What does this symbol mean?

Davy

i have seen this several times now... what does it mean?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Zen-Buddhism-Symbol-Car-Wall-Vinyl-Decal-Sticker-/220524234635?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item335844c78b

Jeffrey

I think its an art form. People draw these circles with a spontaneity. Supposedly a zen teacher can look at your circle and tell whether or not you are in such a state of mind or if you are 'trying to make a good circle' when it should be spontaneous and effortless.

Perhaps I remember this incorrectly but I hope its on the right track.

shenpennangwa

Its an Enso.
It represents the ultimate truth of emptiness.
I am sure there are Zen folks here that could give you a more accurate and detailed explanation.

Valekhai

Stephen's right. It's called an enso.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enso

I don't know why, but I really like them. I have one as my desktop background at the moment and sometimes I catch myself just staring at it.

seeker242

I like this description.

The Zen circle is a simple, stark black circle usually painted on white paper in ink. Typically the circle is said to represent the material world that continues endlessly without cessation. There is a beginning to life (where the brush first touches the paper) and an end (where the brush leaves the paper), but this beginning and end continue one after the other, thereby signifying the wheel of birth, death and rebirth. The space within that circle is the emptiness, or the void, the understanding of which lies at the heart of Zen and the experience of which is the goal of meditation.

All well and good, but I would like to suggest a very different lesson that can be learned. If you want to actively participate then grab a pencil, an eraser and a clean sheet of paper.

First simply draw a circle on the paper. It doesn't have to be very 'good' from an artistic point of view and an approximation is adequate.

Now step back and take a look at the paper in its entirety. What do you see?

What you will inevitably notice is the circle. After all, it is the only thing to actually see.

Now shift your focus to what is inside the circle.

And now take a look at what is outside the circle.

Inside the circle and outside the circle.

What is inside and what is outside is the same. The circle - the idea of separation - is an illusion. The circle, which creates the duality of 'inside' and 'outside' or 'here' and 'there' is a false representation. The cycle of 'life' and 'death' that the circle shows is itself nothing more than a trick of the mind that habitually creates opposites where none in fact exist.

So take your eraser and wipe away the pencil mark on your paper.

This is the enlightened mind. The mind that is beyond duality. Limitless and formless. Infinite.

BonsaiDoug

And just FYI, the way you get that "ragged" end to the circle (using only one brush stroke) is to use a dry calligraphy brush as opposed to one already inked prior to the stroke.

sukhita

... and don't forget, the circle is always drawn clockwise, the same way one would circumambulate a stupa for instance. In the Buddha's days, there were no clocks, so the actual instruction could not have said "clockwise". Looking at the sun from India, (northern hemisphere) the sun rises on your left and sets on your right = clockwise(note: because India is in the northern hemisphere, you will have to face the south to see the full path of the sun from east to west).

PietroPumokin

IT Kind of looks like a tadpole

Davy

Thanks all. Was interested in hearing all your takes on it.

One place i read, said something like this "it signifies the enlightened person we all strive to be. So many times it is shown as not a full complete circle, but an imcomplete circle, to show we are all striving and not enlightened yet" http://www.presentationzen.com/.a/6a00d83451b64669e20120a5527a17970b-200wi