New Delhi, Aug. 29 -- Rev Seishi Hirose, Chief Priest of Daruma ji Temple, presented a Daruma doll to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Daruma is an iconic cultural symbol and popular souvenir of Japan, modeled after Bodhidharma, the Indian monk from Kancheepuram and founder of Zen Buddhism.

Known as a symbol of perseverance and good luck, the Daruma doll is often used to represent the setting and achieving of goals. Traditionally, one eye is filled in when a goal is set, and the other when the goal is achieved.

The doll's rounded bottom allows it to pop back up when tipped over, symbolizing the virtue of never giving up, as captured by the Japanese saying, "Fall seven times, stand up eight." Its unique shape, lacking limbs and eyes, re...