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For thousands of years, the lion has been a symbol of royalty, strength and bravery. For these reasons, the lion symbolizes the royal origins of Buddha Shakyamuni, as well as his courage in challenging injustice and alleviating human suffering. He is referred to as “Lion of the Shakyas,” an acknowledgment of the power of his teachings. The Buddhas’ voice is often called the “Lion’s Roar,” roaring out the Dharma for all to hear. The symbolic meaning of the lion’s roar reminds us to strive with the courageous heart of the lion king and overcome obstacles in our path, creating happiness and harmony in our lives and in society.

The lions serve as guardians, represented in pairs at the entrance of shrines, temples, and monasteries. They are symbolic of the Bodhisattvas, the "Buddha's lions," and can be found in their role of Dharma protectors supporting the throne of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and serving as their mounts. Mañjuśrī, the Bodhisattva of great wisdom mounts a lion, symbolized in The Flower Adornment Sutra (Avatamsaka).

Tricycle provides a unique and independent public forum for exploring Buddhism, establishing a dialogue between Buddhism and the broader culture, and introducing Buddhist thinking to Western disciplines. This approach has enabled Tricycle to successfully attract readers from all walks of life, many of whom desire to enrich their lives through a deeper knowledge of Buddhist traditions.

https://tricycle.org/magazine/