Five Similarities Between Religion and Spirituality
When we were children we were asked, Which came first, the chicken or the egg? If we based our answer on the creation story in the Bible, we would answer, Chicken. But if we based our answer on our experience in raising chickens, our answer would be, Egg. The same can be said of the answer to the question, Which came first, Religion or Spirituality? In terms of our experience with religious books and discussions, religion came first. It is only now that more and more people are talking about spirituality and writing about it. In terms of the origin of the reality behind those words or in terms of the object of our understanding, spirituality came first. The spirit was there before there was any...
The Temples of Tibet - Visiting the Center of Buddhism
Visiting temples in Tibet is an experience that is sure to stay with you for the rest of your life. That's what I experienced when I visited the country for creating my photography book Child of Tibet: a lost innocence. The architecture demonstrated in many of the Tibetan temples is awe inspiring to say the least. One such example is the Drepung Monastery, located in the west of Lhasa, the country's capital. It is a massive formation which some say resembles a whole city, and has intricate designs which from above could be said to resemble the scales of a fish in uniform rows. It is a grand spectacle for the eye! At the heart of the temples is Buddhism, and as such they were considered a place of...
Dr Akong Rinpoche - Providing Hope and Fighting Hunger in Nepal and Tibet
Dr. Akong Rinpoche founded ROPKA back in the 1990s in response to the poor conditions of the masses in both Tibet and Nepal as well as across Europe. Dr. Rinpoche (born in 1939) was discovered by a search party seeking the first Akong who had been the Abbott of the Dolma Lhakang monastery in Kham. The search party had been given precise instructions as to where to find the boy by the 16th Gyalma Karmapa. Gyarma Karmapa is the title of the top leader of the Kamstang tradition in Buddhism. By the time he was four young Akong Rinpoche was taken to the monastery to receive a formal education and training to become the new Abbot upon completion of his studies. He was also taught all of the traditional...
Recently, our Online Think Tank was criticized in a major publication for a philosophy research paper that was on the website. The philosophy paper was about the problems of Eastern and Western Religions and their influences on thinking in human civilizations and societies. It appears someone took it upon themselves to write an op-ed about how Middle Eastern Culture was not the answer. Amazingly enough, Middle Eastern Culture or the World of Islam, was not even discussed at all. Indeed, the short paper on Philosophy is to get people to think beyond the confines of Religion and get the human species to think towards the forward progression rather then wallowing in the names of academia's favorite...
World Religions and Happiness - Religious Beliefs As a Way to Happiness
World religions have at least one thing in common; and that is the concept of happiness. They all tell suggest that they have a way of for you to find happiness. I briefly discuss major worldwide religious beliefs, and introduce a universal method to happiness in this commentary. "Adherence" published a survey on major world religions in 2005. They ranked them in order of self-identification of adherents to their religious beliefs. The most prevalent world religions were: Christianity (2.1 billion), Islam (1.5 billion), and Hinduism (900 million). It is interesting that the group of secularist, which includes all people who do not adhere to any of the recognized world religions or to any particular...
World Religions: the World as Experience and Idea
What is religion? There are many definitions for the term ""religion"" in common usage. On this web site, we define it very broadly, in order to include the greatest number of belief systems: ""Religion is any specific system of belief about deity, often involving rituals, a code of ethics, and a philosophy of life."" Thus we include here all of the great monotheistic religions, Eastern religions; Neopagan religions; a wide range of other faith groups, spiritual paths, and ethical systems; and beliefs about the existence of God(s) and Goddess(es). We recognize that most people define ""religion"" in a much more exclusive manner. Many philosophies hold that the world is an illusion. Yet you...
