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The following explanation on the eight auspicious signs was translated by Lama Zopa Rinpoche and dictated to me at Root Institute, Bodhgaya, India, on February 4, 2014, wrote Ven. Sarah Thresher. These profound symbols, deeply imbued with meaning and spiritual significance, are often found adorning Buddhist temples and monasteries as well as individual practitioners' homes.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche elucidated the symbolism of these eight auspicious signs, also known as 'srivatsa', 'lotus', 'umbrella', 'sword', 'conch shell', 'less knot', 'mirror wheel', and 'wine flask'. Each emblem holds its own unique significance:
Uning Knot Srivatsa: Symbolizes the Buddha's teachings that continue to emanate from the ground of Dharma.
Flower Lotus: Represents purity, enlightenment, and the unfolding of spiritual understanding.
Vajra Umbrella: Protects its bearer from the external adversities of samsara the cycle of birth and death and spiritually cleanses by subduing one's egoistic desires.
Golden Snake Sword: Emphasizes bravery in wisdom, cutting through delusions, fears, and illusions with the sharp blade of understanding.
Conch Shell: Signifies the Buddha's teachings as a melodious sound that fills the realms of existence, leading beings to liberation from suffering.
less Knot: Symbolizes interconnectedness, continuity, and the unbroken chn of enlightened actions and teachings.
Mirror Wheel Dharmachakra: Represents the turning of the wheel of Dharma, spreading knowledge through teaching and practice.
Wine Flask Soma Flask: Symbolizes the sacred elixir of life, representing longevity, joy, and the blissful experience of living a spiritual life.
These symbols collectively represent the Buddhist path to enlightenment and the flourishing of wisdom and compassion in one's life. Wherever they are found, these auspicious signs create an environment conducive to spiritual growth, peace, and prosperity.
Colophon: Dictated by Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche to Ven. Sarah Thresher at Root Institute, Bodhgaya, India on February 4, 2014. The text has been edited with the assistance of Losang Hursthouse.
Translation Srivatsa is a Sanskrit word that does not have an exact but can be referred to as the 'uning knot'. The other names are self-explanatory based on their meanings within Buddhist iconography.
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