Seeking explanation of this image's iconography
score:5
The things I'm sure about - it's tough to see everything with the picture size, but this is a depiction of the Buddha's moment of enlightenment. The fingers pointed down and the palm up are the "world witnessing" mudra - the Buddha's response to Mara the tempter when asked who would bear witness to his spiritual accomplishments. The naked women on the lower right are Mara's three daughters - craving, passion, and antagonism (Tanha, Raga, Arati) who came to tempt the Buddha. All the wacky looking beasts raging around the Buddha is Mara's army.
Less sure about - the "Buddha" up top is probably Maitreya - the Buddha who will supposedly follow the Shakyamuni. I'm thinking maybe the folks in the two upper corners are depictions of the six paramitas (giving, concentration, energy, virtue, patience, wisdom)? No idea about the stuff at the bottom. Maybe that's Dipankara (the Buddha before the current one) in the middle with the attendants?
PS - This should be a comment, but I don't have enough text space!
More post
- π Is there a source for the story about the sun being covered by the cloud?
- π Can I adapt Buddhaβs teachings into science?
- π Explaining the 6th fetter?
- π Is better sati cause to better memory?
- π Why should I study the Suttas?
- π Should a person never lie?
- π Why we must have a confident mind?
- π Is fourth precept personal and depends on the individual?
- π Why is fasting allowed in Buddhism?
- π How much faith do you need to become a buddhist?
- π What does craving feel like?
- π Do lay Buddhists ever wear distinguishing clothing or jewellery?
- π What is the antidote for conceit (mana)?
- π Why are so many Buddhists in the west hostile to academic analyses of the religion?
- π Why is it that I always experience sleep paralysis (suffocating) very often?
- π Who said "life is suffering"?
- π How should I stop my craving for money and people?
- π What is the meditation benefits of jhana?
- π Are the positive qualities of enlightenment ultimate or conventional realities?
- π Any research on the authorship of the Avatamsaka Suttra?
- π Time period between Buddhas
- π Is allowing or seeking detachment a bad karmic influence vis a vis rebirth?
- π Vesak 2561/2017 TODAY Where in western world can traditional & benefical celebrations be aspected?
- π Distractions during practice ( Goenka)
- π Why did the Buddha teach how to escape Samsara if there is no soul?
- π Other than physical form which characteristics define a woman?
- π Isn't it insane Bodhidharma cut his own eyelids?
- π Reference for the teaching of not-self
- π How to meditate before going to bed and after waking up?
- π Is there any Proof of No-Rebirth?
Source: stackoverflow.com
Search Posts
Related post
- π Seeking explanation of this image's iconography
- π Seeking sources on -- practicing for this life alone is not even Dharma
- π Is this a right explanation of phenomena of enlightenment by Osho?
- π If Buddha stayed unanswered on this matter, why do his followers preach that soul doesn't exist?
- π "Guard the sense doors"- What does this mean, and what is it's application?
- π Can all human beings potentially be enlightened in this lifetime?
- π If A is killed by B due to A's past karma of killing B, will B suffer from this karma of killing A?
- π Is this considered insight?
- π It is said that arahants never dream. What are the textual sources for this claim?
- π Is there any explanation on why only humans and animals do not remember previous life?
- π In a Buddhist perspective how do we recall memories of this life and beyond?
- π When seeking information is sarcasm seen as a deliberate lie?
- π How does kamma create a new set of aggregates for a rebirth; how do the mechanics of this process work?
- π Can a human being reside both in this world and Nirvana at the same time?
- π How did this material world come into existence if the ultimate reality is voidness?
- π Ajahn Brahm stated that he ate snakes and frogs during his training, does this mean that it is acceptable to kill animals?
- π Seeking guidance on avoiding meditation distractions and sluggishness
- π SΕ«karakhata sutta and the "arahants seeking benefits they already have"
- π Is there any buddhist explanation for deja vu?
- π Is this a Buddhist poem?
- π The formless jhanas in this world
- π What number Jataka tale does this story come from?
- π Iconography in Buddhism - from the Greeks? And why isn't the Buddha bald?
- π What does the Buddha mean by this quote? "There is no punishment for anger. It is the anger which will punish you."
- π Why Salayatana is ommitted in this mode of Dependent Origination?
- π My explanation of six realms of existence
- π How Lord Buddha's Way Make Me Out Of This Depression!
- π Does Buddhism apply to this formula for Christianity?
- π Can you help me identify this English translation of The Gateless Gate?
- π Can someone address this critique?