The Beauty of the Jewish Religion
There is great beauty in the Jewish religion. It is a religion that doesn't involve itself with missionary work. Noone is encouraged to join, and in fact when you wish to convert your rabbi is forced to try to talk you out of converting at least three times. That very point is little known among many who claim to know what Judaism is all about. But that isn't the only thing people don't understand. Also, when you have a Torah (the first five books of Moses) on a desk, you never put anything on top of it. God's Law can never be added to or superseded. The beautiful laws are given as commandments to man, and we should never rebel against God. He is our Creator so he definitely knows what is best for...
Ladakh Monasteries: Retaining The Age Old Buddhist Practices
Buddhist Monasteries are the key attractions to the tourists visiting the beautiful valley of Ladakh. Monasteries or Gompas are ancient structures, where Buddhist monks and nuns live, study and practice their religion. Almost all of these historic monasteries are situated in scenic locations, on hills and mountains. Tourists visit these places very frequently and admire the architecture and art collection here. The greatest concentration of major Buddhist monasteries or gompas can be found in the central Ladakh. These main centres for worship, isolated meditation and religion teaching belong to either the Red Hat sect or the Yellow-Hat sect of Tibetan monasticism. Over twelve monasteries are...
iv id="body"> The Fifth Dimension encouraged us to "Let the sunshine in" forty years ago. "When the moon is in the Seventh House, And Jupiter aligns with Mars, Then peace will guide the planets, And love will steer the stars, This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius ... Let the sun shine ... The sun shine in." -- Fifth Dimension While there is much contention about when the Age of Aquarius actually begins, many suggest it has arrived, representing the birth of a new age of humankind. When I look around I certainly see lots of change, and I'm not just talking about an economic downturn, banking system failure or wars. I'm seeing a fascinating, exciting and an encouraging shift. Over the last few...
Buddhist Jewelry - Symbols of Spirituality
There are many different styles of Buddhist jewelry to choose from. However, what is the right style for you? While most jewelry is a personal preference, Buddhist jewelry isn't just a fashion statement. Instead they should be used to help heal your body and mind. Allowing you to gain either enlightenment or health through wearing Buddhist Jewelry. One of the most popular are necklaces, charms, earrings, or rings that display the beautiful lotus flower. As a symbol of enlightenment the lotus has become an essential symbol in Buddhist jewelry. Whether it is molded from sterling silver, carved from a beautiful authentic jade stone, or 24K gold; the lotus is one of the most popular pieces of Buddhist...
Research on World Religion
When it comes to religion there are several aspects and areas that can be discussed and researched. The only way to learn more about the various religions is to read on some that you have not attended or practiced. However, there are classes that teach the various religions, but, not everyone wants to commit to a college course. Authors, articles and websites are the next best venue for information. So, I wanted to review some information based on historical research that an author had already done. A book titled "19000 Years of World History" caught my eye and it was of good size which gave me the impression that the author Prithviraj Rathod had spent quite a large amount of time researching the...
Another Reason to Dump All World Religions in the Present Period
We see in the world culture clashes and even wars fought over religions and religious literature with vengeance. But why? If all these religions are so old and we humans knew so little back then, wouldn't ya say it is time to upgrade the human species a tad and well ditch all religion in the present period so we can maintain a steady clip of forward progression in the human race into the next period. I am serious. Why not just get rid of all of it. Silly humans wake up, you are killing each other over some old wives tales and folklore which they made up to control your ancestors. Those people who made it all up are all dead now, you don't have to follow all that piddly dribble any longer? Wake up...
Buddha Mandala Thangka: About Buddha mandala Thangka
Instructed nuns. The Buddha was far nuns. The Buddha was far ahead of his time, but also a product of his time in that he did not consider women inferior, but only reluctantly agreed to allow women into the order. The two disciples we encounter everywhere in northern Buddhism are Sharputta and Maudgalyayana. They stand, from the Buddha’s perspective, to the right and left of his throne, each holding an alms bowl and a jingling beggar’s staff. In the thangka they radiate holiness, with their nimbuses, which are green here, and a transparent nandorala glowing behind each of them. They stand in an opulent green landscape, each on a little square rug. Both were sons of Brahmans. They met at a party...
