The name "Pundarikas" is derived from the Sanskrit word "Pundarika," which means "white lotus," thus "Pundarikas" can be interpreted as "blossoming white lotuses."
The lotus is a sacred symbol in Buddhism and holds special significance in regions influenced by Buddhism, such as China, Japan, India, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam, where it can be considered a symbol of the Pure Land.
The "Amitabha Sutra" records that each person in the Buddha's realm of the Pure Land has a lotus representing their true self. If your soul is pure and noble, your lotus will be white and large. If you are mean-spirited and commit evil deeds, your lotus will wither and wilt. Every good deed is like rain and dew nourishing your lotus, while every evil deed is like scorching it with flames. When you are reborn, the Buddha will come to guide you with this lotus. It can be imagined that if the lotus has died, it naturally cannot enter the Buddha's realm of the Pure Land and can only fall into hell.
The lotus is not only of high religious status but also practically helps in practice. There is a practice method of visualizing oneself sitting in a lotus position within a lotus, devoutly worshiping the Buddha and Bodhisattvas, to enhance the effectiveness of practice. If you are not a Buddhist and do not have a guru to lead you in practice, a simplified lotus meditation method can help you relieve anxiety. When thoughts become chaotic and moods become anxious, you can close your eyes and focus your attention on the process of exhaling and inhaling. At this time, if distractions arise, you can focus on imagining the details of the lotus, immersing yourself in this peaceful and harmonious image. Is your lotus white, pink, or red? Or is it a white lotus with red edges? How many layers of petals does the lotus have? Is there pollen on the stamen? Can you smell its subtle and fresh fragrance? Whenever your thoughts become chaotic, bring your attention back to the lotus to achieve the effect of calming your mood.
The lotus has become a Buddhist sacred object, which is inseparable from its own imagery. Regarding the imagery of the lotus, a Chinese Song Dynasty writer, Zhou Dunyi, summarized it well in "On the Love of the Lotus." He called the lotus the gentleman among flowers, saying that the lotus "emerges from the mud unsoiled, bathes in clear ripples without being coquettish, is hollow at the center and straight on the outside, without vines or branches, its fragrance travels far and becomes clearer, standing tall and clean, suitable for distant viewing but not for close play." Today, Zhou Dunyi's article is a must-learn chapter in Chinese middle school language education, and the imagery of the lotus is deeply rooted in the hearts of every Chinese person. The title "gentleman among flowers" is no longer just Zhou Dunyi's personal opinion but has become a consensus among all Chinese people.
Due to the noble character of the lotus, for a long time, people have used the character "Lian" to name their children, representing a beautiful wish for their children to develop a noble character in the future; literati also use the character "Lian" to give themselves a courtesy name, representing their pure spiritual pursuit. The most famous one is Li Bai, who is known as "Qinglian Jushi." In his poem "Sengjia Ge," he wrote, "Abiding by precepts, the autumn moon is bright in the long sky, the heart is like the color of the blue lotus in the world," where "blue lotus" refers to the color of purity and no contamination.
Due to these historical origins, the lotus has indeed become bound with Chinese culture. For example, in the "Kung Fu Panda" movie series, the protagonist Po the panda's real name is "lotus," which shows that in the minds of the creators, pandas and lotuses are both significant Chinese elements.
Our brand name, Pundarikas, implies blossoming the lotus in your heart. You, in front of the screen, and anyone on Earth are bathing in the same pool of purity, and every lotus can flourish and stand tall and graceful. With the holy power of the lotus, you can obtain pure energy, eliminate all filth, and return to your naturally endowed mood. Just as the lotus grows in the mud yet remains pure and flawless, you, troubled by worldly worries, can also return to a natural state of mind.
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