Four Heavenly Kings: These gods watch over the four cardinal
directions. They live in the four
palaces of the four directions of Mount Meru, in order to preserve and protect
the Buddha dharma by taking the form of world protectors.
Yulkhor Sung: white, east, plays
guitar, because he rule the realm that lives on melodious music Phah-Skespo:
blue, south, his sword presents him as a defender of the faith Chanme-Zang: red, west, a stupa in his right hand and a snake in his left
Nathos-Ses: yellow, north, a mongoose in his left hand which pours gems out of its mouth, and a victory banner in his right, causing showers of wealth to fall by shaking it
Wheel of Life: This wheel, held by Yama, represents the
realms a soul can be reborn into, the causes of suffering, and the stages of
dependent origin.
The
realms: human, gods, titans, and ghosts, animals, hell
The
causes of suffering: ignorance, greed, hatred
The stages of dependent origin:
ignorance, willed action, conditioned consciousness, form and existence, senses,
sense-impressions, sensation, craving, attachment, becoming, birth, old age/death
Om
Mani Padme Hum: The oldest mantra of Tibetan Buddhism, the lotus representing
human consciousness, and the jewel, as within the conscious, bodhicitta, the awakened mental state,
is representative of compassion and the seeking of nirvana.
This
mantra is painted and carved onto rocks and boulders.
Bring a flashlight, or buy one.
Foreigners under 30 traveling domestically can get 25% off
of a Jet Airlines ticket price, but not buying online, like I did.