Spirituality - The Trouble With Faith Based Religions
I was raised in a faith based religion and spent the first 15 years of my life searching for a spiritual experience within that paradigm. Throughout I was taught that such an experience could only come after my supposed death at which time I would meet my creator. In addition my inability to access any kind of spiritual connection while alive was explained to me to be the result of my inability to have faith in the proclaimed God and hence there was something wrong with me. This initially filled me with deep remorse as well as a sense of inadequacy and unworthiness. Needless to say this only undermined my self esteem, my peace of mind and any faith I may have had. As time went by I began to accept...
Tibet Tourism Facts
For example, you may take the Qinghai-Tibetan Railway. As the train climbs, you will be able to enjoy the amazing scenery as you acclimate yourself to higher and higher altitude. The train, which runs all the way from Shanghai and Beijing, has two different oxygen supply systems to make sure you can breathe without difficulty. Or you may decide to enter Tibet by automobile. This means that you will take the Zhongni Highway which is considered the best highway to take to Tibet. It is usually free of avalanches in winter, and free of landslides in the warmer months. If you are flying into Lhasa Airport, when you land, you are already at 3,650 meters (11,975 ft) above sea level. As a comparison: Paris...
aganda are a group of Bantu speaking people in Uganda. They are the majority of Ugandan tribes as of today making 17% of Uganda’s population. Traditionally they were the most civilized people in Uganda where Christianity came to Uganda in 1877. Although Islam had come earlier, fewer people had followed it compared to those who followed chriatianity. And for that matter when Christianity came many people went with it .And no matter the majority today are Christians. But this does not mean that they left their traditional religion. Some Baganda people are still practicing their traditional religion side by side with the current western religions. In this article, I will give you the little I have...
The Future of World Religions at the Cross Roads
The Catholic Pope is now under fire from Islam for comments made during a speech, which was like a history lesson about the wars between religion of the past and why they should be reviewed and prevented in the future. Unfortunately, it was misinterpreted by the Islamic Clerics and now we have yet another issue akin to the cartoons that offended the Muslim World. Is it the Catholic World we should scold for the comments of the Pope or should we scold the Muslim World for blowing it up out of context? This clash of religion and wars has gone on too long. Who is at fault? Well we all are for allowing these conflicts to permeate our minds, TV sets and the World Mass Media, but really all-religion is...
Relationship Between Men and Women in Buddhism - Part 1
All women are dakinis and we should treat them like that. In Buddhism, women are considered the pillar of the family. They provide emotional strength, they are gentle and feminine, yet strong, they are miracle workers and their energy is wisdom. They produce children and they produce what we want. They give us company and they support us. In Asian societies especially, women are incredible because they are taught to put up with a lot of things from men and they do put up with it. Women are treasures and we have to treat them like that. What men want is not to come home to a nagging wife who rants and raves, and complains about everything. Men feel that they have worked all day and they just want to...
Mummification - Religion and Spirituality
The ancient Egyptian mystic writings, The Book of the Dead, describes much of mummification. A lot of the ancient Egyptians followed the Book of the Dead, therefore mummification was needed when a person deceased to go on to the other world. This article will tell you some information that are fascinating about mummification. Now we know that mummification was very important for the individuals of ancient Egypt. Also, cats were mummified after death. Maintaining ones, body of a dead person was needed and there was arranged a basic funeral practices in the world of ancient Egypt. If the corpse was not reserved, then the "Ka" would not can to come back and help the dead people. If the body had taken...
What Are Prayer Flags
While many have the impression that Buddhism is a religion not known for its icons and symbols, this is not an accurate assessment. There are many components to the worship of Buddhism that are integrated into its worship. One such item is that of the prayer flag. In fact, so common is the prayer flag in certain circles of Buddhism that the flag is the defining symbolic item that clearly displays a Buddhist place of worship or the home of a practitioner of Buddhism. So, what are prayer flags and what is their purpose? The following overview may provide some insight into these questions… Prayer flags are commonly found in Tibet and they are usually employed to decorate monasteries and homes. (These...
