Materials: Woven, Embroidered, Printed, Dyed, Single-Handed Curtain

Dimensions: Approximately 90 x 180 cm

Description:

The "Four Auspicious Beasts" (also known as the "Four Auspicious Beasts of Harmony," "Four Auspicious Beasts of Harmony," or "Four Harmony Symbols") are an important symbol in Buddhist art and teachings, primarily appearing in Tibetan Buddhist murals, thangkas, sculptures, and architectural decorations. They do not refer to the "Four Spirits" of traditional Chinese mythology (the qilin, phoenix, tortoise, and dragon), but rather specifically represent the harmonious coexistence of four animals (bird, rabbit, monkey, and elephant). This symbol emphasizes the Buddhist virtues of respecting the elderly and loving the young, living in peace, and supporting each other. It is often used to teach believers to observe the Five Precepts (not to kill, not to steal, not to commit adultery, not to lie, and not to drink alcohol) and to cultivate a harmonious mindset. In Buddhist rituals, the Four Auspicious Beasts do not directly participate in specific rituals such as ceremonies or offerings. Instead, they are incorporated into temple decorations and sermons as artistic elements or allegories, serving as inspiration and symbolism. It reminds participants to value ethics and morality, promoting inner peace and social stability. Statues or murals of the four auspicious animals are often seen in Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, such as the Potala Palace in Tibet and the Puning Temple in Chengde, Hebei Province, to reinforce the educational function of rituals.

Origin

The origin of the four auspicious animals comes from Buddhist texts, primarily a Jataka Tales from the Buddha's past lives (also known as the Jataka Tales or the Jataka Tales). The Jataka Tales are a collection of stories about the Buddha's past lives, used to illustrate Buddhist teachings such as karma, the practice of precepts, and compassion through allegorical forms. This story is believed to be a past life of the Buddha, with the four animals representing past lives of the Buddha and his disciples: the bird (usually a partridge, ram-horned bird, or gompo bird) represents a past life of the Buddha; the rabbit represents a past life of Ananda; the monkey represents a past life of Sariputra; and the elephant represents a past life of Maudgalyayana.

This image first appeared in ancient Indian Buddhist legends and later spread to Tibet and mainland China, becoming a common theme in Tibetan Buddhist art. The story's origins can be traced back to oral Buddhist traditions in the early centuries BC, later recorded in Pali or Sanskrit canons. As Buddhism spread eastward, particularly into China and Tibet during the Tang and Song dynasties, the images of the Four Auspicious Beasts gradually became integrated into local culture, such as in Dunhuang murals and the decorations of Tibetan temples in Mongolia. Beyond religious symbols, they also influenced folk art, symbolizing auspiciousness and harmony.

Detailed Story Description

The story takes place in an ancient Indian country called Varanasi (or Garshi), blessed with dense forests and abundant water and grass, but once plagued by years of war, the people suffered greatly. Suddenly, one day, the war subsided, and peace and prosperity reigned. The king, brimming with pride at his wise governance and the blessings bestowed upon his people, was informed by a wise man that this was not his own doing, but rather the merits of the four sacred beasts of the forest (a bird, a rabbit, a monkey, and an elephant), who lived in harmony and observed the Five Precepts. Their actions brought auspicious signs and influenced the fate of the entire nation.

Intrigued, the king personally went to the valley to investigate. Sure enough, he saw four animals stacked in the shape of an arhat beside a large tree: an elephant standing beneath the tree, with a monkey on its back; the monkey carrying a rabbit on its shoulders; and a bird perched atop the rabbit's head. They were working together to gather fruit from the tree, sharing the food in harmony.

A wise man explained the origins of these four animals to the king: Originally, like humans, these four animals argued over who was the eldest and more qualified to lead. To determine their order of seniority, they decided to determine age based on who first saw the tree.

The elephant said, "When I was little, this tree was only as tall as me, and I even touched it with my trunk!"

The monkey said, "Ha! You're too late! When I was little, this tree was just a seedling, and I played on it."

The rabbit said, "You're all wrong. I was the first to see it sprout, emerging from the soil."

The bird said, "My little brothers, I'm responsible for the origin of this tree. I ate fruit from another tree and swallowed the seeds along with it. I later excreted them, and the seeds took root, eventually growing into this giant tree. That's why I'm the oldest!"

So, they ranked by age: the bird was oldest, followed by the rabbit, the monkey, and finally the elephant. From then on, they respected their elders and supported each other. Sometimes they would stack themselves up to share the fruit, and sometimes they would go out together to play, never arguing. Seeing the animals living in harmony, the people reflected, "Even animals know how to respect their elders and show kindness. How could we humans be any worse than them?" Social morals improved, and people began to value ethics, mutual love, and mutual assistance.

Thanks to the four animals' virtuous and observant conduct, the country prospered and its wealth grew. Inspired by this, the king decreed that all people must respect their elders, gradually cultivating a positive culture. Even neighboring states were influenced and began to observe the Five Precepts, bringing about greater peace.

Another version of the story details how the four animals planted the tree: a bird (the Gombok) brought the seeds; a rabbit dug a hole and buried them; a monkey watered and fertilized the tree; and an elephant protected the sapling from destruction. Their cooperation symbolizes the Buddhist principle of "cause and condition," which emphasizes that all things require the right conditions to succeed.

Specific Roles in Buddhist Ritual

Although the Four Auspicious Beasts are not active participants in rituals (such as guardian deities or objects of offerings), they play a symbolic and educational role in Buddhist ceremonies:

- **Artistic Decoration**: During temple ceremonies and festivals, images of the Four Auspicious Beasts often appear on murals, thangkas, or statues as background decoration, enhancing the solemnity and educational atmosphere of the ceremony. For example, during Tibetan Buddhist debates and initiation ceremonies, these images remind monks and laypeople to value harmonious coexistence.

- **Doctrinal Propagation**: Lamas and teachers often cite this story during their teachings to explain the importance of the Five Precepts, teaching followers to avoid arguments and cultivate compassion. The story emphasizes that equality is essential for the long-term survival of all relationships and that there is no distinction between high and low, which resonates with the Buddhist concept of the equality of all beings.

- **Moral Inspiration**: During daily rituals in some temples, such as chanting or meditation, the Four Auspicious Beasts symbolize the harmony of all natural beings, encouraging participants to reflect on their own behavior and promote inner peace. Especially during Buddhist festivals in Mongolia and Tibet, this symbol is used to pray for national prosperity and social stability.

In short, the Four Auspicious Beasts are not only classic motifs in Buddhist art but also convey ethical lessons. Through vivid stories, they guide believers to practice harmony and respect for the elderly in their daily lives.