Padma Award

Padma Award Program (from the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin Girl Scouts 25th Anniversary book) March 9 and 10, 1996

The purpose of the Padma Award is to give Buddhist Girl Scouts practical guidance in achieving the spiritual aspiration made in the Girl Scout Promise and Laws, thereby developing a girl whose views and actions in life will stem from the highest of the Buddhist thoughts. The Padma Award is a four-part program for Girl Scouts.

The Padma Award is a medal consisting of a pendant, ribbon and a bar. The pendant is the Lotus Blossom. It is a symbol which represents equality and purity of all things. The ribbon is wisteria-color representing the symbolic color of Jodo Shinshu. This ribbon is attached to a crossbar which has the inscription “Padma,” a Sanskrit word. The Padma Award may be worn on the official Girl Scout uniform. It is presented by the temple to a Buddhist Girl Scout in recognition of her spiritual growth as shown by her fulfilling the Award requirements.

The Award program recognizes the ten Girl Scout Laws and gives the Girl Scout a solid basis for fuller understanding and greater appreciation of all phases of the Girl Scout program.