Lotus position

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Kodo Sawaki in lotus position practices zazen
Kodo Sawaki in lotus position practices zazen
The first pictorial representation of the lotus position is seen in the ancient Indian depiction of Shiva as Pashupati, Lord of Beasts, in Harappa
The first pictorial representation of the lotus position is seen in the ancient Indian depiction of Shiva as Pashupati, Lord of Beasts, in Harappa

The lotus position (Devanāgarī: पद्मासन; IAST: padmāsana; Japanese: kekka fuza (結跏趺坐?)) is a cross-legged sitting posture which originated in representations and meditative practices of Hinduism. It is an established part of the Hindu Yoga tradition. The position is said to resemble a lotus, encourage proper breathing and foster physical stability.

Famous depictions of the lotus-posture include Shiva, the meditating ascetic god of Hinduism, and the Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. The first pictorial representation of padmasana is seen in the ancient Indian depiction of Shiva as Pashupati, Lord of Beasts, in Harrapa.[1]

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[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of World Religions By Wendy Doniger, Merriam-Webster. page 504. Published 1999 Merriam-Webster. ISBN 0877790442

[edit] References

  • Becoming the Lotus: How to Achieve the Full Lotus Posture by Anton Temple (Author), Franca Gallo (Editor), Pip Faulks (Illustrator) Paperback: 64 pages, Publisher: Merkur Publishing, Inc (1 Dec 2006) Language: English, ISBN-10: 1885928181, Dimensions: 5.8 x 8.3 inches
  • Yoga, Tantra and Meditation in Daily Life by Swami Janakananda Saraswati (Author), Paperback: 128 pages, Publisher: Red Wheel/Weiser (Sep 1992), Language: English, ISBN-10: 0877287686 ISBN-13: 978-0877287681, Dimensions: 8.3 x 9.8 x 0.3 inches


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