Facebook question: What are on the Lotuses that Lama Tsongkhapa is Holding?
(By Tsem Rinpoche)
Question Series for my FB Friends:
Tsongkapa holds stems to two lotuses. What are on the lotuses? What do the items represents? What are the items telling us we can achieve specifically through Tsongkapa’s Guru Yoga practice?
Tsem Rinpoche
(I thought I will post questions perhaps daily to help ppl think, learn and research. Let’s use FB for learning.)
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Thank you Rinpoche for explaining on the meaning of Lama Tsongkhapa’s hand gestures and the lotuses . This imagery highlights Tsongkhapa’s role as a great scholar and yogi. Lama Tsongkhapa had personify the highest realization of Buddhist teachings and the path to awakening. Lama Tsongkhapa often seen as an emanation of the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, Manjusri. On the lotuses held by Lama Tsongkhapa are a flaming sword in his right hand and a Buddhist text on the lotus in his left hand. The sword symbolizing the union of wisdom that cuts through ignorance and delusion. Wisdom text representing compassion needed for enlightenment. Great knowledge by reading those FB comments as in the blog. There’s so much to learn, thanks again.
Tsongkapa practice is simple, easy and very beneficial especially good for the people of this time. Its through questions and answering , we learn new knowledge, understand better. Like blog chat too, a good and wonderful way we could think, learn, research more of the subject or rather question .
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing for us explaining what the lotuses that Lama Tsongkhapa is holding.
Great teachings through questions and answering which I could learn and understand better .
Thanks Rinpoche for the clear explanation of Lama Tsongkhapa symbolic.
Glad coming across this post which I truly appreciate this teachings even though as it a face book question. I did not know till reading all the information regarding the lotuses that Lama Tsongkhapa is holding. Finally I have this explanation and understanding of Lord Tsongkapa in details from the video as explained clearly by Rinpoche.
Thank you Rinpoche for this teachings .
I have been praying to Lord Tsongkapa for so many years, and I do not even know what the lotuses meant.
I know the Dharma Chakra mudra, the wisdom sword and the Sutra of Perfect Wisdom… but never really thought deeper of the lotuses and their representation.
Thank you Rinpoche, I finally have clearer understanding of Lord Tsongkapa. I hope I will be able to explain clearly to others who are not familiar with Lord Tsongkapa with this new found understanding. 🙂
Thanks.
Always love such blog articles that are based on questions, as we will get answers and it stirs us to think about the subject being asked.
Thank You Rinpoche for the blessings from this short and sweet explanations on Lama Tsongkhapa lotuses. Practicing Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga is the most effective method for this age of great distractions and attachment where intelligence is high but Wisdom is in short supply. When one practices Lama Tsongkhapa along with study and contemplation of the Dharma one will practice the conventional Boddhicitta that leads us to Ultimate Boddhicitta or Wisdom/Shunyata.
So this “normal” form of Lama Tsongkhapa is so applicable for beings of this age.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this wonderful teaching allowing me to learn more about Lama Tsongkhapa’s symbolism.
I feel that facebook questions are a very unique and effective way for students and lamas to keep in contact and maintain the flow of teaching.
I like how so many people answer these questions through facebook, it allows so many people to see the correct answer. And thank you Rinpoche for sharing with us the correct answer.
[…] Facebook question: What are on the Lotuses that Lama Tsongkhapa is Holding? […]
Thanks Rinpoche for the explanation of Lama Tsongkhapa symbolic. It will help when we doing the 3 in 1 Guru Yoga practice with a colorful visualization.
We will be grateful that Rinpoche bring this powerful teaching for lay peoples like us to learn and get the benefits from this teaching.
Thank you Rinpoche for you valuable teachings on the Lotuses that Lama Tsongkhapa is Holding.In the past I could only guess what the symbol could represent ,but due to your kindness,I could visualize it very clearly now.
thank you guru ji for great teaching.
Being generous, be giving, but what is the best way of giving?
Thank you Rinpoche for the teaching, the best way of giving is to teach Dharma, because if one with Dharma knowledge, he will know to end his sufferings, what more we want beside ending our sufferings?
