Symbols

Everywhere in the world we use symbols. Symbols to guide us, to help us, and sometimes for fun. But we also have universal symbols, these can be used all over the world and everyone knows exactly what it stands for.

Do you know this symbol?

Swastika 

Available here

I bet you do. The swastika is most commonly known as the symbol for the Nazi Army that lived and still proceeds to exist in Germany and other areas. The symbol represented the pride and nationalism for Germany at the time Adolf Hitler and his Nazi party ruled over. Hitler took the symbol and used it for his diabolical scheme to let everyone know the Germans were coming and they were fierce.

Buddhist Swastika

Available here

The symbol now is associated with hate and evil. Before Hitler ruined the swastikas image, it used to stand for life, power, strength, and good luck. Many other countries had used the swastika 3,000 years before Hitler had. For example the Buddhist use this symbol.


The Buddhist version of the swastika means “May you prosper and have good fortune.” Almost like a good luck charm. It can be found on many statues, art works, or temples of Buddha and all around Buddhist and Hindu countries, as well in Asia.

It is quite surprising, well shocking, site when you first see the well known symbol of hate is bared on the chest of Buddha. You don’t know what to think really. I myself was confused. But upon further investigation and research I found it to be a happier more peaceful symbol than I had thought. I now look more into the history and usage of symbols used by different cultures and see if they relate to our own.

Especially, here in the West(US) we have tons of symbols but they probably don’t mean the same to a different culture in East (Asia/India). I believe this happens throughout the world where we have same sign but different meaning.  

Next time you see a symbol and don’t understand, research it and find out its history. Don’t assume the worst.

Tibetan pilgrims detained after ceremony

Religious followers at the gathering

Available at: http://tiny.cc/y929cw

April 7, 2012

The New York Times recently posted an article “China said to detain returning Tibetan pilgrims” which covered the story  of a group of Tibetan pilgrims returning from the Buddhist ceremony Kalachakra, are being detained without charge. This incident is said to be the first largest group to be detained from one of these ceremonies.

It is said that most of the detained are forced to stay on military grounds, schools, or hotels. Some are even forced to pay for lodging and food. Most of the detained are elderly and have a risk of getting sick. To add to it, the detained have been there for at least over two months.

Along with their detainment, the detainees are regularly being interrogated about various things such as the Dalai Lama, the current but exiled prime minister, the former prime minister, and other various officials.

The Chinese officials didn’t stop at interrogation, they are trying to re-educate the detained. By this they are re-educating them into what the Chinese what them to know. It is even stated that they are forcing them to denounce the Dalai Lama.

This tension between Tibet and China has been going on for years. As another article in The New York Times posted “The detentions are expected to stoke resentment among Tibetans toward the Chinese government at a time when tensions across the Tibetan plateau are at the highest in years” . The constant rivalry between Tibet and China causes great effects on both countries and their people. In the article, Edward Wong states:

“It is unclear why Chinese officials allowed large numbers of Tibetan pilgrims to go abroad around the time of the Kalachakra, only to detain them upon their return. The crackdown appears to be part of the growing conflict in Tibetan areas, which in the last year have been the site of the most intense and sustained protests since the 2008 uprising” logically what the Chinese officials had done was a basically a trick to get the monks and religious followers in and keep them there.

This incident adds more to the flame of the fight between Tibet and China. This ever-growing fight causes riots and even suicides. Lately, it has been reported that thirty-two has set themselves on fire in defiance to Chinese rule. It’s ridiculous.


My opinion about this incident is furious. Why let them in, but don't let them leave? They came for a religious purpose, there's no need to detain and interrogate them. The Dalai Lama wouldn't detain the Chinese would he? I don't think he would. There's no reason to.


Readers, what's your opinion? I want to hear it.

Why Buddha?

Buddha Statue

Through the eyes of Buddha was inspired by my fascination with the religion and the teachings of Buddha. I long for the happiness that Buddhist themselves try to achieve, which eventually leads to that perfect state of Nirvana.

I ultimately adore the wisdom and inspiration that comes from Buddha. The simplistic lives they live intrigue me. We live in a world where everything is at our grasp, but we never take it. They take those opportunities and make their lives better, make themselves better.

 So much can be learned from their teachings and beliefs.

I intend to explore more in detail the actual religion and history of Buddhism, as well as life as a Buddhist. I want to see the world through Buddha’s eyes. I want my reader’s to experience this also.

For my readers:
I would love to share everything and anything about this subject with my readers, from the numerous gods to the meditation to the Buddhist life. Anything my readers or I want to know, I’ll find it. I want my readers explore Buddhism with me and enjoy and embrace what a great religion/life it is.

I want my readers to learn from this is that you don’t need everything in the world to be happy. You really just need yourself and your beliefs. Buddhism helps people reach that. I want them to see the world through Buddha’s eyes. I want them to see how he see’s, think how he thinks, and live how he lived.

I’m not telling you to go abandon everything you know and become a lonely traveler on the search for happiness, but do something about it. My hope is that my readers learn, experience, and love this blog. I hope they find it helpful or inspirational; at least that’s what I’m hoping.

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