Elements of Buddhist Iconography c4.52

c4.52

The world-lotus naturally blooms in response to the rising of the Sun "in the beginning"; in answer to and as a reflection of the Light of Heaven mirrored on the surface of the Waters. Earth as a reflection of Heaven is stretched out in like measure (Taittirīya Saṃhitā, IV, 1, 3, and IV, 2, 8), this world is the counterpart (anurūpam) of yonder world (Aitareya Brāhmaṇa, VIII, 2); hence, no doubt, the two lotuses held by the Sun in iconography, corresponding to Upper and Nether Waters, para and apara Prakṛti.38 However, the light of Heaven may be thought of not merely as