Tea House: Interviews, Commentary, Reviews, Poetry
About Contemplation
Contemplation is profound thinking about something. In a religious sense, contemplation is usually a type of prayer or meditation.
Center for Creative Inquiry - US
Rigpa - Newcastle
Buddhist Rituals – A captivating fusion of materiality and spirituality
Buddhist rituals have long been a subject of fascination and inquiry. They encompass a rich tapestry of practices, from meditation and chanting to offerings and ceremonies. Beyond their surface, these rituals are deeply intertwined with materiality, forming a complex and meaningful relationship that merits exploration.
On the surface, Buddhism emphasizes detachment from the material world, yet its rituals employ material objects and sensory experiences to enhance the spiritual journey. This apparent contradiction is a central .
The Spiritual Athlete’s Path to Enlightenment
Throughout this world, there are many mysterious and amazing feats that can be found. People are capable of doing most incredible things that we have never deemed possible.
Only by truly believing in ourselves can we accomplish what were thought as impossible goals.
Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei
In Mount Hiei of Japan, there can be found a small group of monks who live in a monastery and can accomplish many remarkable challenges. This mountain had .
Meditation Practices – To train the attention of mind & teach compassion
Meditation can be defined as a practice where an individual uses a technique, such as focusing their mind on a particular object, thought or activity, to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state.
Meditation has been practiced since antiquity in numerous religious traditions and beliefs.
The earliest records of meditation (dhyana) are found in the Upanishads of Hindu philosophy, and meditation plays a salient role in the contemplative repertoire of Buddhism and Hinduism.
Since the .
Akshobhya and Shakyamuni Buddha Comparisons
Shakyamuni Buddha and Akshobhya Buddha are both important figures in Buddhism. Both are considered to be enlightened Buddhas who have achieved enlightenment and are revered as teachers of the Dharma.
The main similarity between Shakyamuni Buddha and Akshobhya Buddha is that they both represent the same core teachings of Buddhism. They both emphasize the importance of meditation, mindfulness, and compassion in achieving enlightenment.
Upon initial inspection, Shakyamuni Buddha and Akshobhya Buddha may appear to be alike; .
Interpreting Vajradhara – The Father of Tantras
According to the Gelug and Kagyu schools of Tibetan Buddhism, Vajradhara is also known as the ultimate Primordial Buddha or Adi Buddha. Vajradhara displaced Samantabhadra who remains the Primordial Buddha in the Nyingma or Ancient School and the Sakya school. However, the two are metaphysically equivalent.
The Esse of Vajradhara
In this portion, we are going to learn about the ease of Vajradhara, after the short etymological description of the word Vajradhara itself.
Etymology of Vajradhara
Vajradhara is .
Lion Faced Dakini – Singhamukha Yogini
Lion-faced Dakini is a secret form of Vajrayogini also has a relationship to Troma and the practice of chöd. She is appropriate for clearing obstacles of the most pervasive and malignant kind and cutting through the “three poisons” of mind.
This ancient practice has been important in Tibetan Buddhism since the time of Guru Rinpoche. PeGyal Lingpa received this revelation directly from Padmasambhava, appearing in a red-black form, instead of the more common dark blue .
Way to Heaven – meaning and symbolism
The way to Heaven is also known as a way to Nirvana. Way to heaven gives deeply symbolic meaning and explanation of the path to enlightenment.
Symbols in way of heaven
The way to heaven consists of different symbols which have different meanings. This illustration of the development of mental tranquility is often painted on monastery walls. This mnemonic diagram depicts the nine progressive stages of mental development, which are obtained through the six powers of .
Yidam – Peaceful and Wrathful Buddhist deities
In Tibetan Buddhist circles, it will not be long before to hear someone talk about their yidam. Especially if they have been meditating for some years you will gather from the way they talk that it is something of the greatest importance for them. This Tibetan word literally means oath, vow, or promise, and connotes the Buddhist deity to whose meditation you are committed to whom you are linked by a promise or vow, .
The Journey of Buddhism from Mongolia to the Himalayas
Buddhism in Tibet started in the sixth century. It was transmitted by the great Buddhist teacher of India for the next eight years. Tibetan Buddhism begins with Bon. The Bon religion of Tibet was animistic and shamanistic, and elements of it live on today, to one degree or another, in Tibetan Buddhism.
Introduction of Buddhism In Tibet
When Buddhism was introduced into Tibet in the seventh century under King Songtsen Gampo, it was apparently centered in the .
Sankya Yoga – Yoga of the Mind
One of the lesser known schools of Yoga which seems to be particularly well suited to our search for relaxation of mind is the Sankya Yoga, based on the sutras, or writings, of the sage Kapila. Hindus believe this Yoga philosopher was none other than the god Vishnu, the son of Brahman, in one of his earthly reincarnations.
On the surface, the sutras seem to be merely a series of philosophical propositions, yet students of .