Chinese title: The Relationship between the Zodiac and Buddhism – Meaning, Symbolism and Names Explained
Introduction: Buddhism is an important part of Chinese culture, permeating all aspects of social life, and even has its own unique embodiment in traditional folk culture such as the zodiac. This article will focus on the “relationship between the 12 zodiac signs and Buddhism”, and analyze the rich cultural connotations contained in them from multiple perspectives such as meaning, symbolism and name.
1. Introduction to the 12 zodiac signs
In traditional Chinese culture, the zodiac is a unique way for people to record time. Each year corresponds to a zodiac sign, and the cycle of twelve years constitutes the twelve zodiac signs in people’s mouths, namely the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. Each zodiac sign has its own unique meaning and symbolism.
2. The relationship between Buddhism and the Chinese zodiac
Buddhism emphasizes the idea of karma and reincarnation, which is closely related to the concept of the flow of time and the cycle of life in the zodiac culture. Many elements of Buddhism have been integrated into the zodiac culture, forming a unique “symbol of the Buddha nature of the Chinese zodiac”.Spribe Điện Tử
3. Meaning and symbolism
1. Rat: Symbolizing wit and dexterity, the Buddhist meaning is that karma is fast, just like a rat shuttling quickly. In Buddhist stories, it is also sometimes used to represent the wisdom of bodhichitta.
2. Ox: Represents diligence and endurance, and symbolizes perseverance and perseverance in Buddhist practice. At the same time, the ox also represents the compassionate heart in Buddhism.
3. Tiger: Symbolizes bravery and strength. Buddhist practice requires strong inner strength, so the tiger symbolizes determination and perseverance in Buddhism.
4. Rabbit: It represents prudence and tact, and also symbolizes the sobriety and rationality of the practitioner in the face of temptation. At the same time, the rabbit also represents the vitality and vitality of life.
5. Dragon: Symbolizes auspiciousness and dignity in Chinese culture. In Buddhism, the dragon is often used to symbolize the boundless wisdom and power of the Dharma. In addition, the “Eight Divisions of the Heavenly Dragon” is also an important part of the Buddhist protector gods. As for the snake, it symbolizes the difficulties and challenges in the transformation and transformation process. The horse symbolizes the power of action and perseverance. The sheep represents a symbol of peace and compassion, among other things. The chicken represents vigilance and diligence, while the dog represents loyalty and vigilance. The pig symbolizes patience and wisdom, and other meanings, and other symbols, all of which have their own unique symbolic meanings, which are related to the close connection of Buddhist culture. In addition, the name of each zodiac sign is associated with a specific Buddhist word or story, further demonstrating the profound influence of Buddhist culture in traditional Chinese culture. 4. Name Analysis: In addition to the symbolic meaning, the name of each zodiac sign is also related to a specific Buddhist word or story, which further reflects the far-reaching influence of Buddhist culture in traditional Chinese culture, for example, the rat is called “Zishen” in Buddhism, symbolizing wisdom and agility; The cow is called the “Zen cow”, which represents the patience and diligence of the practitioner; The dragon is known as one of the “Eight Divisions of the Heavenly Dragon”, reflecting its important position in Buddhism, and so on. 5. Conclusion: As an important part of Chinese culture, the Chinese zodiac not only reflects people’s unique way of recording time, but also reflects the far-reaching influence of Buddhist culture in traditional Chinese culture. By understanding the relationship between the zodiac signs and Buddhism, we can better understand the richness of Chinese culture and the impact of Buddhism on people’s lives.