What is Buddhism?
What is Buddhism? Why should we ask that? Buddhism is defined as a religion (a really large one, with 500 million followers according to some sources), although not everyone agrees on that, saying that it could be considered a philosophy or a way of life. Buddhism gets its name from Siddharta Gautama, whom was called the Buddha by his followers. This is a title that means the awakened one or the enlightened one. He is thought to have lived in Northern India around the year 500 BC. We don't have many historical facts about him, but we can say that he existed and lived in India. He was a prince of the Shakya tribe, son of King Suddhodana and Queen Maya. It has been common in the Buddhist world to...
Buddhism by Barnara
social media advertising ">From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search A statue of the Buddha in Bodhgaya, India. Bodhgaya is traditionally considered the place of his awakening[1] Part of a series on Buddhism Dharma Wheel Portal of Buddhism History of Buddhism Timeline - Buddhist councils Major figures Gautama Buddha Disciples · Later Buddhists Dharma or concepts Four Noble Truths Noble Eightfold Path Three marks of existence Dependent origination Sa?sara · Nirva?a Skandha · Cosmology Karma · Rebirth Practices and attainment Buddhahood · Bodhisattva 4 stages of enlightenment Wisdom · Meditation Smarana · Precepts · Paramitas Three Jewels · Monastics...
Northern Buddhism in Its Good and Hard Times
NSITION In summary, the Buddhist history as told above can be roughly divided into periods of five hundred years. In the first five hundred years, the original Theravada tradition was strong, and the further development of Buddhism in Theravada countries is the product of this period. The second period saw the prosperity of Mahayana, the rise of its major schools of Madhyamika and Yogacara, and their spread to Central Asia and China where Mahayana flourished and spread further to other northeastern countries. During the third period, the Mahayana degenerated into an unhealthy form of Tantra and lost ground in most parts of India until Buddhism was brought to an end in its homeland by the Turkish...
Tibetan Buddhist Mala Beads
Tibetan Buddhist prayer beads have a wide and varied history. Prayer beads are not unique to Buddhism, believers in Catholicism use prayer beads in the form of a rosary, and they say the rosary as they move their hands over each bead. Prayer beads were first used in Hinduism, in Hinduism they are called japa mala. Prayer beads are also used by Muslims. Believers in the Bahai faith also use prayer beads in their practices. Tibetan Buddhist prayer beads are also known as the Buddhist rosary or by the word mala. The word mala literally means a garland or strand and represents the unity of all things in Tibetan Buddhism. A typical strand of Tibetan Buddhist prayer beads contains 108 beads. This practice...
Buddhist Pilgrimages in Ladakh
The moment you enter Ladakh, you are greeted by hemispherical Gompas, Stupas and Chortens hinting towards the prominence of Buddhism here that sanctify the calm and impressive surroundings of the Himalayas. The hills, valleys and the gorges here seem to echo the Buddhist chants, as little boys dressed in traditional attire of the monks pass by. The beautiful hill station wears a spiritual look owing to these Buddhist institutions, monasteries, pilgrimage sites, monastery festivals, prayer wheels, Buddhist Mandals and paintings known as Thangkas. Mahayana and Vajrayana schools of Buddhism prevails in the region that derives its influence mostly from Tibet. Lord Gautam Buddha is worshiped and his...
The Needless Battle Between Hindu and Buddhist Brothers
Gautama was born, brought up, and lived his entire life as a Hindu. His stated purpose for teaching what he did was to alleviate suffering. He never intended to drive a wedge between his countrymen, and I think he'd be greatly saddened to see what some people are doing today in his name -- just as he would be to see that caretakers of the ancient Hindu religion choosing dogma over humanity. Hinduism and Buddhism are more alike than they are different. The same is true incidentally of Christianity and Islam, or Judaism and Islam. While it's noble to stand up for what you believe, it's very sad when good people are manipulated into that position by purely emotional arguments from those who stand to...
