Sunday, January 27, 2013

The Buddha's Footprints

Images of the Buddha's footprints, or Buddhapada, are a symbol commonly found inside Bangkok taxis. According to Buddhist legend, his footsteps created impressions in stone after his enlightenment. Another story contends that the Buddha took seven steps when he was an infant to represent his spiritual power. This emblem also reminds followers, including Thai cabbys, that the Buddha entered nirvana and is no longer present in the physical world. And according to this taxi driver, the design on his sticker symbolizes his taxi moving forward despite traffic jams and road construction.