Buddha Paintings :: Falling Lotus Buddha Painting

All things have a story...

The painting above comes from Thailand, and is inspired by the Buddhist art in that region. In Thailand, a particular sect of Buddhism is practiced called Theravada that has had a strong influence over its Buddhist art. Theravada literally means "Doctrine of the Elders" and is the oldest school of Buddhist philosophy/religion that is practiced. Ironically, this branch of Buddhism eventually declined, nearly to the point of extinction, in India, where it originated, but now thrives in many South East Asian countries and Sri Lanka.

The Theravada Buddhists base their practice on the foundation of the Pali Canon, which was written in the last century before Christ was born (over 2,000 years ago). The Pali Canon is generally accepted as the most pure and authentic branch of Buddhism by Theravadas and even other Buddhist sects. According to the Theravada Buddhists, craving and desire is the cause of all human suffering. These cravings typically manifest as anger, jealousy, hatred, greed, envy and the like. They stem from a deeply rooted affliction in the mind that is carried from lifetime to lifetime. To be freed from these cravings and the suffering that results from them, one must work extremely hard to uproot them and eradicate the source of where they originate. This is done through an internal fight, where one will look deep into oneself and analyze and investigate the source of their existence. Fortunately, a method is given in Buddhism to help perpetuate and free the Buddhist practitioner of these cravings.

The primary tool of this method is the Noble Eightfold Path and the practice of the Four Noble Truths. After many years of practice, sometimes lifetimes, the Buddhist practitioner can cleanse him or herself of these cravings and begin to realize liberation from suffering. This is called Enlightenment and is the ultimate goal of all Theravada Buddhists. The lotus flower is symbolic of gaining the enlightened state, as it represents purity and an awakening of consciousness. Just as the soul rises out of the muck to achieve a pure state, the lotus flower rises out of the mud to exhibit its beauty to the world. This is why lotus flowers are typically depicted in paintings and artwork of the Buddha.