Yes, sufferings is mentioned in the 4 noble truth, and it is
Four Noble Truth
1. The truth of suffering (Dukkha)
2. The truth of the origins of suffering (Dukkha Samudaya)
3. The truth of the cessation of suffering (Dukkha Nirodha)
4. The truth of the noble eightfold path leading to the cessation of suffering (Dukkha Nirodha Gamini Patipada Magga)
Eight Fold Path
Right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration.
Dharma teaching is to teach us to understand the truth and how to gain these qualities…
每次閱讀新文章，都會讓我對宗喀巴大師有深一層的了解。经过上師解释，每尊佛像所用的颜色，圖案，坐姿，手式等等，都是有特殊的意義。清楚明白這一點，對我們學習他們的法門都會有幫助。佷喜歡這類型文章。讓我受益不少。感謝上師。
I have always been fascinated with symbolism and iconography as I have an inquisitive mind. However, I grew up in an environment where we were not encouraged to ask why buddha statues look the way they do, and even if I did, no one was able to give a satisfactory answer. It was based purely on blind faith and we usually prayed because a respected elder had told us to do so.
I am so thankful to Rinpoche for having made my spiritual journey filled with so much knowledge and I am so happy that so many more people will be filled with it because of this blog.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing the symbolism of Lama Tsongkhapa, it give me deeper understanding of the meaning of sword and Dharma Text and what it represent for.tq
It never fails to amaze me how the Buddha / Buddhist masters developed this symbology method to teach us and help us to remember Dharma. I guess its also a way for us to associate everyday things and colours (e.g. lotus flower, golden colour, knife/sword) with Dharma concepts (purity, increase in wisdom, cut through delusions) so we everywhere we go is a reminder of Dharma!
In the video, Tsem Rinpoche said that Lama Tsongkhapa in the “usual” form is holding the Dharma Chakra hand mudra, which represents the turning of the Dharma wheel i.e. teaching the Dharma. Tsem Rinpoche said teaching Dharma is the highest form of giving. What a coincidence that in last Friday’s Lamrim class we discussed why Dharma is the best gift of all… because it gives the recipient true/ultimate happiness. How beautiful!
Thank you Tsem Rinpoche for this bite-sized, precise teaching.
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you for explaining the meaning behind the iconography of Lord Manjushri and Lama Tsongkhapa. There are so much meaning behind each form, symbol, colors and mudras. Learning this allows us to have better understanding of why the Buddhas are depicted in specific forms. With this understanding I can better share with others on the meaning of the two lotuses and the hand mudra of Lama Tsongkhapa. I think it is very interesting and educational, and many will be interested to learn more about Lama Tsongkhapa if they get to know the meaning behind the iconography.
Thank you.
Joe
More great and informative teachings on Lama Tsongkhapa by Rinpoche.
http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/transcript-tsongkhapa-explained.html
Thank you Rinpoche for your explanation and teachings once again.
It is very easy to understand and it leaves a deep impression.
With that we can explain to our friends and people who are interested in Dharma better.
It also helps in our daily practice on Guru Yoga.
Once again, thank you Rinpoche for your sharing, am looking forward to your next lesson.
Thank you Rinpoche for your precious teachings on the iconography of Lama Tsongkhapa. Previously before I joined Kechara, I am always so curious why the Tibetan Buddha has so many different forms and representation. Then I know that each iconography has its meaning behind which symbolizes the Buddha/Deity’s practise that it will confer a lot of power and blessings to us.
From the video, I have better understanding on Lama Tsongkhapa. By visualizing him, his hand mudra of turning the Dharma Wheel to bless us to have chance to learn Dharma & next time maybe able to teach Dharma, the golden yellow colours to symbolize increase, the white lotus with a bit of red to symbolize the achievement of Buddhahood – both Boddhicitta & realization of Shunyata (Emptiness / void), the Sword representing seven types of Wisdoms (quick wisdom, profound wisdom, wisdom of expounding Dharma, wisdom of spiritual debate, wisdom of composition, great wisdom and clear wisdom) of Manjushri qualities to cut our ignorance and the Dharma text representing all the Buddha’s teaching that will help us to achieve enlightenment.
Thank you Rinpoche.
Thank you Rinpoche for the short and sweet explanation regarding the symbolism of Lama Tsongkhapa and Manjushri. I find it fun and beneficial to learn about these symbols since they serve as a constant reminder about the good qualities we should get from their practices. Furthermore, I think it is very important to have there information to share it with our friends and families and to bring them into the Dharma.
