Lee Kane, Editor
Author | Buddha Weekly
Lee Kane is the editor of Buddha Weekly, since 2007. His main focuses as a writer are mindfulness techniques, meditation, Dharma and Sutra commentaries, Buddhist practices, international perspectives and traditions, Vajrayana, Mahayana, Zen. He also covers various events.
Lee also contributes as a writer to various other online magazines and blogs.
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4/21/2018
Lee,
Very interesting image, what is the bird in the center?–Naga?
Steve
Hi Steve, I don’t think in this context it’s a Naga. I believe, if I remember correctly, it’s supposed to be a peacock or some form of “conceited” bird (often described as a proud cock (as opposed to hen) — the bird representing desire. The Three poisons are often represented by the bird, snake, pig representing respectively desire (bird), anger (snake) and ignorance (pig). This is from Ripa Wiki: “The pig stands for ignorance, although a pig is not necessarily more stupid than other animals. The comparison is based on the Indian concept of a pig being the most foolish of animals, since it always sleeps in the dirtiest places and eats whatever comes to its mouth. Similarly, the snake is identified with anger because it will be aroused and leap up at the slightest touch. The bird represents desire and clinging. In Western publications it is frequently referred to as a cock, but this is not exactly accurate. This particular bird does not exist in Western countries, as far as I know. It is used as a symbol because it is very attached to its partner.”