Material: Brass, Cast (Pair)

Dimensions: 10.5 x 11 cm

Description:

In Tibetan Buddhism, elephants hold significant symbolic significance. Their influence and use stem from Buddhist texts, legends, and the interplay between Tibetan and Indian cultures. The following is a detailed account of the origins of the elephant's influence and use in Tibetan Buddhism:

I. The Symbolic Status of the Elephant in Tibetan Buddhism

1. **Symbol of Strength and Wisdom**:

- In Buddhism, elephants are often seen as symbols of strength, stability, and wisdom. Their large size represents steadfast power, while their gentle disposition symbolizes the combination of compassion and wisdom. These qualities resonate with the Buddhist pursuit of "great power and wisdom."

- In Tibetan Buddhist art and literature, elephants frequently appear in images associated with bodhisattvas or Buddhas, symbolizing the power that carries the Dharma. For example, in images of Samantabhadra, the six-tusked white elephant is a key symbol, representing the solid foundation of his vast aspirations.

2. **Legend of the Buddha's Birth**:

- Elephants are closely associated with the birth of Gautama Buddha. According to Buddhist scriptures, before becoming pregnant, the Buddha's mother, Queen Maya, dreamed of a white elephant descending from the sky, holding a lotus, and landing on her right side, foreshadowing the Buddha's birth. This white elephant is considered an auspicious symbol, representing the Buddha's holiness and transcendence.

- This legend is widely recounted in Tibetan Buddhism, and the white elephant has become a symbol of purity, auspiciousness, and the advent of the Dharma.

3. **Status in the Eight Auspicious Symbols**:

- In the Tibetan Buddhist "Eight Auspicious Symbols" (Ashtamangala) symbolism, the elephant is not directly one of the eight sacred objects. However, its image is often associated with deities associated with wealth and blessings, such as Lakshmi and Vaiśravaṇa, symbolizing abundance and prosperity. - Elephants also frequently appear in Tibetan Buddhist thangkas and temple decorations, particularly when depicting auspicious or protective images, reinforcing their sacred status.

II. Uses of Elephants in Tibetan Buddhism

1. **Religious Art and Iconography**:

- Elephants are frequently depicted in Tibetan Buddhist thangkas, murals, and sculptures, particularly in images related to Samantabhadra or the God of Wealth. For example, Samantabhadra is often depicted riding a six-tusked white elephant, symbolizing his vast aspirations and wisdom.

- Elephant images also appear in decorative monasteries, such as on pillar capitals and doorframes, symbolizing protection and auspiciousness.

2. **Religious Rituals and Symbols**:

- In certain Tibetan Buddhist rituals, elephant images may be used as offerings or as decorations for ritual objects, symbolizing stability and strength. For example, in the worship of Dharma protectors, elephants may serve as mounts for the protectors, embodying their majesty and power. In Tibetan festivals or religious processions, live elephants may be used in religious activities, if conditions permit, particularly in areas with close contact with Indian culture. This practice is a continuation of ancient Indian Buddhist traditions.

3. **Fusion of Culture and Folk Beliefs**:

- Tibetan Buddhism has absorbed elements of Hinduism and the local Bon religion. Elephants, as important animals in Indian culture (for example, the Hindu elephant god Ganesha), have been given similar auspicious meanings in Tibetan Buddhism.

- In Tibetan folklore, elephants are often seen as animals that bring good luck and wealth, and their images may appear on amulets or prayer objects.

III. The Origin of the Symbolic Meaning of Elephants

1. **Inheritance from Indian Buddhism**:

- The symbolic meaning of elephants in Tibetan Buddhism primarily derives from Indian Buddhist traditions. In Indian culture, elephants symbolize royalty, strength, and wisdom. This imagery was retained and transformed as Buddhism spread to Tibet.

- The Jataka Tales record the Buddha's previous life as an elephant, emphasizing his compassion and spirit of sacrifice, further strengthening the elephant's positive image in Buddhism.

2. **Integration of Tibetan Local Culture**:

- Although elephants were not native to the Tibetan plateau due to geographical limitations, with the introduction of Buddhism from India, Tibetans came to understand the symbolic significance of elephants through texts, art, and oral traditions.

- Tibetan Buddhism incorporates elephants with local deities such as mountain gods and guardian deities, making them important symbols in both religion and culture.

3. **The Special Significance of the Six-Tuckered White Elephant**:

- The six-tusked white elephant is a symbol closely associated with Samantabhadra Bodhisattva in Tibetan Buddhism, originating from Mahayana Buddhist texts such as the Avatamsaka Sutra. The six tusks represent the six perfections (generosity, morality, patience, diligence, meditation, and wisdom), symbolizing the six perfect practices that practitioners must take to achieve enlightenment.

- This symbolism is widely adopted in Tibetan Buddhist teachings and art, particularly within the Nyingma and Kagyu traditions, where the worship of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva has made the six-tusked white elephant an important religious totem.

IV. Summary

In Tibetan Buddhism, elephants are not only symbols of strength, wisdom, and auspiciousness, but are also closely associated with the birth of the Buddha, the aspirations of Samantabhadra, and concepts such as wealth and blessings. Their symbolic meanings, derived from Indian Buddhist traditions, have been reinterpreted and absorbed within Tibetan religion and culture. The image of the elephant is widely used in religious art, rituals, and folk beliefs, becoming a key symbol in Tibetan Buddhism. Although the use of live elephants is limited in Tibetan areas due to environmental constraints, their spiritual and iconographic significance continues to influence Tibetan Buddhist teachings and practices.

Bronze Statue of a Mythical Beast (Elephant)