FOOT OF BUDDHA,ancient Good LUCK POWER STONE Rock LU (04/13/2011)...

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FOOT OF BUDDHA,ancient Good LUCK POWER STONE Rock LUCKY

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FOOT OF BUDDHA,ancient Good LUCK POWER STONE Rock LUCKY

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Sold Date: 04/13/2011
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Ethnic, Folk & Native American Art

AN OUTSTANDING TIBETAN BUDDHIST SHAMANS FOOT OF BUDDHA which was brought from India to Tibet in the turn of the century to be used as a sacred relic. After the years following the destruction of Buddhist temples in Tibet, the monks had to grab what ever they could so everything was not lost. As described by the past owner one of my teachers that past away a few years ago this stone came from India at the place called Sarnath. He said it has always been used for tantric and initiation purposes to understand the hidden forces of the universe. As I remember the story that was passed down with this stone the enlighten body no longer needed the human container and the foot was part of a gathering of sacred fragments that have never seen the light of day and are hidden in caves and monasteries all over the world.

THE BUDDHA HEART OF THE LION: If you look at the second picture you will see a SHADOW OF A LION in black in the stone. Please read this fascinating history of the symbol of the LIONS ROAR of BUDDHA....

BRIEF HISTORY OF SYMBOLISM IN BUDDHISM

Many Buddhist symbols need to be considered within the culture of the people who follow it. Therefore, many of the early symbols relate to ancient India and can be found in Hinduism as well, although possibly with a somewhat different meaning.

The historical Buddha lived around the sixth century BCE, but no Buddhist artifacts are known from before the third century BCE. In the scriptures, it is mentioned that the Buddha did occasionally use images like the 'Wheel of Life' to illustrate the teachings. The first archaeological evidence, mainly of ornamental stone carvings, comes from the time of the Emperor Asoka (273 - 232 BCE), who converted to Buddhism and made it a popular religion in India and beyond .

In the second century BCE, people started to excavate Buddhist monasteries in rock, creating a large amount of artwork to withstand the ages. Probably the earliest typical Buddhist monument is the stupa, which was often specially decorated. The first actual Buddha images appeared around the first century BCE, so until then the artwork was largely symbolic in nature.

With the appearance of Buddhist Tantra around the 6th century, a wealth of new artwork and symbolism appeared, as imagination and visualization form a major technique in meditation practices. From this moment on, a pantheon of deities and protectors appeared, together with a vast collection of symbolic items, such as the vajra and bell, mandalas etc.; see the page on Tantric Symbols . This tradition was mainly preserved in so-called 'Tibetan Buddhism', and partially in the Japanese Shingon tradition.

SYMBOLS FOR THE BUDDHA

It is said that the Buddha was reluctant to accept images of himself, as he did not like to be venerated as a person. To symbolise the Buddha in the very early art, one used mainly the Eight Spoked Wheel and the Bodhi Tree, but also the Buddha's Footprints , an Empty Throne , a Begging Bowl and a Lion are used to represent him.

The Lion is one of Buddhism's most potent symbols. Traditionally, the lion is associated with regality, strength and power. It is therefore an appropriate symbol for the Buddha who tradition has it was a royal prince. The Buddha's teachings are sometimes referred to as the 'Lion's Roar', again indicative of their strength and power.

The image on the left shows a capital from a pillar of Asoka: the Lions of Sarnath. Sarnath is where the Buddha first preached, and these lions echo his teachings to the four quarters of the world, sometimes called 'the Lion's Roar'. The wheel symbolizes Buddhist law and also Asoka's legitimacy as an enlightened ruler.

Especially in Tibetan Buddhist art, lions are often depicted on the throne the Buddha sits on, but these are Snow Lions (mythical creatures), and they actually represent the eight main Bodhisattvas (students of the Buddha).

From the Tibetan Aid Project Page :
"Footprints of the Buddha traditionally symbolize the physical presence of the Enlighte...