Symbols in Buddhism

When we enter a Buddhist monastery or center for the first time, we may wonder why there are so many statues or pictures of different people or why there are so many flowers, and even fruit, on the table at the front of the room.

Actually, everything we see is a teaching aid.

Take the images of Buddhas and bodhisattvas, for example. Buddhas represent the true nature, and bodhisattvas represent cultivation. In some monasteries, we might see a statue or picture of Sakyamuni Buddha flanked by two great arhats, Ananda and Mahakasyapa. Ananda, who was foremost in erudition, represents understanding and wisdom. Mahakasyapa, who was foremost in asceticism, represents practice.

In a Pure Land center we will see an image of Amitabha Buddha flanked by the greatly compassionate Avalokitesvara who represents practice, and Mahasthamaprapta, who was foremost in wisdom and represents understanding.

Even the offerings have educational significance. Why do we offer water? Water is symbolic. Water, which is clean and pure, symbolizes that our minds should be just as clean. It is calm, without a single ripple. This symbolizes that our minds should be just as calm and tranquil. Therefore, when we see the offered water, we should remember to maintain a mind as pure and impartial as the water.

Flowers symbolize “cause,” as the blossoming of flowers results in the bearing of fruit. Flowers represent the Six Paramitas and all practices. Fruit is not offered to Buddhas or bodhisattvas for consumption. Rather, they serve to remind us that if we want the “fruit,” we should first plant its cause.

Lamps symbolize wisdom and illumination. Incense symbolizes the true fragrance of discipline and meditative concentration. Everything is symbolic and educational. Thus, all the facilities and offerings in a Buddhist center serve to remind and educate us. Buddhas and bodhisattvas neither smell nor consume the offerings; they need none of these.

Chanting "Amituofo" in Pure Land Practice

Question: Is it possible to start the practice of Buddha Name Recitation from written instructions only, or does it require personal instruction for an ordained monk?

Response: There is no need to receive specific instructions from a Pure Land monk or nun to practice chanting "Amituofo". As you are chanting, the sound of “Amituofo” arises in your mind. And as you utter “Amituofo,” your mind should concentrate on and embrace that sound. While chanting, do so sincerely and continuously.

There are some other entries that address chanting on the blog. You can click on the  September 3rd and July 30th internals links for some additional thoughts on chanting.

Four Immeasurable Minds: Equanimity

The fourth mind is equanimity, which is letting go. It counters attachment and aversion. It is to stop clinging and to no longer judge or discriminate. It does not mean that we do not love. It means that we love equally and impartially, like a mother who loves all her children. Loving every one of her children, a mother’s love for one child is not lessened. Loving all her children with equanimity does not mean she is indifferent to what her children feel or do. She simply loves them all unconditionally and without expectations.

Equanimity in love is non-possessive. It is like the sun shining on all beings equally. The sun does not differentiate, deciding to shine more on this person and less on that person. Neither does the sun cling to those it shines on. It shines on all it sees with warmth and brightness—equally.

When we can view everyone with equanimity, we will understand that people are who they are. If we expect them to conform to our ideals, we will doom ourselves to disappointment. It would be much better to just accept people as they are, without any of our pre-conceived views and personal judgments. Our only wish should be for them to be free from suffering, and to be happy and filled with joy.

Four Immeasurable Minds: Joy

The third mind is that of joy, which is wanting all beings to be free from unhappiness and being sincerely happy, without any trace of jealousy, when they accomplish this. Joy counters sadness. It is the state of great contentment and ease.

All too often, we wish to control others. We become irritated when they fail to behave as we wish. If others then praise them for their behavior, we become even more frustrated. But we should learn to feel happy for them. If the person is genuinely happy in what they have chosen to do and their actions have not harmed anyone, then, yes, we ought to feel joy for them.

Four Immeasurable Minds: Compassion

The second mind is compassion, which is the wish and intention to alleviate the suffering of others. It counters sorrow and anxiety. It is the unconditional care and concern for all living beings, the ability to realize that all beings experience distress, not just ourselves or those we care for. All too often we find ourselves trying to ease the pain of those we love and care for, but completely disregarding the pain of other people whom we do not care for or even dislike. Ideally, our compassion should be felt equally to all.

This practice can be very powerful. Many of us have someone in our lives who seems determined to cause us problems. But if we take the time to look carefully, we might well see that this person, in turn, has someone in their lives who causes constant difficulties. By beginning to understand this person's situation, we can begin to feel some compassion for his  or her constant distress.

In this and other situations, we can try to have compassion by understanding how the other person is feeling. It is not necessary to have experienced exactly what they are going through, or to become immersed in the situation with them. We will accomplish nothing if we empathize so completely that we are unable to effectively help them. Instead, we need to remain clear in our thinking and reactions.

If someone is drowning, jumping in not knowing how to swim will not help. What we need to do is to save her from drowning. To do this, it is not necessary to experience the same situation as the one she is experiencing. We need to calmly find a way to fix the situation, using our own experience and wisdom to guide us.