LOTUS significance in Buddhism.

Question : Dear Mr. White, when the Buddhist temple look up table, see Buddha sitting on a lotus, but frankly I do not understand the meaning of the lotus image like? But when looking at the temple where the lotus is also seen. Would like him to explain to them I understand. I thank you. A : The Buddhist questions about the meaning of the image represents the lotus, it is rational and very interesting. Because the meaning of the lotus, the Buddha explains the very large and very respected maker. We can say the lotus is a characteristic that most scattered in the Buddhist scriptures: Theravada and Development are referring to. A major Sutra of Mahayana Buddhists most of the Mahayana Buddhist chanting more or less over, not only but also the recitation of research interest to learn more, such as the Lotus Sutra,. Apart , the lotus also symbolized through different areas with specific characteristics of each country's culture Buddhist nation. Circuit is for Asian Buddhist countries. For Asian Buddhist countries, notably China and Vietnam ... lotus temple or display through the union flag badges or other insignia of a few unions in Buddhism. As organizations such Buddhist Youth. And in the Buddhist sect Tong took a shower that name for a sect, it's Pure Land, also known as Union Tong. Thus, we find a way to generalize that the pictures lotus in Buddhism it means the stamina to hesitate any important. So, here we explain only a few profiles through a typical characteristic nature hidden meaning in Buddhist teachings only. Dai lotus flowers have 8 wonderful following characteristics: 1. No contamination. 2. Loyalty. 3. Patience. 4. Members use 5. Bar food. 6. Direct Action. 7. Not accidental. 8. Bong real. 1. uninfected Features : lotus flower grows up from the mud though, but its nature is still not bring your smelly mud. Ca Dao Vietnam have all talked about this feature is not contaminated:

In that beautiful dress with lotus
green leaves, white flowers, yellow stamen chen
green leaves, white flowers, yellow pistil
Nearly mud that does not stink of mud.

While lying in the mud through many dates, but showers are still waiting on their reaching out of the water to hatch and then show blooming fragrance, floral fragrance throughout the earth. We see between mud and other flowers irrelevant. Mud is a symbol of defilement, there is the lotus represents purity. This, to say the meaning is deep Bodhisattva Buddha was born, and he is still living in his line, but he was never contaminated. Residential real ceiling is the ceiling infection. On the contrary, we shall have another. We topped it infected. Although each of us has any structure available showers this infection. The lotus is so typical metaphor for each of us to have everyone available Buddhahood. Which Buddha nature which is not contaminated, because of its nature pure wisdom. But because we now stream ignorance that creates guilt and become attached to the ceiling of pollution. It is the first feature. 2. loyalty : loyalty is slang for. A special feature is the lotus that grows anywhere there, then that place is never muddy water. Therefore, when we picked the lotus, it should be washed off, by sticking mud shower. Because of the nature of the punishment it carries audio available. This speaks to the symbolic meaning that, where there buddhas, bodhisattvas born, the place that will bring the peace being cool. Conversely, where there are unscrupulous elements evil, then there is certainly much happens Offences insecurity harms. feature this fidelity, no other flowers. This characteristic, if we apply that skill in practical everyday life, it is also a benefit. Why? Since there are often silent slang defilements, the defilements of the mind lake we clean the food bar. That negativity can not, of course, we will have peace and happiness soon. 3. patience : As we know, the lotus root is sufficient draft, ie a kind of roots sprouting from the previous year . Lotus trait is patience very interesting. Its roots lie in the mud for a long time to wait for the full convergence of conditions it will germinate immediately. The wait, the virtue that is patience. This virtue, needed in daily life of ours. Those who have this virtue of patience, the same as working out what will surely be easy to achieve success. By contrast, it is difficult to attain. Having many when, as a very small job that happens we will not be patient enough to pass, let alone the great work. The life and work can lead to good results, of course, we should have this virtue of patience. If not, it is difficult to succeed in any public areas. So, patience is a virtue at essential qualities of life uplifting uplifting, lotus other rising patiently look so beautiful life. 4. Emptiness List Capacity : Germany this nature, particularly only new Lotus. Because there are lotus petal lotus wrapped round mirror. This is typical sensory qualities of each member being available. Nature park beyond sensory categories of conditions treated. The lotus blooms from time to time to wreak, bees, butterflies do not decay, unlike other flowers with bees and butterflies looking to suck bu beans stigmas. This, said the circular nature park morning feeling very afraid, not being able to target scene pollution damage it. 5. Thanh Luong : Typically test different flowers bloom in the spring, because spring is the season cool. Conversely, we can not bloom in the fall or winter. Since the fall season or winter drizzle, the cold also. Therefore, not suitable for the open bloom flower stigmas. Other than the other flower, the lotus blooms in summer, this is the hot season. This, to say the meaning Bodhisattva Buddha was born in the realm of the five degenerations life, being abundant and disturbing, uncomfortable urgent, he brought the nectar of compassion to cool your watering for everyone . Between the sweltering summer heat, but the air remained hot despite that still emerge to grow up, to say that, although we live in three worlds flames were burning by the fire first sex Hope anger and ignorance ... but we still try to durable patience to overcome suffering through. At the same time the water used for watering Dharma cool your soul. 6. Operations Direct : Direct Action is the only body upright. There is no flower that grows up that body (lotus stem) upright as lotus. This, to represent "the practice needs to be fixed for the mind and body straight." In the Vimalakirti Sutra is saying " Instant Live ashrams mind ". In life and in any circumstances or in any reversible anywhere but straight mind, do not start thinking that the two sides: yes, no, right and wrong, etc. ... even in the midst of marketplaces, where variables, we also that the colon. Ashrama where purity. Thus, virtue is virtue that straight people need to apply Buddhist practice in real life. There is so, then we have the benefit, as the lotus grows from mud straight up and then show that native bloom. 7. Incidentally no : Lotus but straight body, but the gut is empty. This special point to say a very deep sense that religious people need nature petal. Two qualities Bodhisattva always done this. Speaking of well-petal, we immediately think of the Bodhisattva Maitreya.

Maitreya seated abdominal inert rock
dust clinging How did it fall
filled with the default for the
Indifferent as a calm smile.

For Bodhisattva Maitreya things come and go, all only a calm smile. A smile at the sight:

Sharp eyes saw only the
ears hear and do not hear
pointer heart quietly
walked Gently anyone within hearing.

8. Bong real : The other flowers, the brutal new cotton bud to fruit and seeds. In contrast, the lotus is not like that. Lotus has expanded the available mirrors and beads. It is cause and effect simultaneously. This, says a philosophy of life; never causal difference. Causation as a shadow, shape how the ball like that.
So, to be secure for life smells like fresh air, we should remember that the causal behavior of prisoners of Germany, for his benefit and who will I am sure we will have happiness even in real life, do not need to take the wear and where to find it very remote. Nirvana or suffering, after all where our mind only.
above, yet we only present a summary of the main characteristics of the lotus only. In fact, the meaning of the lotus are profound, can not explain it all. However, through 8 on the typical characteristics, it is thought, big enough for us to understand somewhat philosophical and symbolic images lotus in Buddhism.

Nirvana or pain, lingering where our minds only.END=VIETNAMESE TRANSLATE ENGLISH BY THICH CHAN TANH.THE MIND OF ENLIGHTMENT=WORLD VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST ORDER=VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST NUN=GOLDEN LOTUS MONASTERY=AUSTRALIA,SYDNEY.10/9/2013.NAM MO SAKYAMUNI BUDDHA.( 3 TIMES ).