Stupa

The Stupa, which represents the Buddhist universe, is the buddhist sanctuary which is sometimes square or round with spires or steps leading to the capital. The spre or step represents heaven, the top is meant to be the highest peak of Mount Sumaru, a mythical mountain where the Boddhichitta loses itself in sunya. Four dhyani Buddha can be found on the sides of the stupa, Akshobhya,Ratna Sambhav,Amitabha and Amoghasiddhi.

Branches of Buddhism

For two and a half thousand years, people have followed a religion based on the teachings of Buddha, meaning the enlightened one. The main principle of Buddhism isn't to accept fixed beliefs or dogma or even the reality of god (all are of secondary importance) but to help people overcome the difficulties of life and achieve full life. The objective of Buddhism is enlightenment which means to be fully awake to the reality of life, to have an understanding of why there is suffering in the world and how we may overcome it.

There are two main branches of Buddhism , Theravada or Hinayana Buddhism and Mahayana. However there is a common basis to all Buddhism expressed in what is called the Triple Jewel (Tri Ratna).The Buddha(the enlightened one), the Dharma(teaching) and the sangha (community of monks).

Om

Om, the mystic syllable of A-U-M is venerated by the Brahamans as well as by Buddhists.It is written that when all was void the triliteral syllable Aum became Manifest.Adi Buddha at his will proceeded from Om.In that Aum, Adi Buddha who is present in all things formless and passionless, poesses the Triratna.It is also written that Adi Buddha becamemanifest in the greatest Sunyata (void) as the letter A. It was also written that when all was Sunyata, Prajna Devi (Adi Dharma) was revealed out of Akasa with the letter U. The Vija mantra of Sangha is M.Thus the letters A-u-m are the Vija mantra od Buddha.Dharma ans Sangha V. Tri-Ratna.

The Mantra generally begins with hum, the most widely known is, Om mani padme hum.

Himalayas

The Beautiful Himalayas

Kalachakra

The Buddhist mystic mongram,"Kalachakra," is considered extremely lucky when worn and is also placed over doorways as walking under it is believed to bring great Good Karma.

The seven letters, combined with the cresent and full moons and the nada (fly whisk) make up the ten elements that give the emblem its name. The Kalachakra symbol or seed syllable is called, "the ten powerful seeds" The seed syllable is a complex Buddhist monogram the wheel of time, the seven interwined letters (rendered in Lantsa, a Buddhist version of sanskrit which is used for mantras and sacred texts)represent the seven words of the Kalachakra Mantra ,"Ham ksha ma la va ra ra."

ASTAMANGALA

The Astamangala is made up of eight auspicious symbols :WHITE PARASOL:Protects one from evil desires. LOTUS:Symbolizes purity.TWO FISHES: Symbolizes souls being rescued from the ocean of misery of earth's existence.CONCH SHELL:Symbolizes the blessedness of turning to the right and proclaiming the glory of the saints.WHEEL:Symbolizes the heel of the law which turns 12 times or 3 revolutions for each of the four noble truths.It is represented by 8 pokes indicating the 8 fold path of salvation.STANDARD:Signifies the victory of Buddism.VASE:Symbolizes the endless cycle of
ITALIANO
ASTAMANGALA:(Gli otto segni di buon auspicio) L'OMBRELLINO BIANCO:protegge dai desideri malvagi LOTO:simboleggia la purezza 2PESCI: simboleggia l'essere salvato dall'oceano della miseria dell'esistenza terrena. CONCHIGLIA: simboleggia la benedizione di dirigersi nel verso giusto e proclama la gloria dei santi. RUOTA:simboleggia la ruota della legge che gira 12 volte o 3 rivoluzioni per ogni delle 4 nobili verita'. E' rappresentata con 8 raggi indicanti gli 8 sentieri della salvezza. STANDARD: Significa la vittoria del Buddismo VASO: Tesoro di tutte le ricchezze spirituali e contiene inoltre l'AMRITA l'elisir dell'immortalita' NODO SENZA FINE: simboleggia l'eterno ciclo della rinascita VAJRA: Il fulmine o diamante che distrugge tutti i tipi di ignoranza, e che e' indistruttibile.
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OM MANI PADME HUM MANTRA

OM MANI PADME HUMmeans ,Hail the jewel in the lotus. It is a six syllable invocation (Mantra) of Avlokiteswara one who is invoked as the saviour and the protector from danger. Buddhists believe that one who recites this Mantra will be saved from all dangers and be protected. This Mantra is found in every field of Mahayana Buddhism. One can find this Mantra inscribed on rocks, prayer wheels, Chaita walls, loose stones heaped as Mani (jewels) on roads, paths, mountains passes, the approaches and exits of villages. As this Mantra saves from all dangers Buddhists use it as pendant(see photo of Nepalese mantra)rings etc, for protection.