Iconography
The front right-door has an acrobatic Snow Lion, with the typical blazing eyes. This lion apparently has been working out & is rather muscular. The Snow Lion is the national emblem of Tibet. The Snow Lion resides in the East & represents unconditional cheerfulness, a mind freed from doubt, clear & precise. It has a beauty & dignity resulting from a synchronized body & mind. The Snow Lion has the youthful, vibrant energy of goodness & a natural sense of delight. Sometimes, the throne of a Buddha is depicted with eight Snow lions on it. In this case, they represent the 8 main Bodhisattva-disciples of Buddha Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha. Associations: main quality is fearlessness, dominance over mountains, & the earth element. The left door has a beautiful Precious Elephant one of the 7 possessions of the Chakravartin, or Wheel Turner: the term 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, & 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, & analysis.
The drawers have stylized durva grass done in kyungbur while the upper frame border under the top has Kusha grass carved into the frame. 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 & rebirth of all beings It usually takes a long time to overcome samsara, & a longer lifespan will allow greater progress in moving towards enlightenment within a given cycle. Kusha grass grows to a height of two feet & 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 & meditation. Kusha is the grass of choice for the manufacture of sacred meditation mats.
The main side panel has an unknown symbol, the only one of its type I have seen. The upper, smaller panel has the Dharma wheel. In three parts, the wheel 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 & complete, like the teachings of the Buddha.