Religion In Japan
Religion in Japan more than a specific set of beliefs or doctrines practiced on a daily basis, is a blend of traditions that stem from the early teachings of Shintoism and Buddhism, and which most Japanese have incorporated into rituals and customs that are applied on special occasions, such as visiting a Shinto shrine to mark the birth of a new baby, or attending wedding ceremonies performed by Shinto priests. Buddhism also plays a large role in this religious heritage, in that most funerals in Japan are overseen by Buddhist priests, who in addition to their specific duties at the ceremony perform an ongoing series of rites on death day anniversaries of deceased family members. Many of the...
The Decline of Indian Buddhism
had Buddhism flourished during many centuries following Asoka’s time through the periods of the Bactrian Greek dynasty (3rd century B.C. to 1st century C.E.), the Kushan emperors (1st-3rd century C.E.), and the Gupta’s golden age (4th-6th century C.E.). According to Sir R.G. Bhandarkar, “The period that we are speaking of has left no trace of a building or sculpture devoted to the use of the Brahmin religion. Of course, Brahminism existed and it was probably during this period being developed into the form which it assumed in later times. But the religion certainly does not occupy the prominent position, and Buddhism was followed by the large mass of the people from princes down to...
Why Idol Worship in Some Form is So Inevitable in Every Religion?
Idol worship is one of the most repugnant acts in religions. Some religions like Judaism and Islam prohibits the Idol worship and a person who worship Idol faces the greatest displeasure of God and he is liable to be punished to death. The Third of the Ten Commandments of Old Testament clearly state, "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or the water below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them." (Exodus 20 4-5). According to the Quran, idolatry is the gravest sin. It is seen as the only categorically unforgivable sin. Like Islam, the Orthodox Christians abhor idol worship. There was a great resistance from the Christianity...
Buddhism and the West in the Eyes of Western Scholars
John Walters, a British journalist converted to Buddhism, writes in his The Essence of Buddhism: "This, in the West, is a period of gigantic material and economic progress..... It is often boasted that everything in America has, with her amazing material progress, changed for the better. But what of man ? Everything may appear happier; yet man himself is no happier. Today, as statistics prove, a bigger proportion of people than ever before worry themselves into insanity. Psychiatry has become a big business because of the fears of men and women that they are going mad." "An increasing number of men and women, bewildered by the material and ideological chaos of today, are finding that the teaching of...
The Influence of Buddhism on the New Age Movement
"The experience of each new age requires a new confession, and the world seems always waiting for its poet" On May 25th 1880 the well known Victorian spiritual philosopher Madame Blavatsky and New Age icon and Colonel Olcott, took the three refuges and the five precepts from a Buddhist priest in a temple in Galle, a town in Sri Lanka, before a large crowd of Sri Lankan Buddhists. When they had finished the last of the Silas and offered flowers in the customary way there was a mighty shout from the crowd. Olcott and Blavatsky were the founders of the Theosophical Society, one of the most important influential religious movements of the late 19th Century and in this ceremony Olcott became the first...
Prayer to Ganesha: On Religion and Writer's Block
For those who are unfamiliar with the Hindu gods, Ganesha is the elephant-headed god of overcoming obstacles. He also happens to be the patron god of writers. Apparently writer's block has been around for quite some time. I realize that a belief in multiple "gods" is considered sacrilegious by some. Both Christians and Muslims, for example, are quite strict about their belief in the One True God. But these arguments have arisen more from semantics than from any underlying philosophical divide. Even if there is only One God, still there are many aspects of God--truth, justice, honor, integrity, trust, faith, joy, peace... Using the word "god" to depict the Hindu representations of the divine is...
