Art, History, and Heritage
About Offering
Offerings is a particular subject of Buddhist painting or sculpture, representing items of clothing, weapons or food, and meant as offerings for various deities.
Buddhist Society of Western Australia
Thubten Norbu Ling - Santa Fe
The Art of cultivating stillness
In Asian meditation and movement practices, stillness is not just the absence of movement, it is seen as a powerful presence that infuses movement with depth and significance.
An integral part of the movement
It is truly captivating when Himalayan monks, Noh actor, bugaku dancers or Balinese dancers pause in their performances because the stillness they exhibit is an integral part of the movement itself.
This can be observed in Japanese Noh actors and Sufi dervishes .
Cultivating inner enlightenment potential through the Tathāgatagarbha
Within the realm of Buddhist philosophy, the teachings of the Buddha are not confined to esoteric doctrines and spiritual ideals but are, in fact, deeply rooted in profound insights into the nature of existence and the human condition.
One such exploration is found in the Tathāgatagarbha sūtras and the teachings from the book "Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature" derived from it. This book stands as the third volume in The Library of Wisdom and .
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 .
108 Verses Praising Great Compassion By Lama Lobsang Tayang
This translation of 108 Verses Praising is of the renowned Mongolian Lama Lobsang Tayang's work. He was a highly esteemed interpreter of the Gelugpa tradition, and his writings cover a wide range of Tibetan literature, Tantra, logic and philosophy.
About Lama Lobsang Tayang
Geshe Lobsang Tayang was born in 1867 in the Gobi desert, was renowned for his vast knowledge of Buddhism. He was compared to the Indian pandit Ashvagosha, author of the “50 Verses .
19th century Painting of Namkhai Nyingpo
Namkha'i Nyingpo one of the twenty-five disciples of Padmasambhava, is depicted with long-life ritual implements. Other details of this nineteenth-century painting from Kham suggest elements from Jamgon Kongtrul's story of Namkhai Nyingpo and Dorje Tso.
Namkhai Nyingpo is performing a long-life ritual in this Thangka Painting. He holds upraised in the right hand an arrow of longevity and a vajra scepter. In the left hand, a bell is held close to the heart.
In the sky above, at the .
The Tantric Phurba – A protective ritual dagger
The phurba is a ritual dagger used in Tantric practices. It is used to protect against negative energies and to promote positive change.
The phurba is not to be used for violence or harm, and should only be used for ritual purposes. It is a powerful tool for protection and should be used with care and respect.
Origin of Phurba in Tibet
The renowned Buddhist master Padmasambhava, who was initiated by the Indian sage Prabhahastin, is said .
Chöd practice explained by Tsultrim Allione
Chöd practice is a practice developed by a Tibetan woman teacher named Machig Labdrön in the 11th century.
What is Chöd?
Chöd is a confrontation process with fear and then pushing through it to achieve freedom.
In other words, Chöd is a practice of feeding, not fighting, that which assails us.
In the traditional practice, you are transforming your body into a nectar and then feeding it a series of guests (fears).
Who can practice Chöd?
The type of person .
Muktinath and the Muktikshetra in Mustang
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 .
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 .
Tales of Hiranya Varna Mahavihar – The Golden Temple
The golden temple and its sublime architectural design, the marvelous artefacts and engrossing stories have startled the minds of visitors and left them pondering for years.
Patan is a captivating ancient city boasting some majestic temples and monasteries poking out from behind modern buildings to those found along the old narrow alleys and streets
There are many shrines dedicated to Buddhism in Patan and you don’t have to be practicing Buddhism to appreciate the architectural significance .