1. Buddhist Symbols

2. Camera Shy…  It is said that the Buddha was reluctant to accept images of himself, as he did not like to be venerated as a person. To symbolise the Buddha in the very early art, one used mainly the Eight Spoked Wheel and the Bodhi Tree, but also the Buddha's Footprints, an Empty Throne, a Begging Bowl and a Lion are used to represent him.

3. The Dharmachakra  has eight spokes, symbolising the Eight-fold Noble Path.  The 3 swirling segments in centre represent the Buddha, Dharma (the teachings) and Sangha(the spiritual community).  The wheel can also be divided into three parts, each representing an aspect of Buddhist practice; the hub (discipline), the spokes (wisdom), and the rim (concentration).  has eight spokes, symbolising the Eight-fold Noble Path.  The 3 swirling segments in centre represent the Buddha, Dharma (the teachings) and Sangha(the spiritual community).  The wheel can also be divided into three parts, each representing an aspect of Buddhist practice; the hub (discipline), the spokes (wisdom), and the rim (concentration).

4. Bodhi Tree  Refers to the tree under which the Buddha achieved enlightenment  Tree worship was already part of the existing culture in India, so the development of the bodhi tree and leaf as a devotional symbol was a natural one.  A Bodhi Tree is grown in Buddhist centres  Refers to the tree under which the Buddha achieved enlightenment  Tree worship was already part of the existing culture in India, so the development of the bodhi tree and leaf as a devotional symbol was a natural one.  A Bodhi Tree is grown in Buddhist centres

5. Buddha’s footprints  The story goes that prior to his death the Buddha left an imprint of his foot on a stone near Kusinara, a reminder of his presence on earth.  The story goes that prior to his death the Buddha left an imprint of his foot on a stone near Kusinara, a reminder of his presence on earth.

6. The Begging-bowl  shortly before the Buddha reached enlightenment, a young woman named Sujata offered him a bowl of milk-rice.  Monks go into the street with their bowl and eat only what is placed in there by others  shortly before the Buddha reached enlightenment, a young woman named Sujata offered him a bowl of milk-rice.  Monks go into the street with their bowl and eat only what is placed in there by others

7. The Lion  one of Buddhism's most potent symbols.  associated with regality, strength and power.  Buddha who tradition has it was a royal prince.  The Buddha's teachings are sometimes referred to as the 'Lion's Roar', indicating their strength and power.  one of Buddhism's most potent symbols.  associated with regality, strength and power.  Buddha who tradition has it was a royal prince.  The Buddha's teachings are sometimes referred to as the 'Lion's Roar', indicating their strength and power.

8. The Lotus  Grows up from the mud through muddy water to blossom  Purification and enlightenment  the stem stands for the practice of Buddhist teachings which raise the mind above the (mud of) worldly existence, and gives rise to purity of mind.  Open blossom enlightenment  Closed blossom potential for enlightenment  Grows up from the mud through muddy water to blossom  Purification and enlightenment  the stem stands for the practice of Buddhist teachings which raise the mind above the (mud of) worldly existence, and gives rise to purity of mind.  Open blossom enlightenment  Closed blossom potential for enlightenment

9. The white elephant  The white elephant here symbolizes perfect wisdom and royal power  In India, an elephant is accounted the most sacred animal on earth.  The white elephant here symbolizes perfect wisdom and royal power  In India, an elephant is accounted the most sacred animal on earth.