Tibetan Singing Bowls and their Uses in Buddhism
Some may say that Buddhism is a minimalist religion since it does not employ the volume of icons and items found in other religions. But, to assume there are not items associated with the practice of Buddhism would be an inaccurate assessment. Depending upon the type of Buddhism one is practicing, certain components are utilized effectively in its practice. In Tibetan Buddhism, various items are used effectively in the process of worship. Of the many different products used in the performance of Buddhist practice, singing bowls would be among the most unique and interesting. This is why they deserve a closer look. Singing bowls can deliver a great help in the practice of Buddhism since they aid in...
Howard Jones - Best-selling Buddhist Pop Star
Howard Jones was a best-selling British pop-star of the mid-1980's known for his uplifting synth melodies and truly unique haircut. Throughout his career Jones promoted vegetarianism and spirituality, and today is a practising Buddhist. The musical beginnings of British popular artist, vegetarian, practising Buddhist and master of 1980's synthesiser-pop Howard Jones were auspicious, although he probably didn't recognise it at the time. A piano player and teacher from an early age, he was involved in a car accident which left him injured. One of his students--and later wife--Jan Smith, who was in the vehicle at the time, claimed compensation on his behalf, and used the money to buy him a synthesiser...
Practising Buddhism Brings About Many Benefits
Millions of people follow Buddhist studies but there are still many people in the Western culture that are unfamiliar with Buddhism. It is a religion that dates back thousands of years and has helped many people overcome their suffering and has taught countless others how to help end the suffering of their fellow man. This religion can seem difficult to understand when you first begin but if you take the time to learn the basic tenants, then you can find your own happiness and sense of self-fulfillment that many miss in life. There are two main schools of Buddhism. There is the Mahayana and the Theravada. Each of these facets of Buddhist teachings is different but they have many of the same...
Buddhism: Thailand
Buddhism: More than 500 years before the birth of Jesus Christ, the Indian Prince Siddhartha Gautama attained Enlightenment and founded the great Eastern religion, Buddhism. Gradually spreading through Asia, Buddhism became the dominant spiritual force in Sikkim, Bhutan, Tibet, Mongolia, Ceylon, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Korea and Japan, where it was responsible for moulding attitudes, tempering morality, colouring customs and inspiring some of the world's finest art, sculpture and architecture. Buddhism first appeared in Thailand during the 3rd century B.C. when missionaries despatched by the Buddhist Indian emperor Ashoke (267-227 B.C.), visited Nakom Pathom, today a...
Midlife Happiness and Spirituality: is there a link?
Religion and spirituality is widespread There are about 40 organized religious faith groups around the world, according to Religioustolerance.org. The major world religions, such as Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Judaism to name a few, each have over three million followers. Millions of others practice spirituality in the form of meditation, prayer and contemplation. Some Humor Religiousness as well as spirituality is often the target of jokes. Well-known iconoclast Bill Maher tells this story of three women and their sons: Three women are chatting about the qualities of their sons. The first one says: "I am happy that he has decided to become a priest: Every time he enters a room, people look...
About Chenrezig Thangka
Chenrezig is a form of Avalokiteshvara. Chenrezig is also known as the Buddha of Compassion or 4 armed Avalokiteshvara. Of all the deities in Mahayana Buddhism, the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, Chenrezig, is one of the most celebrated. He is the lord endowed with complete illumination, who refrains from entering the blissful state of nirvana to remain here below and save the creatures of the earth. This devotion to the salvation of others emphasizes the profound compassion this bodhisattva represents. In the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon of enlightened beings, Chenrezig, Avalokiteshvara, is renowned as the embodiment of the compassion of all the Buddhas, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Avalokiteshvara...
