Iconography

The red and 24kt gold zigzag kyungbur adorning the frame is the transition of passion into compassion and the resultant Buddha like purity of actions and thoughts. The 24kt gold continuous ‘T’-wave just under the top edge of the of the offering cabinet is also called the thunder wave. This is the thunder of the vajra (diamond scepter, dorje in Tibetan), symbolizing skilful means, compassion, samsara. This compassion is an active quality rather than mere sympathetic feelings not transformed into action. Compassion refers to action that is exactly consonant with whatever is occurring and that is not self-referential

The front doors have happy rams facing each other, in the background are blue and green rugged rock cliffs, subtle energy, cumulus clouds and on the left door the starting of the Mahamudra mists. The nomads need those rams to propagate the flock and are a symbol of increase, and additionally they symbolize determination. The rams represent a determination to overcome the 3 poisons of ignorance, desire, and aversion. The flip side of the determination is also represented by the ram and illustrates how the three poisons of ignorance, desire, and aversion give rise to the whole karmic phenomenology of the six realms of cyclic existence. The rams blind following of instinct symbolizes the darkness of primordial ignorance or confusion. The rams desire to mate with the ewes is a symbol of lust or attachment with an insatiable appetite for the fulfillment of its desires and a territorial male aggression that will tolerate no rivalry: in this there is the aversion, hatred or anger which arises from attachment and the unpredictable instinct to strike out at any moment. This is a cyclic phenomenon; the root cause of the primal ignorance gives rise to attachment, which in turn gives rise to aversion, which in turn creates further ignorance: which in the final analysis is a great thing to overcome. In this depiction the rams are surrounded by the rock cliffs which represent the scriptures, "thus I have said" and the theme is one of determined reading and following of the scriptures to bring about the increase of wisdom that moves one toward enlightenment. The rock cliffs all have Kusha grass growing out of them: Kusha grass grows to a height of two feet and is used to purify defilements. Those wishing purification sleep in a field or patch of kusha grass for ritual purification. Placed under a pillow at night before initiation, Kusha grass is believed to produce clear dreams; it is also used to enhance the clarity of visualization and meditation. Kusha is the grass of choice for the manufacture of sacred meditation mats. The rainbow rays coming out of the rock cliffs are subtle energy generated by the practitioner. In back of this the Mahamudra mists are starting to form. Mahamudra: the union of compassion and wisdom -- the ultimate realization of one’s true nature. They are represented as the transformation of our vices into the 4 powers of regret, vow, reliance, and remedy, so the practitioner will realize purification and enlightenment. This is also the basic meaning of the "Heart Sutra." Intermixed with the Mahamudra mists are cumulus clouds which are quite common in Tibet. One significance of these fast moving clouds and the pure clarity of the sky is metaphorically an illustration of the Buddha Mind. Clouds may come and go across the heavens, like the transitory thoughts or delusions which appear to obscure the mind's true nature, yet the nature of the sky remains unchanged. this is like the mirror, which is always unaffected by the appearances which arise in it, the sky is clear, transparent, infinite and immaculate.

The sides again have the cumulus clouds, and they are surrounding a nicely done Dharma Wheel with the yin-yang symbol in the center; this is then resting on a lotus throne that is red white and blue. The  Dharma Wheel, In three parts, exists as a hub, the center of the world;  the 8 spokes denote the 8 paths to enlightenment. These 8 steps work together, not separately.  1. right understanding . 2. right attitude  3. right speech  4. right action  5. right work    6. right effort  7. right mindfulness  8. right meditation  The rim represents the attribute of limitation.  All are contained within a circle, which is perceived to be perfect and complete, like the teachings of the Buddha. The center of the wheel is the yin-yang The yin-yang, shaped like spiraled tear drops, constitute a circle that is divided in two by an S. The dot, not in this illustration, in the middle of each half symbolizes that each element at its highest point carries within itself the seed of its polar opposite, that it can change and cross over into the other. Yin is the female, the passive, the receptive, the dark and the soft. Yang is the masculine, the active, the light and the stern. The joining of the two created from the One is the source of creative energy in the Universe. The lotus is an important Buddhist motif.  Images of the Buddha and other important persons often are shown seated on a lotus throne.  The growth of the lotus, with its roots in mud, growing through water, and emerging as a wonderful plant above the water's surface, is seen as an analogy of the soul’s path from the mud of materialism to the purity of enlightenment. The 3 stages of the lotus, bud, utpala (mid-blossom) and the full blossoming throne represent the past present and future respectively.

The top has a great four petalled flower symbolic of the Four Noble truths, the middle way and the first teaching of Buddha. 1. Life is suffering. 2. Ignorance is the cause of suffering.  3. The cessation of suffering is the goal of life because it transcends pains and pleasure.  4. The way to the cessation of suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path, which aligns with the eight spokes of the Dharma Wheel, which is featured on the side panels. The background, radiating out from the 4-petaled flower is durva grass. Durva grass is a symbol of long life.  Because grass is highly resilient, it is believed to be immortal.  Therefore, it proclaims the end of samsara, the successive death and rebirth of all beings  It usually takes a long time to overcome samsara, and a longer life span will allow greater progress in moving towards enlightenment within a given cycle. This top is done in the layered look and the 2nd layer has silk ribbons tying together elephant tusks. Elephant tusks are symbolic of the entire elephant and represent Chakravartin's Precious Elephant. The term Chakravartin, or Wheel Turner in Hinduism refers to an ideal ruler, but in Buddhism, Chakravartin has come to mean a Buddha whose all-encompassing teachings are universally true.  Chakravartin has an army of 4 divisions, infantry, cavalry, elephants, and chariots. Chakravartin is the lineage of 25 Kulika kings or enlightened monarchs, the 25th of which will finally defeat the "non-believers." The Precious Elephant is a symbol of the strength of the mind in Buddhism. Exhibiting noble gentleness, the precious elephant serves as a symbol of the calm majesty possessed by one who is on the path. Specifically, it embodies the boundless powers of the Buddha, which are miraculous aspiration, effort, intention, and analysis.