The Middle way Explained from the Buddhist Idea of Oneness being Emptiness
The middle path in Buddhism is not often seen to be the same middle path as being depicted in more modernistic New Age religions. New Age religions usually say to …
The Buddhist Concept of Mindfulness
Mindfulness Insight Meditation: Insight meditation or vipassana takes quite a different approach to that of calm or Samatha meditation. Whereas calm meditation is about concentrating the mind, insight meditation is …
The History of the Militant Buddhist Movement during the Vietnam War
From November 1963 to July 1965, the militant Buddhist movement was the most important foundation of political instability in South Vietnam. Although the Buddhist Militant movement was a representation of …
What is a Buddhist Moment
Moment. Be in the moment. Live in the moment. Be mindful of each moment. Just what is a moment? Anyone who studies Zen, Buddhist meditation techniques or spent time in …
The Dating of the Historical Buddha
(originally published as A NOTE ON THE DATING OF THE BUDDHA in the Middle Way, Journal of the Buddhist Society of the UK) Most books available on Buddhism place the …
Identifying the Buddha in History and Circumstances
Well, I imagine there are millions of people who could write an article under this title. Identifying the historical Buddha is hardly a difficult task after all his stories can …
Mahayana Buddhism Explained
Around the same time as Christianity began to spread across the Near East and the Occident, a new movement began to flourish within traditional Buddhism, which was called the Great …
The Belief in the Oneness of Man in Buddhism
Is the Universal Consciousness infinite or really only ever a oneness? Is man himself part of oneness, or is he oneness itself? And how can anything be a part of …
Morality in Buddhism
Understanding the Moral codes in Buddhism Moral codes in Buddhism are different depending on if you are a lay Buddhist or if you belong to the Buddhist clergy (Sangha). For …
Relics of the Buddha
In December 1999 the United Nations recognized Vesak as an internationally important day and twelve relics of the Buddha gathered from Myanmar, Thailand, and Sri Lanka were put on display …
Buddhism for Everyday People
There isn’t a guide or welcome pack on “How to Convert to Buddhism.” Sure, there are principles and guidelines to follow, but it’s really more about revealing the Buddhahood within …
An Introduction to Buddhist Art
Buddhists have been producing art for 2,500 years across two continents, so, rather than trying to introduce it all, I will share the most inspiring and exciting bits. Original, ancient …
The History and Significance of the Bdud
The Significance of the bDud in Tibetan Buddhism The Indian subcontinent gave the world one of the most fascinating religions to mankind, Buddhism, and its continual study has allowed people …
Karma Hinduism the Law of cause and Effect
Karma, The Law of Cause and Effect What karma means in our culture and it’s a concept in different religions. What does it really mean? Karma comes from the Vedic …
Bodhisathva
Buddhism is a practical way of living a noble life that helps in cultivating kindness, forgiveness, empathy and enlightening. The teachings in Buddhism will become mere knowledge fillers if it …
Zen Koan Moving Flag
Case: Two monks argued about a temple flag waving in the breeze. One said, “It is the flag that moves.” The other said, “It is the breeze moving.” Just then, …
Dalai Lama a Popular Icon
A man in a red and yellow robe stands before you. He looks no different than any other man, yet he overtakes you with his presence. He speaks of peace …
The Three Marks of Existence
The Three Marks of Existence The Buddha taught that all things in life have three inescapable factors underlying them. To understand each of them at an experiential level is to …
Nichiren Buddhism and Soka Gakkai International
The Foundation Toda Josei and Makaguchi Tsunesaburo co-founded Soka Gakkai in the early 1920s. The teachings and values of a 13th-century Buddhist monk, Nichiren was its foundation. It began as …
Buddhism Burial Rituals
Death has a special meaning to Buddhists because it signals the transition from one cycle of existence to another. The solemnity, dignity, and grieving that is characteristic of other religions’ …
Burmese Monks Apply Political Pressure What Next for Myanmar
Is the glass half full or half empty for Burma? That’s an intriguing question for even the most mundane of circumstances. Certainly, the present state of Myanmar, also known as …
Benefits of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is the title of the Lotus Sutra, which according to Shakyamuni Buddha is the heart of all Buddhist teachings. Nichiren Daishonin began the practice of chanting …
Shambhala Buddhism Osel Tendzin Trungpa Rinpoche
Shambhala Buddhism began with the teachings of Chögyam Trungpa. Shambhala Buddhism teaches that enlightenment has entered the world through numerous religious faiths, but all of them converge to create the …
Buddhism vs Christianity
Having developed somewhat of an interest in Buddhism, for my own personal reasons I will keep the reasons for my interest private. What I have found is that this is …
Buddhism Introduction to the Birth of the Buddha
Buddhism was exactly started by the birth of the Buddha in India, but current Japanese Buddhism is a little bit different from one in India. Japanese Buddhists say that there …
Understanding Buddhist Funeral Rites
There are many schools of Buddhism. Each school has a different version of truths and rites. All the sects seem to believe that the monks hold an essential part in …
Dealing with Problems from a Zen Perspective
Change our thinking, we change our world We often judge as too simplistic the idea that if we “change our thinking, we change our world,” yet this simple and fundamental …
Buddhism Benefits of Buddhism Mindfulness Zazen Zen Meditation Dharma Brain Happiness
The title of this article: “Buddhism – The Way to a Better You” almost sounds like a sales pitch, a slogan, a marketing promise. New and Improved Zen! Reach Enlightenment …
Three Women of Western Buddhism
Buddhism has come to the west in the minds and hearts of adventurers and truth-seekers. Some were women who ignored the mores and restrictions of their times to follow their …
Introduction to Buddhist Beliefs
Buddhism is in essence, not a religion as such, but a way of life, elements of which are found throughout every walk and way of life, both now, in the …
The Buddhist View of Mind and Body
In Buddhist philosophy and psychology, the mind and body are not separate entities. Even the medical texts of Buddhist culture treat the mind and body as part of a whole …