Meditation is very popular with many religions around the world and has been practised for hundreds of years. Buddhism is probably the most well known religion that practises meditation and Nibbbana is the eventual goal for a Buddhist. This is attained by years of practising Buddhist mediatation. Nibbana is a state of mind and not a physical thing that can be held, seen or bought. Nibbana is attained by reaching the end of craving and suffering and this is the final goal for someone who practises Buddhist meditation. Although being a kind person, being good to others and doing good deeds is important to make you a nice person it will not help you to attain Nibbana. Nibbana is only attained...
Existential Unity and Harmony of All Religions
The earliest of the world's scriptures, the Rig Veda, contains the greatest declaration of religious harmony: "Truth is one but sages call it by various names". Religious harmony has been, in the main, the central theme of the Eternal Religion (Santana Dharma). Buddhism was an attempt to reform Hinduism when it had become degenerate; but it was never spread by fire and sword as was greatly done later in the case of Christianity and Islam. The Buddha's message of enlightenment penetrated everywhere in a peaceful way. Emperor Asoka, who was a staunch follower of Buddhism, put up the edict: "He who out of respect for his own faith disparages thefaiths of others inflicts the greatest injury on his own...
Theology Of Religions: Pluralism, Inclusivism, Exclusivism
The term ‘theology of religion' is to be understood here as the branch of Christian theology that attempts to theologically and biblically evaluate the phenomena of religion. Three important schools within this field are pluralism, inclusivism, and exclusivism. Each of them will be briefly examined here. 1. Pluralism Pluralism is basically the belief that the world religions are true and equally valid in their communication of the truth about God, the world, and salvation. The chief expounder of this view is John Hick of Claremont Graduate School in California, who first propounded it in his book God and the Universe of Faiths (1973). His view is not different from the popular Hindu view...
Buddhist Meditation - What is it Actually?
You might think that practicing Buddhist meditation is the same as practicing Buddhism, the religion. However, while both share some things in common, as well as origins, the two are different. This kind of meditation is dependent on Buddhist doctrines, but it has mostly to do with concentration and controlling the mind. Buddhism is based on the teachings of Buddha. It involves a lot of concentration, which is fundamental to the successful practice of Buddhist meditation. The amount and intensity of concentration required in Buddhist meditation is what makes a lot of people mistakenly think that the practice involves hypnosis and going into a trance. Anyone who is completely new to this type of...
Should New Buddhists Meditate?
The question of whether people new to Buddhism should meditate is a difficult one. Obviously meditation is the way that most Westerners are introduced to Buddhism and, in fact, often their only Buddhist practice is meditation. However, traditionally, Buddhist meditation was reserved for people far advanced on the path, almost entirely members of the Sangha. Even today in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tibet, Bhutan, Korea, Japan etc lay Buddhists rarely meditate. Their main form of religious practice tends towards devotions, sutra recitation and supporting monks etc, meditation is left to the monks and nuns. Why then is meditation, be it calm, insight or Zen meditation, so popular among westerners? Many...
Amitabha Thangka - Indian Artistic Culture
Are you aware of the Indian artistic culture where emotions, culture, feelings, sentiments and religious beliefs play a major role? Do you want to know how India is ahead in this painting world where every religion has its own artistic culture deep hidden within certain areas of the country? If you do not know then this article will show you one of the major artistic cultures in India... - Do you know what is Amitabha Buddha? It is nothing but the true Buddha who possesses the infinite light. Amitabha thangka is nothing but the presentation of the wordily riches owned by Buddha. Thangkas show how Buddha used to sit in his palace named Sukhavati where he displays his hands, as if he is sitting in...
Marijuana And Religion
Marijuana has been used for religious purposes for thousands of years. The Assyrians used marijuana as an incense in their temples for example. In India marijuana was considered to be “a gift of the gods” and anyone who accidentally stepped on the plant “would suffer harm or disaster.” Marijuana was used for medicinal uses as well, especially among the Chinese and medieval Europe, but in the Himalayas and Tibet it was considered a sacred plant for religious uses alone. There are many ways the monks of India and Tibet prepare marijuana for use. “Bhang is a mild preparation: dried leaves or flowering shoots are pounded with spices into a paste and consumed as candy -- known as...
