Decoding a Buddhist mural

May 5, 2009 1:51 AM

Curious to find help in decoding a Buddhist mural...

A friend and I just moved into a new art studio which came with a pre-existing Buddhist (I believe) mural painted on one entire wall, floor to ceiling. We're definitely planning on keeping it up as it doesn't take up too much working space and is awesome. It was certainly crafted with some serious care and I'm convinced there are some specific symbols and meanings contained in it. Anyone have knowledge in this area or can point me in the direction thereof?

Picture of the mural: http://www.flickr.com/photos/spor/3503173329/

posted by garethspor to media & arts (3 comments total)

No Buddhist myself but I can recognize the yellowish Wheel of Dharma in the middle of the monument-type thing.

If you look at the little guy, does he appear to be Indian or does he look more East Asian? Close-up pics of him and the monument would be nice.
posted by XMLicious at 2:16 AM on May 5

The structure in the center is one of the eight great stupas - I believe, looking at your image, it is the Stupa of Enlightenment. Each of the Great Stupas represents an important phase in the the life of Buddha Shakyamuni (the Historical Buddha). That is, as XMLicious said, the Wheel of Dharma on its face.

There's some significance to the sun and moon both being shown - I don't know what though.

Can we get a better image of the bottom of the mural? That colored object at the bottom center is very interesting looking.

Too, a better image of the lone figure would be interesting - what has he got in his hands?
posted by strixus at 2:32 AM on May 5

The coloured balls at the bottom appear to be flaming Cintamani or wish-granting jewels. You can see depictions very similar to your painting at the bottom of this page, or half-way down this one.

I'm not an observant Buddhist, but as far as I can tell, Cintamani are not the same thing as the Three Jewels of Buddhist practice (Buddha, Dharma and Sangha). Cintamani seem to turn up in mythology as talismans or symbols of wisdom. The strange thing is that they're usually portrayed in multiples of three, so I'll leave it to someone else to explain why there are ten of them on your wall.
posted by embrangled at 6:53 AM on May 5