Lotus
Flower of the Immaculate Buddhist World
David A. Mason | Wrter
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| A lotus flower |
The lotus belongs to the water lily family. It is one of the most common motifs in Buddhist temples. Indeed, depictions of it are found almost everywhere: in paintings and statues of buddhas and bodhisattvas seated on lotus pedestals, on altars and ceilings in buddha halls, on pagodas and even on roof tiles. To the casual observer, the lotus may appear to be a mere adornment, but it has profound symbolism in the Buddhist world.
In Buddhism the lotus is a symbol of the true inherent nature of all beings which remains untainted by the mud of the world and can be realized through enlightenment. Traditionally, the lotus is a very important symbol in India and in Buddhism. The lotus was ascribed with special meaning even in ancient Indian mythology.
The lotus flower grows in muddy water and rises above the surface to bloom with remarkable beauty. It closes and sinks underwater at night but rises to open again at dawn. Untouched by impurities, the lotus symbolizes the purity of heart and mind.
In such Mahayana Buddhist texts as the Lotus Sutra, the lotus is emphasized as the symbol of a bodhisattva, a model practitioner of the Mahayana tradition who dedicates his/her life entirely to the salvation of others.
In the same way that lotus plants are rooted in muddy water while their beautiful blossoms rise above it, likewise a bodhisattva forgoes nirvana to remain in the “mud” of samsara (the cycle of birth and death) to save others. They remain pure in mind and free from suffering because they realize the inherent emptiness of all phenomena, thus remaining detached.
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| Lotus motif on the carved wooden doors of a Korean temple hall |
The lotus is an apt metaphor for our own spiritual path and the acts of a bodhisattva. The lotus represents the fact that even if we are ignorant, we should have hope and persevere in our practice to become a bodhisattva, and eventually we will realize that we are inherently already buddhas, even though we may not be aware of it at the moment.
The lotus is a symbol of the complete purification of thought, word, and deed, and the blossoming of wholesome action. The white blossom represents purity, the stem stands for the practice of Buddhist teachings which raises the mind above worldly existence, and gives rise to the purity of mind. An open blossom signifies full enlightenment; a closed blossom signifies the potential for enlightenment.
In Korea, a nationwide Lotus Lantern Festival that emphasizes this symbolism is held every spring. It usually begins in May, the month the Buddha was born. The lotus lantern itself signifies the removal of our ignorance with the light of awakening.
On Buddha’s Birthday the lotus lanterns light up every temple, and everyone can go attach a “tail” to the lanterns by writing the names of family members, friends or departed ones. In this way they remember those dear to them and offer good wishes for their future. As the lanterns are so beautiful and such fun to make, this has now become a national festival.
Prior to Buddha’s Birthday, tens of thousands of people gather in downtown Seoul to march in a parade carrying brightly lit lanterns. In recent years the festival has taken on a more international feeling with foreign residents and tourists joining the celebration. In fact, the event has been voted by foreigners as the best annual festival in Seoul for several years now. Brilliant lights, lanterns, and floats create a rich, colorful display of the striking style of Korean Buddhist culture. Traditional music and dance accompany the procession of lanterns with both having significant meaning.
The handmade lanterns themselves are another Buddhist symbol that appears in the festival. It symbolizes the bright light of Buddha’s teachings, our sincere wish for enlightenment, and the liberation of all beings from suffering. From ancient times the lantern has been a necessity in human life to expel the darkness.
In Buddhism, the light from a lantern has religious significance. Such Buddhist scriptures as the Flower Garland Sutra and the Lotus Sutra record the spiritual efficacies of offering the light of a lantern. Even now on Buddha’s Birthday, Buddhists make much of the offerings of bright light that emanate from every corner of the temple. The light from a lantern contains the aspirations of the people who desire that all sentient beings be saved through the light of Buddha’s wisdom.
Dragons also appear in the Lotus Lantern Festival and are found in many temple artworks, such as Buddhist paintings and architecture. Basically, dragons signify the power to ward off evil spirits. Korean dragons are creatures from Korean mythology and folklore. Although generally comparable with Chinese dragons in appearance and symbolic significance, Korean dragons have unique culture-specific properties that differentiate them from dragons in other cultures. Whereas most dragons in European mythology are generally related to the elements of fire and destruction, dragons in Korean mythology are mostly viewed as benevolent beings related to water and agriculture, often considered harbingers of rain and clouds. Hence, many Korean dragons are said to reside in rivers, lakes, oceans, or even deep ponds in the mountains.
Photography by Jang Myeong-hwoak
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