LOTUS PART II

The lotus can also be found in Indian and Oriental mythologies. The Hindu creation myth says that the golden lotus was brought forth from the primordial waters and that the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva are each found seated on a golden lotus. Vishnu is said to have slept on a lotus and then had a lotus stem issue from his naval.

Brahma, the creator god, is said to have sat on the lotus while he performed his creative work comprised of spirit and matter (or fire and water).
The consort to Vishnu, Lakshmi, came forth from the ocean upon a white lotus. Lakshmi is the goddess of wisdom and compassion. Some compare her to the Roman goddess, Venus.
In addition, the "lotus bearer" in Hindu mythology is Padmapani, who holds a lotus in each of his four hands.

In Buddhism, it is said that the night Gautama Buddha was conceived a huge lotus grew from the earth. This was synonomous with the golden lotus of Brahma. Buddha later became enlightened and associated with the lotus. Buddha sitting on an open lotus is a popular image of enlightenment or spiritual unfoldment. A common Buddhist meditation mantra is Om mani padme hum which means "jewel in the heart