Bodhisattva

Called padma in both Sanskrit and Tibetan, the lotus flower is a cherished symbol across multiple Eastern traditions. Growing naturally in ponds, the lotus starts out rooted deep in mud and scum. In order to blossom, it must make its way through the murky water until it finally breaks the surface. In time it emerges and blooms in the sun, beautiful and whole.

Because of its unique transformation, the lotus has long been regarded as a symbol of enlightenment, purity, rebirth, and triumph over obstacles.

In Buddhism, the journey of the lotus is said to mirror our own spiritual journeys. The Buddha compares himself to a lotus, saying that the lotus flower raises from the muddy water unstained, as he raises from this world, free from the defilements taught in the specific sutra. In Buddhist symbolism, the lotus represents purity of the body, speech and mind, as if floating above the murky waters of material attachment and physical desire. According to legend, Gautama Buddha's first steps made lotus flowers appear everywhere he stepped.

The lotus flower is considered auspicious for its ability to rise from the dirty, murky waters to bloom into a beautiful pure flower. This process symbolizes attaining enlightenment. Similarly we can also rise above human suffering in the same way as the lotus by moving from the lowest to the highest state of consciousness.

My pencil sketch of Buddha is inspired from this philosophy of Buddhism.

Here Buddha is seen in a deep meditation, surrounded by blooming lotus flowers.