The Elephant is a symbol of the strength of the mind in Buddhism. Exhibiting noble gentleness, the precious elephant serves as a symbol of the calm majesty possessed by one who is on the path. On the other hand, a crazed elephant represents the dangers of an untamed mind.
In this world, unsubdued and crazed elephants
Are incapable of causing such harms
As the miseries of the deepest hell
Which can be caused by the unleashed elephant of my mind.
But if the elephant of my mind is firmly bound
On all sides by the rope of mindfulness,
All fears will cease to exist
And all virtues will come into my hand.
Tigers, lions, elephants, bears,
Snakes and all forms of enemies,
The guardians of the hell worlds,
Evil spirits and cannibals
Will all be bound
By binding mind alone,
And all will be subdued
By subduing my mind alone.
The Perfect Teacher himself has shown
That in this way all fears,
As well as all boundless miseries,
Originate from the mind.
Shantideva, The Way of the Bodhisattva
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