Elements of Buddhist Iconography c8.152

c8.152

As explained in our text, the lotus can be distinguished logically from the Tree of Life and Axis of the Universe in its various other aspects, at the same time that it is coincident with these and extends from base to summit of the manifested universe, with branches proceeding to right and left like those of the Cross; which branches are the supports or “nests” of individual principles, and the means of their connection with the centre, as may be seen in most examples of the Tree of Jesse, as well as in the upper half of the present figure. When there are doves on the branches, this corresponds exactly to RV., I, 164, 21, yatra suparṇā amṛtasya bhāgam . . . abhi svaranti, “There the Fairwings chant their share of aeviternity,” X, 91, 2 where Agni “as a bird finds a home on every tree,” Bṛhadāraṇyaka Up., IV, 3, 2, “The haṃsa, the Golden Person, by the Spirit wards His lower nest,” and many analogous texts.