SACRED SYMBOLS

It's been a while since I posted an article on Vasthu Sastra by T. Selva.  Anyway, I am going to share the article below which was published in the Sunday Star on the 13th of February, 2011.
Enjoy ...

Sunday February 13, 2011

Shaped in sanctity

Vasthu Sastra by T.SELVA

Many symbols are sacred because they carry a holy meaning related to prosperity, protection, healing, happiness, strength and beauty.

AMAZED by the power of sacred symbols and the energy they vibrate, I made a trip to India and Nepal recently to understand the hidden meaning and benefits of the signs. My journey to Chennai, Delhi and Kathmandu exposed me to hundreds of images which originate from different cultures and religions.

In Chennai, the Swastika governed the main doors of most homes, in Delhi the sign of OM (Aum) was worn widely and in Kathmandu the “wisdom eyes” of Buddha captured every visitor to the city.

I was totally impressed by the rich symbolism at the Boudnath Stupa, the holiest Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet, situated in Kathmandu. From above, the structure looks like a giant mandala (diagram of the Buddhist understanding of the cosmos) and the architecture represents the five elements of earth, water, fire, air and ether.

Highlights of the construction include the huge Buddha eyes on all four sides of the tower. Thousands of devotees walk around the stupa chanting and praying daily.

From ancient times, symbols represent a belief in an unseen power and they are commonly worn or found on doorways.

Some of the characters are also used in Vasthu Sastra applications to ward of negative energies, for protection, meditation, to energise space and attract positive energies. I discovered that many symbols shared identical shape, design and similarities although they belong to different cultures.

My search revealed that there were inadequate ancient records on symbols, and some were even kept secret by small groups of people for unknown reasons.

However, my tour to several powerful places of worship allowed me to meet some great masters and spiritual teachers who shared their wisdom and knowledge of the symbols.

Buddhism and Hinduism have the largest number of symbols and most of them are found decorated on doors, entry gates, towers, pillars, floor and even rooftops.

The following are selected symbols which can be worn as a pendant or displayed in homes or the workplace for various purposes. Readers are urged to know their meanings and use them with faith and respect because they work mystically.

> Wisdom Eyes of Buddha – The eyes remind people to look at the world with deep compassion, balancing earth’s realities with a higher consciousness. The spiral at the third eye represents the process of unfolding spiritual awakening, and is represented by primordial energy moving into manifestation.

 > Gayatri Yantra – The symbol represents the words and sounds of one of the most powerful Vedic affirmations, Gayatri Mantra. It removes the possibility of making wrong choices in life by empowering all truth and calling upon infinite creation to enlighten all living beings. Using the Gayatri Yantra in a spiritual practice has a number of positive effects, including the ability to sharpen one’s intellect and spiritual awareness.

> Spiral – The oldest symbol to be used since ancient times in spiritual practices, it reflects the universal pattern of growth and evolution. The spiral represents the goddess, the womb, fertility and life force energy. Using this symbol reminds all beings of their inward and outward evolution, a balanced and centered state of mind.

 > Hand of Fatima – The Hand of Fatima is found in ancient cultures in the Middle East and it is used to represent the Goddess whose hand wards off evil intent and radiates love as a downward gesture of non-aggressive open-handedness. It is known as an early peace symbol and in using the symbol, an energy of peace prevails in all beings, simply because the power of the hand radiates the cosmic connection between the hand of action and the heart of peace. Many people place the Hand of Fatima above their doorways, wear the symbol on chains or draw it on their possessions for protection because it sends a message of love and protection to all beings.

 > Lotus – An ancient image that symbolises harmony, spiritual illumination and unlimited potential. The lotus is a type of water lily, which rises from the sludge of muddy waters and opens into a beautiful flower. Lotus is a peaceful cosmic beacon for forgiveness, gratitude and compassion to prevail where the sludge of conflict has resided.

 > Yin Yang – The Taoist symbol of the interplay of forces in the universe represents the unity between all opposites – masculine and the feminine, darkness and light. Yin and Yang symbolise the prehistoric cosmic forces. The dark and light represent knowledge and ignorance, and in spiritual practice, use Yin Yang to help maintain a balance between opposites and instill unity personally and globally. This symbol has been a universal symbol of balanced consciousness for thousands of years and brings inner radiance to all who view it.

Tomoe – This symbol is frequently seen on Buddhist temples and its name means turning or circular energy, referring to the motion of the earth. The Tomoe represents the play of forces in the cosmos. Visually, the Tomoe is made up of interlocked flames resembling tadpoles and these are energy patterns revolving through space and time, ever replenished from the centre of all being. Universally, the Tomoe radiates a never-ending source of energy from the interaction of all three forces.

Sri Yantra – The Sri Yantra is a dynamic sacred symbol to the Hindu and it is represented by a particular geometrical configuration. The sacred geometry of the symbol is believed to reveal the inner forms and shapes that comprise the universe, and they represent the ultimate form or equation of a specific manifesting energy. It functions as a tool to reveal cosmic truths pertaining to the spiritual aspects of human experience.

Chief News Editor T. Selva has spent years researching and writing about the ancient Indian science of construction, better known as ‘Indian feng shui’. He is the first disciple of 7th generation Vasthu Sastra Master Yuvaraj Sowma from Chennai, India.

Source: http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?col=vasthusastra&file=/2011/2/13/columnists/vasthusastra/8041846&sec=Vasthu%20Sastra