Many people wonder why the lotus flower is a common symbol in buddhist traditions and literature.
The Lotus flower grows in the deep murky mud, far away from the sun. But, sooner or later, the Lotus reaches the light becoming the most beautiful flower ever. its symbology is quite clear for many cultures. According to Buddhism, every person has the potential to become perfect and enlightened, and it is just a matter of time until each human reaches the light. Buddhists believe that it’s necessary to be reborn thousands of times, polishing one’s being through many incarnations, until one reaches nirvana – the highest state of consciousness that humans can access.
So, the Buddha is sometimes depicted sitting on a Lotus flower, symbolizing the one who overcame the pain of that prevails in the material world and became enlightened, just like the Lotus flower which starts to grow in the dirty and muddy water but manages to surpass the water and produce a perfect flower. Many Hindu gods are depicted sitting or standing on a Lotus flower for the same reason.
I like to condense it down to this – The Lotus flower teaches us that where we reach is far more important than where we come from.
Peace and Love, Jim
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