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San Francisco Zen Center
Tibetan Mandala tantric practices & benefits
Tibetan mandala tantric practices are used to cultivate and generate energy, and to bring about transformation and healing.
Tibetan Mandala as a meditation tool
Mandalas can be created with a variety of materials commonly including sand, paint or fabric (appliqué).
According to the Tibetan teachings the mandala is a tool for working with the energies of the cosmos including :
the bodythe mindthe spirit
In other words, the mandala can help control inner feelings by accessing and channeling .
Gokarneshwar – A sacred site on the bank of the Bagmati River
The Bagmati River is a sacred body of water to Hindus. A holy dip in the Bagmati river is said to free people from all the sins they have committed in this lifetime. There are numerous legends surrounding the formation of the river and the creation of temples on its banks.
Along with the great Pashupatinath temple, Gokarneshwar, also known as Gokarna is one of the holiest places located on the banks of river .
Bhavachakra: Wheel of Life in Tibetan Art
The wheel of life has also termed the Wheel of becoming or the Bhava chakra. The wheel of life is the mandala which represents the complex pictures of Buddhist views of the universe. Buddhists believe that the existence of the cycle of our life, death, rebirth, and sufferings seeks to escape together as a whole.
According to Buddhism, the wheel of life is divided into five or six states or realms, into which a soul .
Sitatapatra – Goddess of the White Parasol
Sitatapatra is known as a protector against supernatural danger in Buddhism. She is venerated in both the Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions. She is also known as Usnisa Sitatapatra.
Sitatapatra is a powerful independent deity emanated by Gautama Buddha from his Usnisa.
Sitatapatra is known as Sanskrit Dug Kar mo in Tibet. and Sitatapatra is also known as The White Parasol, Crown Ornament of the Buddha in English.
Iconography of Sitatapatra
Sitatapatra is white in color with 1000 faces, .
All about Wisdom Protector – Mahakala
Mahakala is a male Buddhist tantric deity. He is the protector deity known as a Dharmapala in Vajrayana Buddhism, especially most Tibetan traditions, in Tangmi and in Japanese Esoteric Buddhism.
Maha literally translates as great and Kala signifies time or death, hence Mahakala means "beyond the time" or "Great Black One".
Mahakala is a protector deity and specifically the primary Wisdom Protector of Himalayan and Tibetan Buddhism. In some cases, Mahakala can also be a meditational .
Describing Buddhist Deity Vajrayogini in the form of Vajravarahi
Vajrayogini appearing in the form of Vajravarahi is one of the most popular Tantric female deities found in all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. In this guise, she actually has either a single boar's face, or two faces or heads, two or more hands, and legs, red, yellow, or black in color, standing in a dancing posture, or both legs down.
Vajravarahi Vajrayogini is accompanied by 24 Dakinis, Sahaja Chakrasamvara above, and two monastic figures below. .
Health at Your Fingertips – Mudras
A mudra is used in yoga, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism as a sacred and symbolic gesture. The most well-known mudras are used as a way of channeling the flow of essential life force energy known as prana during yoga and meditation practice. The term translates as "gesture,"' "mark" or "seal" that is derived from Sanskrit.
Although they have been around for thousands of years and have appeared in various religions and cultures, including Christianity, Egyptian .
Top 50 Books of His Holiness 14th Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lamas are believed to be an exemplification of Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, and therefore the defender of Tibet. Bodhisattvas are realized beings inspired by a wish to achieve Buddhahood for the advantage of all sentient beings, who have vowed to be reborn within the world to assist humanity.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama is widely known as Buddhism’s preeminent spiritual master and teacher, embodying the very best aspirations of this .
Interpreting of Wheel of Life
The wheel of life is a symbolic representation of cyclic existence found on the outside walls of Tibetan Buddhist temples and monasteries in the Indo-Tibetan region. This pictorial thangka presents basic Buddhist concepts such as karma and rebirth in a manner that can be understood by uneducated or illiterate people.
Alternate translations for Bhavacakra include the Buddhist wheel of life, wheel of cyclic existence, wheel of becoming, etc.
The Viability of the wheel of life
In this .
Interpreting Buddhist Elder Rahula
Rahula is the elder of the actual son of the Buddha Shakyamuni and the 10th arhat from the set of 16 Great Arhats. Rahula is known in Buddhist texts for his eagerness for learning and was honored by monks and nuns throughout Buddhist history.
The life of the Rahula
In this portion, we are going to talk about the life of Rahula. After that short etymological description of the word Rahula itself.
Etymology of the Rahula
The meaning .