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The White Conch Symbol in Tibetan Buddhism

A right-spiraled conch is a rare find and is considered sacred in Buddhism. Its direction is thought to be consonance with the movement of celestial bodies in the universe. Curiously, the whorls of hair on the Buddha’s head are right-directional; so is his body hair and the curl between his eyebrows. His navel too, is shaped like the right turning conch shell.

Today, the conch is used as a summons to prayer. During rituals, it is used to hold holy water and as a musical instrument. The conch proclaims the widespread influence and sovereignty of Buddha’s teachings. It is emblematic of great spiritual power and its resonance is thought to cast out evil spirits.

The Lotus Symbol in Tibetan Buddhism

The lotus is called padma in both Sanskrit and Tibetan. Rooted in muddy slime, the lotus rises through water to emerge into the sun, a progress that mirrors the journey of man’s soul. Mired in suffering and sin, we pass through varied experiences before emerging into the sun of enlightenment. Many plants grow above water; it is only the lotus whose sturdy stem allows it to clear the water surface and stand steadfast.

It is said that our hearts are like the closed petals of a lotus. Imbibing Buddhist virtues will enable the lotus to blossom into its full beauty. This is why the Buddha is often depicted seated on a lotus.

The white lotus represents purity of mind and an evolved spirit. The pink lotus is matchless in its perfection and therefore emblematic of the Buddha himself. A blue lotus is symbolic of the spirit’s conquest of the senses, while a red bloom is associated with Avalokiteshwara, the Compassionate One.

Buddhist Quote

"If you light a lamp for somebody, it will also brighten your own path"

Zen Quote

Student says

"I am very discouraged. What should I do?"

Master says

"encourage others."

The Wheel of Dharma

The eight-spoke wheel Dharmachakra (chos kyi in Tibetan), also known as the Wheel of Law is among the oldest and best known of Buddhist symbols, going back to the time of the great Buddhist king Asoka in India.

The wheel in its entirety encapsulates the Buddha’s teaching.  Its eight spokes represent the Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path, which leads to the spiritual enlightenment of all sentient beings. The circular shape invokes the idea of perfection – following the path of dharma is the best way out of the endless cycle of samsara.  The hub of a wheel is its focal point.  Here, it stands for inner discipline which is the essence of meditation practice. The rim of the wheel connects the spokes and holds together the entire structure. This is mindfulness (Samadhi) or ‘living in the moment’ a cornerstone of Buddhist teachings.

The forward motion of the wheel points to the spread of the Buddha’s doctrine. Ever since Sakyamuni expounded on his doctrine of enlightenment, the Wheel of Dharma has never stopped rolling,  from India through virtually all of Asia and in modern times, the West as well. Many Asian countries have incorporated the Dharmachakra into their national flags.
 

Endless or Infinite Knot Symbol in Tibetan Buddhism

Dharma is continuous and inexorable, while Time is but an illusion. The Knot of Infinity symbolizes that truth. The search for enlightenment need not mean giving up worldly responsibilities. The Knot is a representation of the Buddha’s teaching that religious thought and material life are intertwined.

The Infinite Knot is a line without a beginning or end that radiates both calm and movement. It represents the idea that everything in this world in interconnected.

It is also symbolic of the Buddha’s infinite compassion. Originally, this symbol was associated with Vishnu and his abiding love for his consort Lakshmi, goddess of wealth. You can find the endless knot symbol on various inspirational products such as endless knot pendant, endless knot decor and more.

The Golden Fish: Auspicious Sign in Tibetan Buddhism

As human beings, we must live through samsara, or the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth that entails suffering at every stage. The Buddha’s teachings set us on the path to liberation from samsara; the golden fish is a symbol of that liberation, a creature of joy, at one in its element, living a life of spontaneity with no pain or fear of perishing in self-created suffering.
 
The fish symbol is significant in Hinduism, Jainism and Christianity. In Buddhism, the fish also represents fertility and plenitude. It is often beautifully depicted as a carp, which in Asia is considered sacred because of its elegance, size and long lifespan.
 
Essentially, the golden fish is an aspirational symbol, teaching man that the spiritual bliss which lies beyond samsara is infinitely more beautiful than anything he can experience in earthly life.