What is the meaning of the lotus flower in Buddhism?
The lotus is an aquatic plant that is central to the art of Indian religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism.
A lotus throne is a base for a figure in Asian art.It is a normal place for divine figures in Buddhist, Hindu and Jain art.It followed Indian religions to East Asia.
Hinduism reveres it with the divinities Vishnu and Lakshmi often depicted on a pink lotus in iconography; historically, many deities sit on stylized lotus thrones.There is a lotus on the representation of Vishnu as Padmanabha.The goddess is depicted on a lotus.The lotus is both a symbol of immortality and of divine perfection.The sun and fire gods are attributed to the lotus.In Tantric and Yogic traditions the lotus is depicted as a thousand-petaled lotus of enlightenment at the top of the skull, signifying the realization of inner potential.[2]
Vishnu is often referred to as the Lotus- Eyed One.The expansion of the soul can be seen in the lotus's unfolding petals.There is a spiritual promise to the growth of its pure beauty.lotus flowers are often depicted as the seats of other deities in Hindu iconography.
One who performs his duty without attachment, surrendering the results unto the Supreme Lord, is unaffected by sin as the lotus is untouched by water.
In the Aguttara Nikya, the Buddha compares himself to a lotus, saying that the lotus flower raises from the muddy water unstained, as he grows from this world.[6][7]
In Buddhist symbolism, the lotus represents purity of the body, speech and mind, as if floating above the murky waters of material attachment and physical desire.The legend says that the first steps made lotus flowers appear everywhere.In Tibet, the Second Buddha is known as the Lotus- Born, having brought Buddhism to that country by conquering or converting local deities.Most important figures in Buddhist art are on lotus thrones.
The founding fathers of Jainism are depicted on lotus thrones.The symbol of a lotus is also represented by his name.In Sanskrit, it means 'bright as a red lotus'.According to vetmbara sources, his mother had a fancy for a couch of red lotuses when he was a baby.[2]
The Lotus Temple in New Delhi, India was designed by the international Bah Faith community.[13]