Illustrations
of the Teaching
The
main example of this category is the wheel of life (S.: bhavacakra;
T.: sipa khorlo; Tt.: srid pa ‘knor lo). The wheel of life
is unique in that it portrays the totality of the Buddhist teaching
concerning samsara. This is particularly essential in that understanding
the psychological nature of samsara is the working basis of the
path, the first step toward enlightenment. Other forms in this category
are sets of symbols of various kinds. The heap of five sense-organs
stands for the five sense-consciousnesses arranged as an offering.
The “eight auspicious symbols” are emblematic of the
basic nature of the Buddhist teaching. The ornament of the “triple
gem” stands for the buddha, the dharma and the sangha (community
of the teaching). There are many traditional ornaments considered
as symbols of the auspicious and beneficial nature of some aspect
of the buddhadharma.
back
to top
...........................................................................................................................................................................................................
Essay © 1975 Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche
copyright © 2003 Shelly and Donald Rubin Foundation
|
