The Truth of the cause of Suffering in Buddhism
The cause of suffering was explained by the Buddha as the Second Noble Truth. The Four Noble Truths form the basis of Buddhism and are one of the main concepts …
An Introduction to Buddhist Philosophy
The argument has been put forward by some that Buddhism is more of a philosophy than a religion. There is a lot of overlap, as both the definitions of religion and philosophy involve …
Tibetan Reincarnation Astrology
Reincarnation In the East, it is taught that each soul coming into material life enters from one of the six compartments of the Wheel of the Law. Astrologically, the rule …
Buddhist Beliefs a Portrait of the God Chenrezig
In Buddhist belief, there is no other god that is as revered and honored as much as Buddha himself. When you hear of a Buddhist, Buddha is the first and …
A Beginners Experience of a Vipassana Meditation Retreat in India
It’s 4.35 in the morning. Not a time of day with which I am particularly well acquainted. Outside it’s raining heavily. But I’m indoors, in a large, dimly lit hall …
Buddhism Bodhidharma Shaolin Bhuddist Monk Patriarch Martial Art
Like most of the great men of his time, little verifiable information still exists about the Buddhist monk known as Bodhidharma. His life is shrouded in a haze of legend …
Buddhism and Meditation
Sensation and Awareness, the Yin/Yang of Consciousness Awareness is permanent but the sensation is temporary. This is a recent conclusion of mine after many years of meditation practice. And it …
The Origins and Core Principles of Buddhism
Buddhism is a philosophy focused on bringing about the end of suffering through the attainment of Nirvana or Enlightenment, by following the Eightfold Path, understanding the Four Noble Truths and …
How to Rectify Karma through Grace
Everyone has his or her own unique perspective on life, and no two can be exactly alike. Perspective depends so much that can’t be replicated in another person (family, upbringing, friends, faith, …
Guide to Essential Words in Buddhism
Many of the words and terms essential to Buddhism are in the Pali or Sanskrit languages and have remained common derivatives from the original for centuries, even when speaking in …
Self and No self in Buddhism
Buddha realized that in order to explain and guide people out of suffering and toward enlightenment he must rely upon explaining common human truths in our world that could be …
Buying Authentic Buddhist Iconography
People are easily offended when one is talking about imitations of Buddha’s statues and amulets because religious issues are always sensitive. Even if you are an expert in the trading …
Buddhism and other Religions
Some of the more notable aspects of most religions are that they compete with each other for believers, they dispute one another’s truths, they each claim to be the only …
Buddha Dipankara Twenty Four Buddhas Sumedas Vow
‘Dipamkara’ is Sanskrit for ‘kindler of lights’ and is most commonly spelled ‘Dipankara’ in Pali. A wandering prophet and buddha, Dipankara holds first place in the lineage of twenty-four buddhas …
The Borobudur Temple
Borobudur, a Buddhist stupa in the Mahayana tradition, is the largest Buddhist monument in the world. It is located on the Indonesian island of Java, 40 km (25mil) northwest of …
Gautama Buddha Buddhism the Life of the Buddha Buddha
Lord Buddha was born as the son of King Suddhodana and Mayadevi at Lumbini near Kapilavastu. He was named Siddharta, which is translated as “He who has accomplished his purpose”. …
How to Become a Buddhist
If and when one wants to convert to Buddhism, there are some simple steps to take. One of the most crucial steps would be understanding Buddhism as a religion, a …
In Buddhism who is Bodhidharma
In Buddhism who is Bodhidharma? In the tradition and teachings of Buddhism in East Asia, a very prominent individual is Bodhidharma. Bodhidharma’s life history is very ambiguous, yet his life …
Life as a Buddhist
“Excessive self-deprivation is just as harmful to the soul as excessive self-indulgence.” This shouldn’t seem shocking or even new to a Buddhist. Gautama-Buddha is said to have found the Middle …
Zen and Mind
Zen is a Buddhist sect of meditation, mostly practiced in Japan. When it was the first time introduced, then it was known as the most modern way of meditation. Zen …
Basics of Confucianism
Confucianism is an intellectual, political, and religious tradition, or school of thought, that developed a distinct identity in the 5th-century bc from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius. In …
Loy Krathong Festival Thailand
Loy Krathong (pronounced Loy Kra-tong) is a very good-natured festival held in Thailand, in November every year. Technically, the date is calculated at the 12th moon in the Thai Lunar …
Meditation Neuroscience Brain Contemplative Neuroscience Ken Wilber Buddhism Philosophy
Before examining some of the research in contemplative neuroscience, it is important to discuss what contemplative neuroscience is and what relevance, if at all, it has to the study of …
Zen Koan Case of Pa Lings Snow
Case: A monk asked Pa Ling, “What is the school of Kanadeva?” Pa Ling said, “Piling up snow in a silver bowl.” Pointer: Some called the Buddha “Tathagata.” This is …
Who really wants the Dalai Lama Dead
The recent threat against the life of the Dalai Lama was attributed to a number of news sources to Osama bin Laden. This is far from the whole picture. While …
Understanding the Basics of Zen Practice
What Is This Zen Stuff? Zen is a word that gets thrown around a lot in popular media. Most people have heard of Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, …
The Basics of Buddhism
Buddhism is a philosophy, a way of life, a religion to some but to others mainly a system of ethics. The more than 300 million Buddhists in the world follow …
Zen Koan Wash your Bowl
Case: A new monk at the monastery asked Joshu Roshi, “What is the secret of Zen?” Joshu answered, “Have you eaten breakfast?” “Yes,” the new monk said. Joshu answered, “Wash …
Profile of a Rebel Buddhist Lama Chogyam Trungpa
In 1970, a Tibetan Buddhist Lama who once endured extreme thirst rather than drink fermented spirits came to America. Chogyam Trungpa never turned down a drink again. He’s defying the …
Buddhism and Morality
As with other major religions, Buddhism has an established moral code, or system of ethical dos and don’ts. For laypeople (Buddhists who are not monks or nuns) this is encapsulated …
Breathing in Everyday Life
1. Breathing. Practicing Buddhism in everyday life is very specific. Words are necessary to give suggestions for practice in everyday life. The fewer, the simpler, and the more specific they …
Buddhist Principles of Yin and Yang
Long before I really understood what it meant, I had an obsession with the yin-yang. As a child, I found comfort in its smooth lines and symmetry. At the peak …