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Wednesday, December 31, 2008

The gifts of Buddha eyes

Buddha Eyes are often referred to as Wisdom Eyes they are a symbol of all the wisdom and knowledge that Siddhartha collected through his privileged life growing up as a child in a palace with a wealthy father, then into his youth when he discovered how sheltered he had been and finally in adulthood made the decision to make a change for the better. Siddhartha traveled across Asia learning and living with ordinary people, meditating in solitude in order to find an end to the worlds suffering.

The two eyes are obviously just that, the eyes of the Buddha, and even though the eyes carry a great significance so to do the symbols that can be above and bellow the eyes. The small dot or swirl just above and in between the eyes is a representation of a third eye or brow chakra which symbolizes inner wisdom and all the knowing. The squiggly line that looks a lot like a question mark is the Nepali character for the number one, which is a symbol for the unity of all things, with the idea that all things are one in the same.

Wisdom eyes are most commonly seen on stupa's also known as Buddhist shrines in the country of Nepal. The eyes are located on all four sides of the tallest tower where they can stare or gaze out above the city. Buddha Eyes symbolize the all-seeing omniscience of the Buddha who has transcended into enlightenment. They are so prevalent in Nepal that they have become a national symbol.

In the end after practically starving himself to death Siddhartha discovered that there are many paths to follow, but the best way to live a fulfilling life is to follow the middle path. Every time you look into Buddha Eyes they will reassure you that there is a means to an end and that even though life is full of suffering if you can achieve enlightenment by giving everything you have and expect nothing in return you can attain liberation from suffering.

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