The Buddha Sheltered by a Naga: A Symbol of Compassion, Protection, and Enlightenment
The Buddha Sheltered by a Naga is a common motif in Buddhist art that depicts the Buddha sitting in meditation under the protective hood of a naga, a mythical serpent-like creature called Muchilinda.
Serpent king Muchilinda is a nāga, a snake-like being, who protected the Gautama Buddha from the elements after his enlightenment. According to the Mucalinda Sutta, after the Buddha achieved enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, he continued to meditate there for seven weeks. During that period, a storm arose and the rising waters threatened to submerge him. In order to protect him, the serpent king Muchilinda coiled his body beneath the seated Buddha to lift him up above the flood and spread his hood over him to serve as an umbrella.
After Buddha finished meditating and the sky cleared, Mucalinda adopted the form of a youth and bowed before him. The Buddha thanked Mucalinda for his protection and blessed him.
The Buddha Sheltered by a Naga is a powerful and evocative image that has resonated with Buddhists for centuries. This motif has various symbolic meanings that reflect the core teachings and values of Buddhism.
One of the meanings of this motif is the Buddha’s victory over the forces of evil. The naga is a powerful and dangerous creature, but the Buddha is able to tame it and bring it under his control. This symbolizes the Buddha’s victory over his own inner demons, such as greed, hatred, and delusion, as well as his victory over the external forces of ignorance and violence in the world. By overcoming these obstacles, the Buddha attained enlightenment and liberation from suffering.
Another meaning of this motif is the Buddha’s compassion and mercy. The naga is also a symbol of fertility and abundance, as it is believed to control the rain and the crops. By sheltering the Buddha under its hood, the naga is offering him its protection and support. This symbolizes the Buddha’s compassion for all beings, regardless of their nature or status, and his willingness to help them on their path to enlightenment. The Buddha taught that compassion is one of the four sublime states of mind that lead to happiness and peace.
A third meaning of this motif is the Buddha’s journey to enlightenment, which is a journey of self-discovery and self-integration. The naga is often associated with the underworld, or with the realm of the unconscious mind, where hidden aspects of the self reside. By sheltering the Buddha, the naga is helping him to integrate his shadow self and to achieve wholeness. This symbolizes the Buddha’s process of awakening, which involves transcending the dualities of self and other, good and evil, and samsara and nirvana.
It is a reminder of the Buddha’s victory over evil, his compassion for all beings, and his journey to enlightenment. It is also a representation of the harmony and balance between the natural and the supernatural, the human and the divine, and the mundane and the sublime.
