The Eight Auspicious Symbols of Vajrayana - Endless Knot / Eternal Knot

The Eight Auspicious Symbols are one of the most common, yet very popular in the Vajrayana Buddhism or  Tibetan Buddhism and culture for over thousands of years.

Eight Auspicious Symbols in the Sanskrit word is  "Ashtamangala". In the Tibetan language is known as "Tashee-tag-gyay" The Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism is a genre of Buddhist symbolism. The symbols derive from Indian iconography and have become especially popular in Tibetan Buddhism. 

The Eight Auspicious Symbols are traditionally offered to Lama, teachers during long life ceremonies and are used in various forms of ritual art. It is believed that each of the Tibetan symbols represents one aspect of the Buddha’s teachings and when appearing all together their powers are multiplied. 

In this fascinating study,the Eight Auspicious Symbols are as follows:-

1. Right-Coiled White Conch Shell

2. Precious Parasol 

3. Victory Banner 

4. Golden Fishes 

5. Dharma Wheel 

6. Endless Knot 

7. Lotus Flower 

8. Treasure Vase

These eight symbols of good fortune represent the offerings made by the Gods, and Brahma to Shakyamuni Buddha immediately after he attained enlightenment. 

What do the eight symbols of Buddhism mean?

In Buddhism, these eight symbols of good fortune represent the offerings made by the gods to Shakyamuni Buddha immediately.

6. Endless Knot  / Eternal Knot

The Endless Knot or Eternal Knot in Tibetan: Pal Be’u, symbolises the interdependence of all things. It also represents activities and knowledge.

The endless knot, or eternal knot, is a geometric diagram that symbolises the nature of reality, where everything is interrelated and only exists as part of a web of karma and its effects. Having no beginning or end, it also represents the infinite wisdom of the Buddha and the union of compassion and wisdom. Also, it represents the illusory character of time and long life, as they are endless.

The endless knot, or eternal knot, is a symbolic knot and one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols. It is an important symbol in Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. It is an important cultural marker in places significantly influenced by Tibetan Buddhism, such as Tibet, Mongolia, Tuva, Kalmykia, and Buryatia. It is also found in Celtic, Kazakh, and Chinese symbolism.

Various Buddhist interpretations of the symbol include:

• The endless knot iconography symbolised Samsara,i.e., the endless cycle of suffering of birth, death, and rebirth within Tibetan Buddhism.
• The intertwining of wisdom and compassion
• Interplay and interaction of the opposing forces in the dualistic world of manifestation, leading to their union and ultimately to harmony in the universe.
• The mutual dependence of religious doctrine and secular affairs
• The union of wisdom and methoda
• The inseparability of emptiness (shunyata) and dependent origination is the underlying reality of existence.
• The link between ancestors and omnipresence is represented by the etymology of Tantra, Yoga, and religion (see Namkha).
• The wisdom of the Buddha, as neither is said to have a beginning or end.

The eternal knot, sometimes called the "endless knot" or "the glorious knot," is called palbeu in Tibetan. In Sanskrit, it is called shrivasta. Because the knot has no beginning and no end, the eternal knot symbolises the endless wisdom and compassion of the Buddha.

Is an endless knot lucky?

It is often used as a traditional symbol of good luck, happiness, fortune, and prosperity. In Buddhism, the knot is one of the eight symbols of good luck and is called the "infinity knot". Such a knot is used as protection from dark forces.

The eternal knot symbol has many other meanings.

It may symbolise the interconnectedness of wisdom and compassion; the eternal continuum of mind; samsara, the Buddhist concept of the endless cycle of suffering or birth, death, and rebirth; the union of wisdom and method; and the interdependence and interconnectedness of everything in the universe.

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Aspiration For Bodhichitta

For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen

May it arise and not decrease.

But increase further and further.

 

Dedication of Merit

By this merit, may we then obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrongdoings

May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness, and death.

 

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