Om Mani Padme Hum
The Tibetan Om mani padme hum is the most important mantra in Buddhism. It is the six syllable mantra of the Bodhisattva of compassion Avalokiteshvara. The Dalai Lama is...
The Lotus Symbol in Buddhism
The lotus flower (Sanskrit and Tibetan padma) is one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols and one of the most poignant representations of Buddhist teaching. The roots of a lo...
The Golden Fish
The Golden Fishes symbol (Skt. suvarnamatsya; Tib. gser nya) consists of two fishes, which usually appear standing vertically with heads turned inwards towards each othe...
The Endless Knot
The endless knot (Skt. shrivatsa; Tib. dpal be'u) is a closed, graphic ornament composed of right-angled, intertwined lines. It overlaps without a beginning or an end, s...
The Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism
The Eight Auspicious Symbols (Ashtamangala in Sanskrit) are a group of lucky Buddhist symbols that appear on many Buddhist textiles, objects and paintings. Each symbol r...
Dhyana Mudra
The dhyana mudra may be made with one or both hands. When made with a single hand the left one is placed in the lap, while the right may be engaged elsewhere. The left h...
Dharmachakra (Wheel-Turning) Mudra
Dharmachakra in Sanskrit means 'Wheel of Dharma'. This mudra symbolizes one of the most important moments in the life of Buddha, the occasion when he preached to his com...
Buddhist Wheel Symbol (Dharmachakra)
The wheel (Skt. chakra; Tib. 'khor lo) is one of the most important Buddhist symbols, as it represents the teachings of the Buddha. The Buddha was the one who "turned th...
Conch Shell in Buddhism
The tibetan conch shell (Sanskrit shankha; Tibetan dung dkar) has survived as the original horn trumpet since time immemorial. Ancient Indian epics describe how each her...
Buddhapada: The Buddha’s Footprint
The footprints of the Buddha (Buddhapada) are one of the early representations of the Buddha in the anticonic (no statues) stage of Buddhist art. The Buddhapada are high...