Ashoka Chakra
In October 2011, I returned to Nepal for the second time in a year. (It was my third visit all up. Three.) Unexplainably, I just had to go back – quickly. For all sorts of reasons, it was a deeply touching journey: Dasein Festival, trekking, Tihar/Deewali Festival. I felt, and still feel, thrice-blessed.
During my Nepal trips, a number of Buddhist symbols - and symbolism - have touched me and my life. In March/April 2011, it was White Tara, lotus, water (which I learned were interconnected on my return). Three. But nothing has prepared for the newest addition. In the last few weeks, and since coming home in October, I have been speaking about the things that I have done in my life – over the last few years – as being like a bicycle wheel, including hub and spokes. Three. I began from a centre, branched out, spun around on an outer wheel, then returned again to the centre. Today I was watching a documentary called “The Story of India” (narrated by Michael Wood) and there appears my wheel as I have imagined it in my mind, my thoughts, my dreams. Three. It is the ”Ashoka Chakra” – a Buddhist symbol that is blue and has 24 spokes. I still do not understand the symbolism of the wheel, but one thing I do know – for sure - is that every aspect of this symbol is likely to have meaning for me. But now I need to go exploring to find out its deeper meaning.
The “Ashoka Chakra”:
Mandalas, Nepali Women and me
These are more pote and chure. They are circles, or mandalas, in a sense. But when they are put together like this, they look like the universal symbol of women. How poignant. Or a teardrop.
These jewels were given to me on a night when I was dressed by the Women of Nepal in a beautiful rose-colored sari, which was very moving. We laughed (hysterically!). We danced. We sang. I cried. (I will never forget what happened to me when you sang the first line of “Ray Sum Fee Riri”! How many tissues did I need when you flung me back up into the hills of the Annapurna Sanctuary 23 years ago!)
Women of Nepal, I will always remember you.
Buddha – a gift from H. in Nepal
This Buddha was given to me just before I left Nepal by one of the women. I will treasure it, always. It seems Buddhism and Buddhist symbols have seeped through my veins on this journey.
It has brought me great joy.
Mandala of White Tara
On my last day in Kathmandu, Nepal, as I walked around the Boudhanath Stupa, I went to visit the shop and gallery that sold Thangka paintings. I walked by it on first few days there. (The photo of the shop is up on an earlier post on this blog.) I wanted to learn about Thangka paintings - and the symbolism behind them. I spent (what seemed like) hours in the shop. I was considering buying a painting to bring home, but I couldn’t quite find the one that ‘fitted’ me. I have now found it.
This image is the mandala of White Tara. It is symbolic to me for so many reasons – the colours that became meaningful to me through the Nepal journey (red, turquoise, white), the circles (I named this journey my full circle, though I now feel it’s incomplete), and finding a woman goddess indentity, who symbolises compassion. When I come back to work the sisters of Nepal again, which I hope to do, I will carry her spirit with me. She will inform me and the work that I do. White Tara ignites my compassionate spirit.
Image courtesy of http://www.legacy.andyweberstudios.com/
Note: It is believed that thangka paintings were begun in Nepal in approximately the 11th Century A.D. Buddhists and Hindus used them to illustrate deities and scenes of nature. Nepali thangkas are called paubhas. There are two types: palas and mandalas. Palas illustrate the deities and mandalas are complex and mystical circular paintings, which contain prescribed circles and squares that have specific significance.
For more information, visit: http://www.thangkapaintings.com/
Humbled…I found her today…White Tara…
This is White Tara.
She sits on a white lotus.
The white lotus reaches into water.
White Tara
White lotus
Water…
Apparently the three belong together.
White Tara, white lotus, water
Seemingly, the white lotus represents the state of spiritual perfection and total purity of the mind. It is associated with White Tara, and symbolises her perfect nature, which is reinforced by the colour of her body.
White Tara is peaceful and compassionate. She is a gentle protector, bringing long life and peace. In Sanskrit, her name means “star”.
Today
White Tara sings to me
Great Compassionate Mother
Embodiment of Wisdom
Great Protectress…
Today
White Lotus opens me
Body
Mind
Soul…
Today
Water cleanses me
In
Out
Through…
Lotus (2)
In Buddhism, the lotus flower is the symbol of purity, faithfulness and spiritual awakening. The flower lifts itself from the dirt and mud of its surroundings, which represents the act of rising above the water of desire and attachment. This is the key to achieving spiritual enlightenment.
(Danyabad Suman for illuminating me further on the symbolism of the lotus; a (white) flower that is still flowing – like water – in and out of my dreams.)
Gentle spirit, quiet heart
In my dreams I see you
Men
Women
Children.
Ghosts of the past
Here now
Visions of the future.
I touched your hands
And I’ll never let them go.
You painted a way into my heart
A long time ago
But it’s only beginning to make sense now
23 years after paint and paper touched.
Gentle spirit
Quiet heart
I will hold you
Through the monsoon rain.
It’s beginning now
But it won’t last.
Just a few months
And then the skies will clear
And the earth will be ready for walking once again.
Older sister, older sister – my heart bleeds for you
At dawn I awoke
And remembered you
Older sister
You broke through my dreams
You were 12, 13, maybe 14
You were not alone
There were many of you
In a line
A bell tolled
In an ancient square
I turned to my left and asked him:
“What are they doing?”
He replied:
“They are going to the bleeding house”
I never understood
Until now…
I witnessed you being locked away
Shamed
Quieted
Beginning the torture of your souls…
Just when you were becoming young women
When your hearts were opening
To blossom like the heart of a lotus.
23 years on I have learned what it did to you
My heart bleeds for you
My eyes cry tears for you
My hands hold tears for you
Silently I hold you
I am still holding you.
Here in my heart
Thousands of miles away
I will never forget you as I once thought I did…
OM MANE PADME UM
