Sravasti Abbey - US
About Dharma Wheel
Dharma Wheel is a symbol that has represented dharma, the Buddha's teaching of the path to enlightenment, since the early period of Indian Buddhism.
The Dharma Wheel
The Dharma Wheel
Around the globe, dharma wheel is one of the oldest symbols of Buddhism. In Sanskrit, Dharma Wheel is also called as Dharma chakra. The cross is used to represents Christianity or a Star of David represents Judaism as same way the Dharma Chakra is used to represent the Buddhism. Dharma Chakra is also one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism.
Before the introduction of Buddha images, the wheel was a common symbol .
Dharmata – Attendant to the 16 Great Arhats
Dharmata is the Upasaka of Central Asian or Chinese origin and the layman attendant to the 16 Great Arhats.
Dharmata is the essence of things as they are. Dharmata is the naked, unconditioned truth, the nature of reality, or the true nature of phenomenal existence.
Dharmata is called the Upasaka. Dharmata is also known as Ge yen dharma ta in Tibet.
Previously, we learned about the life of Dharmata. Now, we are going to learn about the .
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 .
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 .
Sitatapatra – Goddess of the White Parasol
Sitatapatra is known as a protector against supernatural danger in Buddhism. She is venerated in both the Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions. She is also known as Usnisa Sitatapatra.
Sitatapatra is a powerful independent deity emanated by Gautama Buddha from his Usnisa.
Sitatapatra is known as Sanskrit Dug Kar mo in Tibet. and Sitatapatra is also known as The White Parasol, Crown Ornament of the Buddha in English.
Iconography of Sitatapatra
Sitatapatra is white in color with 1000 faces, .
Worldly Protector – Pehar Gyalpo
Pehar Gyalpo is known as the Worldly Protector and the King Daemon Pehar. Pehar Gyalpo is a non-Tibetan protector who is invited to Tibet by Guru Rinpoche and bound by an oath to protect all the Buddhist centers. Pehar Gyalpo is a spirit belonging to the Gyalpo class.
Life of Pehar Gyalpo
Pehar Gyalpo is the leader of a band of five Gyalpo spirits and would later become the protector deity of Nechung Monastery in the .
Interpreting Indian Adept Avadhutipa – Maitripa
Avadhutipa is also known as Maitripa who is an important figure both in Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism. It is through him that Maitreya and Asanga’s crucial work on buddha nature, the Uttara Tantra Shastra, became widely followed in Tibet.
He also transmitted the esoteric aspect of buddha nature, embodied in the Mahamudra teachings, which treat the topic of mind in great detail and provide a wide range of progressive, highly-refined meditations.
The life of the Indian .
Interpreting Buddha of longevity – White Tara
White Tara is known as the female Buddha of longevity. White Tara, also called "the Mother of all Buddhas" is the perfect embodiment of graceful power, wisdom, and purity.
As with Tara's expressions in the other five colors, the vibrations of white color express the specific energy of White Tara.
The Viability of the White Tara
In this portion, we are going to gab about the viability of the White Tara. After that, we will learn about .
Interpreting Buddhist Elder Gopaka
Gopaka is the Elders who are known as the 15th and 1st arhats from the set of 16 great arhats. Gopaka is also called principal students of the Buddha Shakyamuni.
The Viability of the Gopaka
In this portion, we are going to learn about the Viability of the Gopaka. After that, we are going to learn about the short etymological description of the word Gopaka itself.
Etymology of the Gopaka
The meaning of Gopaka is ne ten, be .
Explaining Dipamkara Buddha
Dipamkara is known as the Buddha of the Previous Age, or the age prior to the time of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni who lived during the sixth century BCE.
Dipamkara is often remembered as the buddha who predicted Shakyamuni’s future enlightenment.
The Viability of the Dipamkara Buddha
In this portion, we are going to grab about the viability of the Dipamkara Buddha. After that, we will present the short etymological description of the Dipamkara Buddha itself.
Etymology of .