33 Crore Gods of Hindus
33 Crore Gods of Hindus For the believers of God, it is an accepted faith across the globe that God is one. Hindus too believe so, but then there remains a question often shaped as a mockery over Hindus about the various practices of worship rendered to innumerous God in their faith. And this question is often thrown by people, who are philosophically and religiously recognized. How come Hindu religion has 33 crore Gods? Is it sensible at all to believe and practice this? I have a question – How can one decide what is sensible and what is not, particularly when none of those great thinkers have attained perfection in realization of God, none of them have seen God, none of them have heard God...
Kuan Yin the Mother Goddess of Buddhism
v> She is regarded as the Mother Goddess of Compassion in China and other parts of Asia. Buddhist teachings tell how Kuan Yin rejected her right to eternal bliss to protect man from his suffering. A popular idol in Chinese temples, the goddess Kuan Yin (also: Quan Yin, Kwan Yin, Guan Yin) is regarded as the goddess of mercy . Buddhist mythology tells the story of Kuan Yin as a bodhisattva (enlightened being) who had earned the right to enter paradise, but returned to earth to ease the suffering of man. Rather than accepting her gift of never-ending happiness, Kuan Yin assumed the role of compassionate protector of man. Kuan Yin was initially depicted as a man, an Indian bodhisattva very similar to...
Tibet Tour Top Ten
Although I had already visited many Tibetan areas of Qinghai and Sichuan provinces, this trip into Tibet itself had a different feel to it. First off, foreigners must join a tour group in order to visit Tibet. Second, Tibet itself seemed much more developed than the places we had just seen in Qinghai and Sichuan. For example, the hotels were much better and the roads were nicely paved and not pockmarked with potholes. Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet, seemed clean and orderly and caters to tourists with its many restaurants, sites and souvenir vendors. The scenery also seemed much larger: brighter sun, bigger mountains, more snow capped peaks and skies that are clear and blue. Temperatures can be...
Buddhist Monasteries in India
India is a known buddhist destination. There are number of monasteries and gompas in India that follow and preach Buddhism. Some of them are mentioned below. Ajanta and Ellora Caves : Located 107 kms away from Aurangabad, Ajanta and Ellora caves are rock cut caves offering panoramic view and Buddhist architecture, caves-paintings and sculptures. Designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the cave temple in India are best example from yore days. Ajanta are primarily Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhist caves, the Ellora cave temples belong to Hindu, Buddhist and Jain religions. Hemis Monastery : Situated 47 km from Leh, Hemis Monastery lies on the west bank of Indus River. Founded by the first incarnation...
Seeing the Nature of Reality Through Buddhist Meditation
The perennial philosophy "nondual" spiritual traditions (such as Nisargadatta's Vedanta, and Tibetan Buddhism's Dzogchen) hold that existence involves a monistic, enduring, unchanging, absolute reality and a dualistic, ephemeral, constantly-changing relative reality. Through the practices that I describe in my book Toward Wisdom, I too have come to see that this is the way it is. Describing the situation in words has always been tricky, but I found that certain "information age" concepts clarify the situation. The way I put it in a Zygon paper and in Part 1 of my 2004 book Matters of Consequence, the absolute reality, the foundation of all that is, is a oneness that has both a physical aspect we...
Why Religion has Served Its Usefulness in the Present Period
Religion today stands in the way of the forward progression of the species and unfortunately that means that one of two things needs to happen in the present period. Either the entire human race needs to denounce all World Religions and support their fellow man in a common cause or the human race will simply be doomed to repeat. Is there another way to solve this dire problem? No probably not. You see religion does not seem to be able to co-exist in its current form with the reality of the modern world. Can we modify religion instead to serve the greater good? No, that could take generations and unfortunately with nuclear weapons and on the brink of World War II it is rather obvious that something...