Buddhistdoor Global (BDG)
Category Culture
Culture is the social behavior and norms found in human societies. One’s behavior is determined by knowing the cultural practice in his society and family.
Buddhistdoor Global (BDG)
Buddhistdoor Global (BDG)
The enigmatic blend of rationality and devotion in Buddhism
At first, Buddhism appears to be an enigma. On the one hand, it is highly logical and rational, without any dogmatic beliefs.
On the other hand, when we come into contact with its teachings, we find that it includes religious ideals, doctrines beyond our understanding, and a program of training that emphasizes faith and discourages doubt.
Empirical approach vs spiritual viewpoint
When we attempt to understand our own bond with the Dhamma, we eventually face .
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 .
Buddhist religious clothing, amulets & talismans
In Buddhism, religious clothing is not required however, many Buddhists choose to wear special clothing as a sign of respect for the Buddha and his teachings.
It is important to remember that the purpose of religious clothing is not to show off or to attract attention, but rather to express respect and reverence for the Buddha and his teachings.
Buddha taught that the path to enlightenment is within each of us, and that we all have .
Buddhist New Religious Movements at a glance
A New Religious Movement (NRM), also known as alternative spirituality or a new religion, is a religious or spiritual group that has modern origins and is peripheral to its society's dominant religious culture.
Some New Religious Movements deal with the challenges which the modernizing world poses to them by embracing individualism, while other Movements deal with them by embracing tightly knit collective means.
Origin of New Religious Movements
New Religious Movements can be novel in origin or .
The Mindfulness Movement – Rooted in the core practice of the Buddha
Mindfulness is gaining a growing popularity as a practice in daily life, apart from Buddhist insight meditation and its application in clinical psychology.
Definition of the Movement
In this context mindfulness is defined as moment-by-moment awareness of thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, characterized mainly by "acceptance"—attention to thoughts and feelings without judging whether they are right or wrong.
Mindfulness focuses the human brain on what is being sensed at each moment, instead of on its .
The Mysterious Goddess Taleju Bhawani, A Terrifying Demon and the Living Goddess
Taleju Bhawani is considered as the goddess who made kings. Legend has it that the great Malla kings established their powerful dynasty because they were granted kingship by goddess Taleju. There are Taleju temples in the three royal palaces of Malla Kings in Basantapur, Patan and Bhaktapur.
When King Prithvi Naryan Shah conquered the three kingdoms of Kathmandu valley, he continued the tradition of worshipping the goddess Taleju and the living goddess Kumari, a .
Buddhist festivals – The profound influence on various cultures
Buddhism has had a profound influence on various cultures, especially in Asia.
Buddhist philosophy, Buddhist art, Buddhist architecture, Buddhist cuisine and Buddhist festivals continue to be influential elements of the modern Culture of Asia, especially in East Asia but also in Southeast Asia.
For instance, Japanese, Burmese, Tibetan, Indian, Nepalese, Bhutanese, Chakma, Marma and Barua festivals often show the influence of Buddhist culture.
The Pagoda festival in Myanmar is one example and the traditional cham .
Jataka tales – The previous births of Gautama Buddha
The Jātakas are a voluminous body of literature native to South Asia which mainly concern the previous births of Gautama Buddha in both human and animal form.
Some of these works are also considered great works of literature in their own right.
In these stories, the future Buddha may appear as a king, an outcast, a deva, an animal—but, in whatever form, he exhibits some virtue that the tale thereby inculcates.
Often, Jātaka tales include an extensive .
Honorific Japanese Buddhist titles
Buddhism has been practiced in Japan since about the 6th century CE.
Japanese Buddhism created many new Buddhist schools, and some schools are original to Japan and some are derived from Chinese Buddhist schools.
There were a broad range of reform strategies and movements which aimed at positioning Buddhism as a useful partner to a modernizing Japan.
This included clerical reform to tighten discipline as well as reforms concerning doctrine and practice.
Some Buddhists .