Thank you Rinpoche for this teachings on the hand gestures of Lama Tsongkhapa and what the lotuses represent.
Lama Tsongkhapa is a Buddha of wisdom and knowledge, when we pray, meditate, focus and chant our knowledge, memory and ability to speak well will increase. The sword that is motivated by compassion will cut through our sufferings, thus cutting through our unhappiness. The blue jewel on top of the dharma book is the wish fulfilling jewel that when we gain knowledge it will remove poverty, problems and difficulties. Thus Lama Tsongkhpa practice is so important as through wisdom it will lead us to enlightenment.
There is so much to learn from symbolism and iconography and it creates stronger impact than mere textual reading. One of Vajrayana’s most powerful practices is the visualization of deities.It is not just a visual experience but if we understand the image’s symbolism we can recall all the stages of the paths to enlightenment in a deeper affected way.Thank you Rinpoche for opening our eyes and heart to learn so much so easily through this blog.
Rinpoche gave a very comprehensive teaching on Ganden Lha Gyema in 1997, in Grik, Perak. In the teaching, Rinpoche describes the symbolism of the objects held by Lama Tsongkhapa. The wisdom sword with the flame represents the sharp clear wisdom in his realisation of emptiness. But this emptiness is not alone. It is combined with bodhicitta represented by the lotus he sits on. So out of great compassion and bodhicitta, Lama Tsongkhapa gives teachings on emptiness to help us get out of samsara, to become enlightened beings.
Hehehehe, Color Of Wisdom, I remember that question, hahaha. Got everybody searching like crazy. Thank you for the post and it’ll help me in my daily Sadhanas. Thank you.
Thank you Rinpoche for explaining on the profound meaning of Lama Tsongkhapa’s hand gestures and the lotuses.
Indeed during these times when distractions are many, we need to constantly pray for more opportunities to be able to listen to, contemplate and be able to meditate on the Dharma. And Lama Tsongkhapa provides this opportunity whenever we make offerings, prostrations and prayers to Him.
What a wonderful and inspiring explanation! Isn’t it wonderful how Lama Tsongkhapa brings us happiness and peace?
Thank you Rinpoche, for a powerful teaching on the significance of symbolism in regard to what Lama Tsongkhapa holds on the 2 lotus flowers and the color of the lotus.
Just by contemplating and meditating on the Wisdom Sword on the lotus on Lama Tsongkhapa’s right hand and the Dharma text(The Perfection of Wisdom Sutra)on his right hand’s lotus , and the color of the two lotuses that symbolize Bodhicitta and Shunyata ,one will be able to realize the 2 ‘wings’ of Lord Buddha’s teachings of Method and Wisdom.
Thus, it is so important that every day we do the practice of Lama Tsongkhapa – the Guru Yoga and the Migtsema and the Dissolution.As Rinpoche explains,(in our meditation and prayer)Lama Tsongkapa has merged with Lord Manjushri – is one with Lord Manjushri.
I have a correction to make to a statement in my earlier post. It’s : “….two wings to Enlightenment: Wisdom and Method ” not “two wings to Lord Buddha’s teachings of Wisdom and Method”.
Haha, i think having Facebook question is very interactive way to assist us on learning process. At the same time, it creates a cause for us to find out, read and think more. I like this. And its nice to have Rinpoche’s video at the end to explain and help us understand more. The whole session wont take too long and its very condensed with all the information.
Thank you Rinpoche for your teaching through differentt channels. You are always thoughtful to encourage and push us further.
Please take good care 🙂
Hi Sam, I agree with you. Rinpoche is always coming up with new and convenient ways to spread the Dharma. Rinpoche applies this angle in the various departments of Kechara: giving each and every person a variety of platform to learn and practice Dharma.
An amazing teaching on Lama Tsongkhapa…You think you know it all? Watch this! Its simple yet very educational!
I have always read that the lotus rising up form the mud symbolises a mundane being can become an enlightened buddha. Great to hear about why the lotus has that pink hue which is the combination of realisation of emptiness and great bliss. When both of these are present a buddha is born.
Thank you Rinpoche for this teaching which serves as a reminder to continously contemplate on the 4 Noble Truths.