Monastery Logo 

Monastery Logo 

Date Posted:
June 2009

Rinpoche offered some money on Buddha Day (Lha bab duchen) towards building the new Nalanda Monastery in France. They sent back a thank-you letter. When Rinpoche read it he made these comments about the monastery’s logo.

The logo needs to be more integrated. These are my suggestions:

The two hands should hold one lotus that blossoms in the middle, then above the two hands, on that lotus, there should be the text, and above that the sword, so, that means, one above each other.

There should be a bodhi leaf behind (see my drawing of a bodhi leaf attached) and also beams coming from the bodhi leaf. The logo really needs the bodhi leaf behind to make it more integrated.

The two hands signify guiding sentient beings, revealing the path: method and wisdom, first actualizing it within yourself and then guiding sentient beings by showing the two paths.

The three fingers standing up signify revealing the gradual path of the lower capable being, the gradual path of the middle capable being, and the gradual path of the higher capable being.

The finger and thumb touching signifies bringing all sentient beings to enlightenment by the unified state of Vajradhara, the unified holy body and mind.

The lotus, text, and sword signify in particular Lama Tsongkhapa’s unmistaken right view, understanding the middle way, also cutting the root of samsara and revealing the truth to others. The sword of wisdom realizing emptiness cuts the root of samsara for oneself and for all sentient beings.

The text reveals the whole path to enlightenment, through listening, reflecting, and meditating—understanding the teachings and able to achieve the path.

The bodhi leaf signifies that all practices on the path to enlightenment, from guru devotion up to enlightenment, must come from the good heart, bodhicitta, the thought of benefiting others. From the very beginning, all the stages of the path must come from bodhicitta.

The bodhi leaf also signifies the way you guide numberless sentient beings with bodhicitta, the good heart. Bodhicitta is the heart practice, we bring that to everyone. This is what makes it possible to achieve enlightenment.

The beams emitting from the bodhi leaf signify spreading the light of Dharma to all sentient beings and dispelling the darkness of all sentient beings. It signifies bringing the light of Dharma in the ten directions.

The piles of jewels signify receiving all needs and the necessary conditions to complete the path, especially for all the Sangha to be able to fulfill the wishes of all sentient beings.

The lotus signifies the Sangha, the pure monks and nuns, being wish-fullfilling for all beings, enabling all sentient beings to achieve the whole path to enlightenment.

Being on the world means Nalanda Monastery exists to benefit all sentient beings, the whole world, and the whole world is supporting Nalanda.

The dragons are for strength, to be very strong in one’s heart and mind, strong in Dharma practice, strong in higher training—morality, the vows, higher concentration, wisdom—also to overcome all obstacles, the inner obstacles—delusions—and the outer obstacles, such as economic needs.

It is best if the logo can be embossed, if not the whole logo, then at least the dragons.

So, this is my advice regarding the logo.