Iconography

The back offering-gallery has a classically done Dharma wheel with a perfectly executed yin-yang symbol in the center.  Going out from the Dharma Wheel are alternating spirals of stylized Kusha grass going clockwise and counter clockwise in a multitude of colors and is: reaching to the side galleries with the tip of a silk ribbon. The side gallery is rainbows and multicolored rocky mountains. This wave is also featured with the lotus through out the art on this piece. The combinations of colors used represents the elements and thoughts that come into play. . In three parts, the Dharma wheel exists as a hub, the center of the world.  The 8 spokes denote the 8 paths to enlightenment. These 8 steps work together, not separately.  1. right understanding . 2. right attitude  3. right speech  4. right action  5. right work    6. right effort  7. right mindfulness  8. right meditation  The rim represents the attribute of limitation.  All are contained within a circle, which is perceived to be perfect and complete, like the teachings of the Buddha. Kusha grows to a height of two feet and is used to purify defilements; those wishing purification will sleep in a field or patch of kusha grass to acquire ritual purification.  Kusha grass under a pillow at night before initiation is used to produce clear dreams; it is also used in Buddhism to enhance the clarity of visualization and meditation. Kusha is the grass of choice  to manufacture sacred meditation mats. The rainbow is eternity’s expression of momentary delight. This is Auspicious and takes on a supernatural meaning: the demise of a great teacher and his rebirth.  Rainbows materialize and dissolve into nothingness, and in Tibetan tradition, it is the “Body of Light” or the “Rainbow Body”  and refers to a great master who has attained Mahamudra and no longer perceives the world as a conceptual concrete dimension; rather, he now permeates space as mist, also known as the ultimate form of reality. The self is now permeating space with luminescence transparency, with nothing solid or any sharp lines of separation.
    The two front  panels on either side of the door show a lotus flower  coming out of the Inexhaustible Treasure jar with lots of multi-colored Durva grass for decorations.   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.  Grass also has another meaning;  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 Inexhaustible Treasure jar aka the vase or urn (kalasa) promises the good fortune of spiritual and material fulfillment, symbolizing the treasure of spiritual wealth.  Among those treasures is the jewel of enlightenment. It also extends to the material side and it is characteristic of the deities that symbolize prosperity.
     The door has a large lotus with flaming Cintamani positioned over it: here again the lotus is coming out of the Treasure Jar. The jar is flanked by multi-colored cliffs. These are then set in the wave or mahamudra mists with plenty of durva grass dancing around. Cintamani are wish-granting jewels and additionally represent wisdom.  When depicted in sets of 3, they represent the body, speech and mind of Buddha such as the practitioner may possess.  Cintamani are also referred to as the “Thinking Jewel” and symbolize the importance of teaching and as well as the enlightened mind. Pictured here are 6 flaming jewels. The rock/cliff formation represents the the syllable "E" which appears in the opening stanza of early Buddhist scriptures, ("'thus,' I have heard"). The blue, red and green cliffs represent the unmoving nature of the mind when enlightenment has been attained. The tops of these cliffs have Kusha grass growing out of them. The billowing clouds or mist are Mahamudra: the union of compassion and wisdom -- the ultimate realization of one’s true nature.  They are represented as the transformation of our vices into the 4 powers of regret, vow, reliance, and remedy, so the practitioner will realize purification and enlightenment.  This is also the basic meaning of the "Heart Sutra." This door is the most complex door of any water offering cabinet. The top of the door has a six syllable mantra; OM MANI PADME HUM. The  6 syllables are the famous mantra of Avalokiteshvara, which is sometimes explained as ”The jewel in the heart of the Lotus.” The first OM refers to Buddha’s body, speech & mind, as in possessing this oneself; the MA of MANI is a jewel or treasure, (wisdom/thinking). The NI of the MANI is the altruistic mind. PADMI is the lotus flower, the nature of reality of Buddha’s wisdom. HUM is the determination & resolution to acquire & retain these qualities. The blessing on the bottom of the door translates as "May you obtain fortune, prosperity and perfection, may ultimate peace often be your way (belong to you):: may your body speech and mind stay peaceful." ~~A complete Iconography explaining the rest of the door will be provided upon purchase.~~