Tuesday 13 January 2015




Sun & Crescent Moon Thokcha
(with Three Jewels at the apex)
44 mm x 28 mm

The sun and moon are two of the most important symbols in Vajrayana Buddhism. The sun (red) represents the feminine aspect of wisdom and the moon (white) represents the male aspect or compassion.  Together they represent the union of wisdom and compassion, the essence of Buddhahood. The Three Jewels or Triple Gem at the apex represent the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. It is through complete reliance or refuge in the Three Jewels that wisdom and compassion can be fully realised.

"But what is a buddha? Briefly, a buddha is one who has developed his or her compassion (Tib. tsé) and wisdom (Tib. khyen) to the ultimate level, beyond all limits. Wisdom, in this context, refers not to an accumulation of knowledge but to the ability to see the true nature of things. What characterizes a Buddha therefore is wisdom and compassion"
~ Ringu Tulku Rinpoche ~