Daniel Aitken - Wisdom
About Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and dharma that encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and spiritual practices largely based on original teachings attributed to the Buddha and resulting interpreted philosophies.
Dharma Realm Buddhist University
Sravasti Abbey - US
The enigmatic blend of rationality and devotion in Buddhism
At first, Buddhism appears to be an enigma. On the one hand, it is highly logical and rational, without any dogmatic beliefs.
On the other hand, when we come into contact with its teachings, we find that it includes religious ideals, doctrines beyond our understanding, and a program of training that emphasizes faith and discourages doubt.
Empirical approach vs spiritual viewpoint
When we attempt to understand our own bond with the Dhamma, we eventually face .
Origin of Yoga and its connection with Buddhism
Nowadays, you can find yoga classes in nearly every city, and there are numerous online platforms that facilitate practicing yoga at home.
Yoga involves a combination of physical postures and breath work, which can be either static or flowing, slow or fast.
Historical origins of Yoga
It is essential to understand the core essence and purpose of yoga and its historical origins.
This history offers valuable insights into the cultural context during which the Buddha lived and .
The Patronage of Buddhism and Jainism by Ancient Indian Dynasties
Different dynasties, such as the Maurya, Satavahanas, Western Satraps, and Kushans, supported Buddhism and Jainism by building large architectural monuments such as stupas and cave complexes during their reign.
The Maurya dynasty, which existed in ancient India, was known for patronizing both Jainism and Buddhism, as well as supporting the construction of large cave complexes, stupas, and other architectural monuments. These structures were used by monastic orders during the rainy season.
After the decline of the .
The 8 Stupas in Buddhism
The 8 Stupas in Buddhism are different with each other and represents an important event in Buddha Shakyamuni's life. In his Astamahasthanacaitya-stotras, Nagarjuna connects the eight Stupas to specific events and places in the Buddha's life.
Chorten, Chaitya or Stupa (མཆོད་རྟེན་དཀར་པོ།) is an important religious monument in Buddhism, symbolizing Buddha’s presence. It also holds precious Buddhist relics and sometimes even preserved bodies of renowned lamas. Tibetans believe that performing Koras of the monument is an .
Hinduism & Buddhism – In context of Nepal
Today, Hinduism is referred to as the oldest living religion followed in the whole world. More than 3000+ deities are found in some places near the homes of Hindus where they love and worship. Though the underlying philosophies of Hinduism are the same, the belief system has been adjusted over nearly 3000 years of existence. The concept is still the same and is adjusted over time to cope with social changes of a society.
Before .
Charity and perfection of giving in Buddhism
The spirit of true charity is to offer something without expecting anything reciprocally for the gift. If a person expects some material benefit to arise from his gift, he/she is only performing an act of bartering and not charity.
A charitable person shouldn't make people feel indebted to him or use charity to control over them. He/she should not even expect others to be grateful, for most people are forgetful though not necessarily ungrateful. The .
Explaining Gelug Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism
The Gelug is the newest of the schools of Tibetan Buddhism. It was founded by Je Tsongkhapa a philosopher and Tibetan religious leader. Gelug Lineage's field for the Accumulation of Merit with Tsongkapa at the Center is surrounded by the Panchen Lama incarnation lineage above and with meditational deities, Confession Buddhas, arhats and protectors below.
In the Gelug Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, there are numerous Refuge Field composition types distinguished both by the central figure .
Yogini Yeshe Tsogyal – Mother of Tibetan Buddhism
Tsogyal was the Mother of Tibetan Buddhism. Some sources regard her as a wife of Trisong Detsen, Emperor of Tibet. Her main karma mudra consort was Padmasambhava, a founder-figure of the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
She is known to have revealed terma with Padmasambhava and was also the main scribe for this terma. Later, Yeshe Tsogyal also hid many of Padmasambhava's terma on her own, under the instructions of Padmasambhava for future generations.
Born a .
36 measurements of Tibetan Buddhism figures
This 18th-century essay drawing is similar in content to the photographic measurements. The so-called "image measurement" is the scale of the Buddha's human body and the scale of the figure.
This may be a reference guide for the painting of Buddha statues in Tibet or Nepal in the 18th century. It contains 36 detailed drawings and the text is in Tibetan.
The representation of the Buddhist figure is not fabricated out of thin air. The proportions, .
The origin of the Graphic Arts of Buddhism
Buddhist art is the artistic implementations that are perused by Buddhism. It includes art media which idolize Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and other forms of remarkable Buddhist figures, both ancient and mythical.
Buddhist art explains the scenes from the lives of all of the mandalas and other graphic that helps to practice as well as physical objects connected with Buddhist practice, such as vajras, bells, stupas and Buddhist temple designs.
Buddhist art originated on the Indian subcontinent following the historical life of Siddhartha Gautama, 6th to 5th century BCE, and .