Mahayana, one of the major branches of Buddhism, emphasizes the path of the Bodhisattva—seeking enlightenment not only for oneself but for all sentient beings. It introduces the concept of the Bodhisattva ideal, compassion, and the potential for universal Buddhahood. Mahayana scriptures, such as the Lotus Sutra and Heart Sutra, play a crucial role. This tradition fosters a more expansive, inclusive understanding of the Buddha's teachings, inspiring diverse practices and schools aimed at universal liberation.
Who is Avalokitesvara?
Avalokitesvara, the bodhisattva of compassion, is one of the most important and popular Buddhist deities.
Avalokitesvara first appears in Indian Buddhism. He is originally mentioned as one of a number of bodhisattvas.
Avalokitesvara is famous in the Mahayana Pantheon as a Bodhisattva emanating from the Dhyani Buddha, Amitabha, and his Akti, Pandara.
Who is Pandara?
Pandara, Buddhist goddess, is the Shakti of Amitabha, and a feminine bodhisattva. She originated from the Tantric syllable PAM. Her color .
The 84000 project is a significant endeavor in making Buddhistsutras accessible through meticulous translation and scholarly annotation.
Rooted in a deep academic approach, it offers invaluable insights into the diverse teachings of Buddhism, focusing on texts that span various traditions and themes essential to both novice practitioners and advanced scholars alike.
Academic Rigor and Methodology
One of the distinctive features of 84000 is its rigorous methodology in translation.
Unlike many other projects, it places a strong .
Bhāviveka, also known as Bhavya or Bhāvaviveka, was a 6th century MadhyamakaBuddhist. In Tibetan Buddhism, Bhāviveka is considered the founder of the Svātantrika tradition of the Mādhyamaka school, which is considered to be an antagonist of the Prāsaṅgika Madhyamaka.
The Madhyamaka school
The Madhyamaka school, also known as the "Middle Way" school, is a major tradition within Indian Mahayana Buddhism.
The Madhyamaka philosophy, as propounded by the Indian master Nāgārjuna in the 2nd century, asserts .
The holy water from Gandaki river gushing out of the 108 water spouts are said to cleanse the devotees of their sins and set them on a path to salvation. The waters are sacred to Buddhists as well and it’s called 'Chumig Gyatsa' in Tibetan language meaning "a hundred springs".
The Muktinath pilgrimage
The Himalayas are believed to be terrestrial dwelling place of saints and the home of the gods. The Muktinath temple situated at an .
Tsangpa Karpo is a wrathful worldly protector of Tibet. Tsangpa Karpo was a dynasty that dominated large parts of Tibet from 1565 to 1642. It was the last Tibetan royal dynasty to rule in its own name.
The regime of Tsangpa Karpo was founded by Karma Tseten, a low-born retainer of the prince of the Rinpungpa Dynasty and governor of Shigatse in Tsang (West-Central Tibet) since 1548.
Tsangpa is known as gTsang pa in Tibet.
Iconography of .
Shakyamuni Buddha and AkshobhyaBuddha 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; .
Vajrapani is one of the earliest and most recognizable characters of Buddhist art. He is known for carrying a vajra scepter and being a close attendant to the historical Buddha according to the Mahayana Sutras. In Vajrayana, Buddhism Vajrapani is entrusted to safeguard all of the Tantra literature and in this regard, he is known as Guhyapati - the Lord of Secrets.
Different Forms of Vajrapani
Vajrapani manifests in a variety of forms and looks, ranging from placid .