Iconography

The front has two strong Snow Lions floating above the earth, half way between the cosmos and the practitioner, working on the practitioner's behalf. Their strength is evident in the powerful abdominal and pectoral muscles.  They are holding aloft an alms bowl filled with Cintamani with the elephants tusks at both sides. The Snow Lion is the national emblem of Tibet.  It resides in the East and represents unconditional cheerfulness, a mind free of doubt, clear and precise.  Other associations include a primary quality of fearlessness in addition to dominance over mountains and the earth element.  The Snow Lion has a beauty and dignity resulting from a body and mind that are synchronized.  It also has the youthful, vibrant energy of goodness and a natural sense of delight.  Sometimes the throne of a Buddha is depicted with eight Snow Lions on it.  In that case, they represent the eight main Bodhisattva - disciples of Buddha Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha.  Cintamani, in Buddhism, are jewels symbolizing the importance of teaching & represent the enlightened mind.  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 altar's sides display a Giant Lotus blossom with a gold center. Below this are flaming Cintamani, the King's and Queen's earrings,  elephant tusks, a Bilva fruit and a multi colored bag with more jewels of wisdom pouring out. The lotus is an important Buddhist motif since images of the Buddha and other important deities often are seen seated on a lotus throne. The growth of the lotus, its roots in mud & growing through water to emerge as a wonderful plant above the surface, is seen as analogy of the soul’s path from the mud of materialism to the air of enlightenment.  Just as the lotus blossom rises above the mud and is beautiful, so must you raise your thinking out of the mud with pure, clean thoughts that are noble and praiseworthy.  Then, you also will be beautiful. The Three Jewels represents the three jewels of Buddhist teaching: Body, Speech and Mind. 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.   

The top of the altar has three Bilva fruit with grass radiating from it.  Bilva fruit, also known as the Bengal quince.  Medicinally it 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 is the Buddha Amoghasiddhi, which is motivation or will as the faculty of taste symbolized by the fruit. 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 lifespan will allow greater progress in moving towards enlightenment within a given cycle. The flames around the border of the top are symbolic of the burning away of false desires and ignorance, giving way to enlightenment.