Upaya Zen Center
About Shakyamuni
Venerable Thubten Chodron
Dakini Translations - Adele Tomlin
Akshobhya and Shakyamuni Buddha Comparisons
Shakyamuni Buddha and Akshobhya Buddha 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; .
Shakyamuni Buddha Mantra and Chants
Siddhartha Guatama Buddha, also often referred to as Sakyamuni, was a spiritual teacher upon whose lessons the foundations for Buddhism were formed.
He is regarded as the Supreme Buddha and is the first enlightened individual to be visualized. Despite some confusion from those who do not follow Buddhism, it is important to note that the Buddha was not considered to be a God.
He was rather a mere human, like the rest of us, who was .
Depicting the Painting of Shakyamuni with Geluk Masters
This 18th-century painting depicts Shakyamuni Buddha with primordial buddha Vajradhara, bodhisattvas Maitreya and Manjushri, and Geluk masters.
Thangka Painting Chart
Shakyamuni with Geluk Masters
N°1 Bodhisattva Maitreya
Maitreya is regarded as a future Buddha of this world in Buddhist eschatology. In some Buddhist literature, such as the Amitabha Sutra and the Lotus Sutra, he is referred to as Ajita.
According to Buddhist tradition, Maitreya is a bodhisattva who will appear on Earth in the future, .
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 .
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 .
Tibetan Gau boxes & Amulets
Ga'u or Gawu is a ritual item also known as amulet box. Gau are portable shrines generally made from hand hammered metals. The purpose and function of an amulet box is for general protection and protection when traveling. Amulet boxes are also commonly used to store all manner of sacred materials such as small texts, blessing cords, consecrated medicine, relics, and the like.
Types of Tibetan Gau Box
Tibetan Gau boxs can be categorized according to their size, .
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 .
A brief introduction to Black Jambhala featuring Thangka and Statue collections
Jambhala, Black (Tibetan: dzam bha la, nag po), a wealthy deity popularized in Tibet by Bari Lotsawa and the Kashmiri teacher Shakyashri Bhadra.
Black Jambhala is known by Kubera in Hinduism. Kuber is the god of wealth. Originating in ancient India, he appeared from the river's waters and passed on the ability to generate wealth to a monarch whose realm was experiencing severe financial troubles at the time. He also helps the impoverished and those .
All about Applique Thangkas
Applique Thangkas is Known as göchen thangka in Tibet. The Huns of Central Asia were the first to use applique to decorate saddle blankets. It traveled eastward along the Silk Road, and Tibetans accepted it as a holy art form.
Fabric thangkas were created in the 15th century utilizing an indigenous applique method. These thangkas, which are lavishly embroidered and appliqued, immediately became popular in Tibet.
Because of its excellent quality materials, durability, suppleness, and potential .
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 .