8 Symbols in Wood Carving

In Mahayana Buddhism there are eight auspicious symbols (sanskrit: Astamangal) or the eight auspicious and glorious emblems. These symbols appear all together (like picture in right) or single as frequent decorative motif in stone, wood, metal and paintings. In this post I like to show you eight auspicious symbols carved in wood.
These symbols are believed to represent the gifts, given by celestial beings to the Shakyamuni Buddha on his attainment of enlightenment of Buddhahood.

Precious Umbrella
The precious umbrella symbolizes protection and royalty. The shadow protects from the heat and sun, and the coolness of the shade represents protection or preserving beings from the heat of suffering, obstacles, desire, illness and so forth in this life and all kinds of temporary and enduring sufferings of the three lower realms, and the realms of men and gods in future lives. It also represents the enjoyment of a feast of benefit under its cool shade. The parasol dome can symbolize wisdom and the hanging skirt symbolizes compassion.

Right-coiled White Conch
The white conch which coils to the right symbolizes the deep, far-reaching and melodious sound of the Dharma teachings, which being appropriate to different natures, predispositions and aspirations of disciples, awakens them from the deep slumber of ignorance and urges them to accomplish their own and others' welfare.

Victory Banner
The victory banner symbolizes the victory of the activities of one's own and others body, speech and mind over obstacles and negativitities. It was adopted as the symbol of Buddha's enlightenment. It also stands for the complete victory of the Buddhist Doctrine over all harmful and pernicious forces.

Golden Fish
The golden fish symbolizes happiness the auspiciousness of all living beings in a state of fearlessness, without danger of drowning in the ocean of sufferings, and migrating from place to place freely and spontaneously, just as fish swim freely without fear through water.

Dharma Wheel
The golden wheel symbolizes the auspiciousness of the turning of the precious wheel of Buddha's doctrine, both in its teachings and realizations, in all realms and at all times, enabling beings to experience the joy of wholesome deeds and liberation.

Endless Knot(The auspicious drawing)
The Endless Knot symbolizes the mutual dependence of religious doctrine and secular affairs. Similarly, it represents the union of wisdom and method, the inseparability of emptiness and dependent arising at the time of path, and finally, at the time of enlightenment, the complete union of wisdom and great compassion.
Endless Knot is one of the most favorite symbols in Tibetan Buddhism. It is often related to the endless wisdom of Buddha and it is also significant for the interaction of opposing forces leading to their union and harmony in the universe. The symmetrical shape of the knot signifies all these things and arouses the curiosity of those who are passionate about wearing Tibetan jewelry. Giving someone Tibetan gift representing an Endless Knot, it signifies a connection between the giver and the receiver. It is also a reminder that the roots of every future positive effect are found in the present.

Lotus Flower
The lotus flower symbolizes purity, It is able to grow and blossom from the muddy water, and therefore is a symbol of divine generation. the complete purification of the defilements of the body, speech and mind, and the full blossoming of wholesome deeds in blissful liberation. Deities are often depicted holding a lotus as a symbol of their purity, compassion, renunciation and perfection of qualities.

Vase of Treasure
The treasure vase or (sanskrit: Kalash) symbolizes an endless rain of long life, wealth and prosperity and all the benefits of this world and liberation.

Eight Auspicious Symbols are usually displayed during the all good ceremonies. i.e.: consecration of house, fire sacrifice, wedding, etc.
Read Meaning in Thai สื่อความหมายของ "อัฐมังคลา" หรือมงคล 8 ประการ

Wooden Carved Arts

We have learned and see many Nepalese and Tibetan Arts such as metal statues, Thanka paintings, Pashmina shawls and more in this blog. Today i will show you some Wooden Carved Art.

Wood carving is another art that traces Nepalese culture. These wood carving art can be seen in the form of many Hindu and Buddhist gods, goddess and Buddha statues, many different type of windows and religious symbols etc. from its early beginnings right up to modern times. Highly skilled and capable wood carver in Nepal today continue to use techniques and tools unchanged over the centuries. If you have been in Nepal you will find most of the wood carving that have survived throughout Nepal around temples and other heritage sites are from the thirteenth to eighteenth century Malla period.

