Iconography

The front has two leopards looking to the Pure Lands. In the background are mountains, cumulus clouds and pleasant fauna. Underneath the left leopard are yogurt and Cintamani. The  Leopard's spots  resemble (according to Tibetans) the female vagina, consequently the flayed skin of the leopard is more commonly worn by dakinis or wrathful goddesses as a skirt or apron.  The large cat skins are most frequently associated with the wrathful deities, Mahakala is usually seen with the tiger skin wrapped around his waist.  Victory banners and the asama or meditational seats are also adorned with leopard skins, as are bow quivers. The Cintamani represents the three jewels of Buddhist teaching: Body, Speech and Mind.

The altar's sides display the Parasol, one of the eight Auspicious Symbols. The Parasol is floating over Cintamani, elephant tusks and the King's and Queen's earrings. The King's and Queen's heavy earrings are taken as a symbol of comprehension of the Buddha’s teachings.  The weight of the earrings would have caused the wearers earlobes to elongate.  The long earlobes of the Buddha are a symbol of his detachment from all things earthly. Elephant tusks are symbolic of the whole elephant.  The Precious Elephant is a symbol of the strength of the mind in Buddhism.  Exhibiting noble gentleness, the precious elephant serves as a symbol of the calm majesty possessed by one who is on the right path.  Specifically, it embodies the boundless powers of the Buddha, which are miraculous aspiration, effort, intention, and analysis.   The flames around the border of the Cintamani are symbolic of the burning away of false desires and ignorance, giving way to enlightenment.   

The top's 1st layer features Bilva fruit. Bilva fruit, also known as the Bengal quince, is shown here with Durva grass radiating out in the top layer.  Medicinally, Bilva is a potent astringent and highly regarded for its purifying qualities in traditional Indian folk medicine.  The unripe interior of the fruit, especially when made into a jam, was the best known cure for diarrhea and dysentery.  It is regarded as one of the most sacred fruits and serves as one of the main offering fruits.  In this offering of Bilva fruit, representing the sense-offering of taste, the Buddha Amoghasiddhi is manifested as motivation or will. Durva grass is a symbol of long life.  Because grass is highly resilient, it is believed to be immortal.  Therefore, it proclaims the end of samsara, the successive death and rebirth of all beings  It usually takes a long time to overcome samsara, and a longer life span will allow greater progress in moving towards enlightenment within a given cycle.  

The bottom layer of the top has small Double Dorjes. The Double Dorje is an epiphany, a sudden realization;  Dorje (Tibetan) thunderbolt, or double diamond, ("visvavajra" in sanskrit). Its four heads represent the four Dhyani Buddha. Of these, it is associated primarily with Amoghasiddhi, lord of the north, the Karma Family Buddha, whose name means "Unfailing Accomplishment."  The double Dorje represents the indestructibility of all phenomenal essence.  It serves as a symbol of harmony, immutability, and all -knowingness.

An expanded Iconography will be supplied upon purchase