Buddhist Times - IN
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Ram Mandir and the legend of Battisputali
There were 32 scupltures of fairies placed inside the inner walls of Ram Mandir which led to the place being called Battisputali (32 fairies with butterfly wings). There is an enthralling story behind the fairies installed here.
The ancient Sanskrit epic Ramayana written by Valmiki has captivated people from all over the world for centuries. Lord Ram is believed to be the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He is worshipped by Hindus from all over .
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 .
The Dalai Lama Lineage through the Himalayan Arts
Dalai Lama is the most recent in the huge line of lraders of Gelug branch of Tibetan Buddhism. He is considered to be an exemplification of Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, and thus the defender of Tibet. Bodhisattvas are realized beings inspired by a wish to realize Buddhahood for the advantage of all sentient beings, who have vowed to be reborn within the planet to help humanity.
In 1578 the Mongol ruler Altan .
Appearances and Identifications of Vajrapani
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 .
1st Karmapa Lama – Dusum Kyenpa
Dusum Khyenpa is known as the 1st Karmapa. Dusum Khyenpa is the founder of the Karma (Kamtsang) branch of the Kagyu Tradition. Dusum Khyenpa was born in Kham
He served as Abbot of Daklha Gampo monastery after Gampopa and founded the Tsurphu monastery. He is becoming the seat of the incarnate Karmapa lamas.
Dusum Khyenpa was the founder of the Karma Kagyu school and of its three main monasteries: Kampo Nenang Gon in 1164, Karma Gon .
All about Guhyasamaja Tantra
Guhyasamja is one of Vajrayana Buddhism's most fascinating, difficult, and essential personalities. It combines various important tathagata Buddhas, into one sculpture. It is predominantly is call Akshobhayavajara which is the form of Akshobhaya buddha.
Guhyasamja is the foremost meditational deity of the Method-father class of Anuttarayoga tantra. Guhyasamaja has two main traditions, the Arya (Nagarjuna) Lineage, and the Jnana (Jnanapada) Lineage.
There are three principal iconographic forms of Guhyasamaja; Akshobhyavajra (blue), Manjuvajra (orange), .
Goddess of Wealth & Abundance – Vasudhara
Vasudhara is named Shiskar Apa in Lahul and Spiti. She is comparable to the Earth goddesses Phra Mae Thorani in Theravada and Tai folk religion and Bhumidevi and Prithvi in Hinduism. She is also known as Goddess of Wealth and Abundance.
Who is Vasudhara?
Vasudhara (Tib. Norgyunma), the Buddhist bodhisattva of money, prosperity, and abundance, is a Buddhist bodhisattva of riches, prosperity, and abundance. She is revered in many Buddhist countries and is depicted in Buddhist art and .
6th Karmapa – Tongwa Donden
The birth of the 6th Karmapa, Tongwa Donden (1416-1453), at Ngomto Shakyam near Karma Gon in east Tibet, was marked by many auspicious signs. One month later, carried by his mother as she went begging, he became highly excited when their path crossed that of Lama Ngompa Chadral, a student of the fifth Karmapa.
When Lama Ngompa Chadral asked who he was, the child smiled and replied
“I’m the unborn, free from all names, places, and .
All you need to know about Brahmarupa Mahakala
Brahmarupa Mahakala is the outer form of Chaturmukha Mahakala. He is the special protector of the Guhyasamaja Tantra and the 2nd main protector of the Sakya School.
Brahmarupa, a benign form of the wrathful deity Mahakala, is shown as a bearded nomadic ascetic, sitting on a corpse, wearing a bone apron, and holding a thighbone trumpet and a skull cup.
A protector of the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism, he is credited with introducing the Hevajra .
3rd Panchen Lama – Lobsang Dondrup
Gyalwa Ensapa Lobzang Dondrup is the pre-incarnation of the Panchen Lama. Gyalwa Ensapa Lobzang Dondrup was a Tibetan Buddhist religious leader. He was posthumously recognized as the third Panchen Lama.
Gyalwa Ensapa Lobzang Dondrup was born in 1505 AD. Gyalwa Ensapa Lobzang Dondrup is known as the lama in life prior to being recognized as the 1st Panchen Lama.
Life of Lobsang Dondru
Lobsang Dondrup was known to have spent more than 20 years meditating in isolated .