Buddhism Study for Buddhist Family Group

During this course, Reverend Thich Tam Dao, deputy abbot of Hoang Phap Pagoda, explained the meaning of eight-petaled lotus in Buddhism as following:

1. Innocence: Lotus grows from mud without being affected by dirtiness.

2. Purification: lotus can even purify the water in the area where it grows.

3. Gentle perfume: lotus flower perfumes the air with gentle and elegant aroma that is neither too strong nor heavy.

4. Pureness: this is the kind of flower that no insect, as bee or butterfly…, can touch.

5. Patience: lotus starts its life cycle as a silent sprout from the muddy bottom of the swamp, then leafing on the surface of the water and flowering above the water. It is a process of great patience getting through toughness and obstacles.

The logo of the Buddhist Family group is the eight-petaled white lotus on the green circle background with the following meanings:

1. White Lotus: represents the light of enlightenment, the absolute purity of Buddhism.

2. Eight-petaled lotus:

a) The five upper petals of the lotus represent the five merits of the Five Buddhas and Bodhisattvas (and also for every Buddha/ Bodhisattvas) as below mentioned. We, Buddhists, should cultivate and practice these five merits daily.

+ Wisdom (first petal from left) represents the merit of Manjushri Bodhisattva.

+ Detachment with ease (second petal from left) represents the merit of Maitreya Buddha (the Buddha to-be).

+ Diligent Effort (middle petal): represents Buddha Shakyamuni’s merit.

+ Pureness (fourth petal from left): represents the merit of Amita Buddha.

+ Compassion (fifth from left) represents the merit of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva.

b) 3 lower petals of the lotus:

+ Middle petal: Buddha;

+ Left petal: Dharma

+ Right petal: Sangha

3. Circle: represents the thorough perfection of Buddhism without any obstacles.

4. Green: represents the hope and youth.

Via the Dharma talk, The Reverend helped Buddhists understand the sacred meaning of the lotus symbol in Buddhism.

In the afternoon, administration board of Hoang Phap Pagoda had the regular meeting.

The following are the recorded photographs:

 

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