So We have brought Some Wood Carvings Statues, Auspicious Symbols and Some wooden prayer table. Visit our gallery to See this beautiful wood carvings. we also sell this wood carvings in very special prices that you won’t believe.
Below are just only few wood carving from our Collection. click the pictures to see its detail.

Medicine Buddha and his mantra

Bhaisajyaguru, also known as the Master of Healing or Medicine Buddha, is the Buddha of healing. His full name means "Medicine Master" or the "master of remedies". In Mahayana Buddhism, Bhaisajyaguru represents the healing aspect of the historical Buddha Sakyamuni, who has attained the state of perfect enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings.

In Tibetan images of the Medicine Buddha, his body is a deep royal blue as sky in colored surrounded by a halo of rainbow light. His holy sky body signifies omniscient wisdom and compassion as huge as limitless space and is particularly associated with healing both mental and physical suffering.

His right hand faces outward, symbolizing his bestowal of boons and holds a spring of aurora, or cherubic Myrobalan, from which much of Tibetan medicine is compounded. Tibetan medicine recognizes three basic types of illness, the root causes of which are the conflicting emotions -- passion, aggression, and ignorance. Myrobalan is the only herb in the Tibetan medicine that can aid in healing each of these three types of diseases. In his left hand he holds a bowl containing three forms of ambrosia: the nectar that cures disease and resurrects the dead; the nectar that counteracts aging; and the supreme nectar that illuminates the mind increases knowledge.

The practice of the medicine Buddha is very powerful, not only for healing diseases, but for purifying the negative karma of those who recover from illness and those who dies of it. This practice is also powerful for bringing success, temporary as well as ultimate. Making a connection with him, practicing meditation, reciting his mantra or even just saying his name helps us achieve inconceivable benefits

Short version of the Medicine Buddha Mantra, which is known as the Medicine Buddha Heart Mantra, is:

Tayata, Om, Bhaishaye Bhaishaye Maha-Bhaishaye Raja Samudgate, Svaha.
or, pronounced the Tibetan way:
Tayata, Om, bekandzeh, bekandzeh maha-bekandzeh, radza samungateh. Soha.

Meaning Of Mantra
Tadgataya: means once came
Bekandze: means great eliminating of pain, The second "bekandze" eliminates all the true cause of suffering.
The third maha bekandze "great eliminating" refers to eliminating even the subtle imprints left on the consciousness by disturbing thoughts.
Om is composed of three sounds, ah, o, and ma, and signify the Medicine Buddha's completely pure holy body, holy speech, and holy mind.
Samudgate: means the supreme heights. Like this my prayer shall go to the highest and the widest and the deepest.
Svaha: I offer this prayer and relinquish to you Medicine Buddha
'May all beings benefit from the sublime love and power of Medicine Buddha'.




Long version of the Medicine Buddha Mantra in Sanskrit:

Om namo bhagavate bhaisajyaguru vaidūryaprabharājāya vathāgatāya arhate samyaksambuddhāya tadyathā: om bhaisajye bhaisajye bhaisajya-samudgate svāhā

Another version of the long mantra is as follows:

Om namo bhagavate bhaisajyaguru vaidūryaprabharājāya tathāgatāya arhate samyaksambuddhāya tadyathā: om bhaisajye bhaisajye mahābhaisajye bhaisajye rāja samudgate svāhā

Ven. Thrangu Rinpoche has said that a mantra is essentially an elaboration on the deity's name, and that any mantra is the shortest possible form of the sadhana.

Source Bhaisajyaguru at Wiki , พระไภษัชยคุรุไวฑูรยะประภาราชพุทธเจ้า .
Ani Choying Drolma - Seven Line Guru Rinpoche Prayer

Read about The Vajra Seven-Line Prayer to Guru Rimpoche