Lotus in Hinduism

* In Hinduism, the lotus (Sanskrit: padma) represents beauty and non-attachment.

* The lotus is rooted in the mud but floats on the water without becoming wet or muddy. This symbolizes how how one should live in the world in order to gain release from rebirth: without attachment to one's surroundings.

* "One who performs his duty without attachment, surrendering the results unto the Supreme Lord, is unaffected by sinful action, as the lotus leaf is untouched by water."
-- Bhagavad Gita 5.10


* The lotus is associated with several Hindu deities. Krishna is described as the "Lotus-Eyed One," referring to his divine beauty. Brahma and Lakshmi, the deities of potence and wealth, are often seen with the lotus symbol. Other deities associated with the lotus include Vishnu and Sarasvati.

* Finally, the lotus is also a symbol for the centers of consciousness (chakras) in the body.

Egyptians : Lotus

This time let's see the understanding of the Egyptians on lotus, specifically on the blue lotus..

Blue Lotus or Nymphaea Caerulea also known as Sacred Blue Lily of the Nile

Blue Lotus was worshipped by the Egyptians as a visionary plant and was a symbol for the origins of life.
The Egyptians believed that the world was originally covered by water and darkness.

A Blue Lotus sprang up from the water and opened its petals to reveal a young god, a Divine Child. Light streamed from the Divine Child to banish universal darkness.
This child god was the Creator, the Sun God, the source of all life. When the Pharao known as King Tut was entombed, his body was covered in Nymphaea Caerulea (Blue Lotus) flowers.

Looks like there are different understanding on Lotus from different parts of the world, however it does stick to one notion and that is DIVINITY.
That's how our life should be, as divine as the lotus....

Lotus in varities...

The color of the lotus has an important bearing on the symbology associated with it:

• White Lotus (Skt. pundarika; Tib. pad ma dkar po): This represents the state of spiritual perfection and total mental purity (bodhi). It is associated with the White Tara and proclaims her perfect nature, a quality which is reinforced by the color of her body.

• Pink Lotus (Skt. padma; Tib. pad ma dmar po): This the supreme lotus, generally reserved for the highest deity. Thus naturally it is associated with the Great Buddha himself.

• Red Lotus (Skt. kamala; Tib: pad ma chu skyes): This signifies the original nature and purity of the heart (hrdya). It is the lotus of love, compassion, passion and all other qualities of the heart. It is the flower of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion.

• Blue Lotus (Skt. utpala; Tib. ut pa la): This is a symbol of the victory of the spirit over the senses, and signifies the wisdom of knowledge. Not surprisingly, it is the preferred flower of Manjushri, the bodhisattva of wisdom.

Lotus is very symbolic thru divine value, why don't we just be like the lotus. As we are living in this materialistic world, let's just abstain ourselves from the mud of materialism and head towards divinity & enlightenment...towards a peaceful world..a heaven..

p.s:once again pic & info on this posting is derived from other online resources, credits to those who own them.thanks

The evolution of the Lotus in Buddhism

According to the Lalitavistara, "the spirit of the best of men is spotless, like the lotus in the muddy water which does not adhere to it."

According to another scholar, "in esoteric Buddhism, the heart of the beings is like an unopened lotus: when the virtues of the Buddha develop therein, the lotus blossoms; that is why the Buddha sits on a lotus bloom."

The lotus is one of Buddhism's best recognized motifs and appears in all kinds of Buddhist art across all Buddhist cultures. Scrolling lotuses often embellish Buddhist textiles, ceramics and architecture.

Every important Buddhist deity is associated in some manner with the lotus, either being seated upon a lotus in full bloom or holding one in their hands. In some images of standing Buddhas, each foot rests on a separate lotus.

to be continued...

p.s:sources derived from a religious web.credits to it.

The lotus...

Want to know why I am so passionate about Lotus?
Read this & if possible, do get inspired thru it

*in Sanskrit and Tibetan is known as padma

*a very auspicious symbol

*The roots of a lotus are in the mud, the stem grows up through the water, and the heavily scented flower lies pristinely above the water, basking in the sunlight.

This pattern of growth signifies the progress of the soul from the primeval mud of materialism, through the waters of experience, and into the bright sunshine of enlightenment.

*Though there are other water plants that bloom above the water, it is only the lotus which, owing to the strength of its stem, regularly rises eight to twelve inches above the surface.


to be continued....

p.s:pic shown above are just for illustration purpose, credits to the owner,gotten them thru yahoo search.thanks