It’s a profound question that has puzzled humanity for ages. Many paths explore this question, and Buddhism offers insights that can benefit everyone, regardless of their beliefs.
At its core, Buddhism teaches us to let go of attachments, cultivate compassion, and practice mindfulness. These principles may manifest differently for each person, but they all lead to greater joy, peace, fulfilment, and a more profound sense of purpose and meaning.
Embrace mindfulness to experience each moment fully. Practice mindful meditation, breathing, eating, and walking to immerse yourself in the present.
Release attachments to the past and future, focusing on the present. Practice appreciation, meditate mindfully, and declutter your life.
Extend loving kindness to yourself and others. Practice self-compassion, empathy, kindness, and forgiveness for oneself and others.
Direct your attention to the positives in life. Keep a gratitude journal, express thanks to others, and appreciate life’s small joys.
Recognize that everything is temporary. Stay present, release attachments, and welcome change with curiosity and acceptance that everything happens for a reason and there are lessons to be learnt from the experience.
Accept change as a constant. Nurture adaptability, welcome the unfamiliar, seek support, and take incremental steps toward change.
Sacred Mirror
The Sacred Mirror represents consciousness and the element of space. Clear, pure and bright, the mirror reflects all phenomena objectively without bias, thereby reminding us to practice objectivity and to rise above our judgmental minds. On a more subtle level, it reflects the Buddha’s core teaching of emptiness – that nothing exists on its own side without a dependent arising cause.
Pinnacle of the mirror
The pinnacle of the mirror, formed by the white crescent moon, flaming red sun and an orange flame of fire, represents the completion stage of Vajrayana practice.
Light Rays
The light rays radiating from the Sacred Mirror represent the flourishing of the Buddha’s teachings, fanning out to the furthest reaches of the universe.
Full Moon Disc
The moon disc represents Bodhicitta, the aspiration to become a Buddha to benefit all sentient beings.
Blue Lotus
Divinely fragrant, blue lotuses bloomed only in the Buddha’s time. By incorporating it into the temple’s logo, it is symbolic of the ever-present Buddha in Thekchen Choling. Moreover, a lotus flower represents purity, perfection, compassion and renunciation, similar to how the beautiful lotus remains untainted even though it had arisen out from the muddy waters.
Nine Precious Jewels
These nine precious jewels represent the Guru, Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, yidam or mind-seal deity, Dharma protector, the sky, earth, and the human realm.
Two Dragons
The two dragons represent continuity and harmony and create the cause for the temple to enjoy the strong support of members and benefactors for Dharma to flourish.
Golden Khata
The flowing golden khata represents the auspicious increase of all Dharma activities.
The Seven Gems of the Chakravartin or a Wheel-Turning King
1. The precious horse represented by a unicorn’s horn
2. The precious elephant represented by its tusks
3. The precious queen represented by round golden earrings
4. The precious minister represented by square golden earrings
5. The precious general represented by a pair of crossed swords
6. The precious jewel represented by the triple-eyed gem
7. The precious Dharma wheel represented by a branch of coral
