exorcism in Buddhism. These colors play a significant role in the life of many Buddhists.
4. Dharma Wheel
The wheel is one of the popular Buddhist symbols which represent the teachings of the Buddha. The turning wheel of Dharma represents the rapid spiritual change endangered by the teachings of the Buddha.
Some Buddhists talk about the three basic parts which symbolize the hub represents moral discipline, the spokes represents wisdom and the rim represents training in concentration. These have equal importance in the religion of Buddhism.
5. Eight Auspicious Symbols
The eight auspicious symbols or ashtamangala are a group of lucky symbols that are seen in many Buddhist textiles and paintings.
The Eight Auspicious Symbols Are:
- Parasol (Chattra): royalty and spiritual power.
- Golden fishes: Good fortune, fertility, and salvation.
- Treasure Vase: spiritual and material abundance.
- Lotus: mental and spiritual purity.
- Conch Shell: the fame of Buddha’s teaching.
- Endless Knot: Infinite wisdom of the Buddha.
- Victory Banner: the victory of the Buddha’s teachings.
- Wheel: the teachings of the Buddha.
6. Mudras
Mudras are generally Buddhist hand gestures. These are the gestures used during Buddhist meditation or ritual. These are used to generate the forces that invoke a particular Buddha and are used as Buddha images in many countries in the world. Some of the mudras are Abhaya Mudra, Bhumisparsha Mudra, Dharmachakra Mudra, Dhyana Mudra, and Varada Mudra.
7. Om Mani Padme Hum
- Om refines bliss and pride.
- Ma refines jealousy and needs for entertainment.
- Ni refines passion and desire.
- Pad refines the ignorance and prejudice.
- Me refines poverty and possessiveness.
- Hum refines aggression and hatred.
8. Swastika
The swastika is a cross with four arms and is almost clockwise in Buddhism. It represents the Buddha’s heart and footprints and signifies the good fortune. It is often used as the clothing decoration in Tibetan Buddhism.
9. Triratna
The Triratna represents the three jewels of Buddhism which are the representation of Buddhism in the world. The Triratna also symbolizes the significance of Buddhism and the teachings of the Buddha in the world.
Image Of Buddha Eye
The image of Buddha’s eye represents the wisdom eyes of the Buddha. The Buddhists people will be learning the teachings of the Lord Buddha in unity and will be seeing all round things of the environment. The third eye is associated with religious visions and those who can utilize the third eye are often known as seers.
Conclusion
Buddhists eyes of compassion are a major field to be understood while knowing about Buddhism in the world. Countries like Burma, Sri Lanka, China, and Nepal are major countries where the light of Asia called Gautama Buddha is worshipped and followed by millions of followers.
Published By: Source Nepal
Fourth paragraph : “After many years of medication and traveling … ”
hhmmmm…. perhaps that should read “meditation” ?
Although, some self-medication can indeed help with my own personal meditations 🙂
… and lighthearted proof-reading comments being done with for now, onwars with the heavier stuff
It is too bad though that so many governments and societies work to suppress proper Knowledge of self-medication and entheogens and even meditation itself. Preferring instead to impress ignorance, bigotry, hypocrisy and plain ol general “stoopidity” upon the rest of us. We must watch for such indoctrination to misplace our loyalty and trust – which is precisely why Buddha meditated 😉
I am getting old, and have long been looking forward to Death when it comes to escort me onward. I have traveled and meditated. I have traveled in a submarine, passing “under” the North Pole, and meditated 1000+ feet (300+ meters) underwater while I listened to whale-song carried by thermal-acoustic layers, and I listed to the chattering of shrimp as they swarmed the ocean floor beneath me, and I listened to ice cracking and booming like planetary-cranial thunder, as well as groaning like a Wounded Soul in supreme agony, anticipating the comforting Release Of Eternity.
Om 🙂
In the earliest centuries of Buddhism, statues of the Buddha were not used. Instead, Buddhist art consisted of images symbolizing the Buddha and his teachings, such as the lotus, the Wheel of the Law, the Bodhi tree and the Buddha’s footprints.