Clik here to view.
Guanyin: “Most Widely Beloved Buddhist Divinity”; Devotion to the 33 Forms of...
Buddha Weekly: Buddhist Practices, Mindfulness, Meditation. Copyright Buddha Weekly. Guanyin is often referred to as the “most widely beloved Buddhist Divinity.”[2] Why? Because Her love is...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Green Tara’s nourishing, caring, mother-earth hands: honoring Tara of the...
On this Earth Day, and every day, we can take inspiration from Green Tara’s example to be more mindful of our planet and all its creatures. We can use her nourishing, caring hands as a reminder to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Path of the Bodhisattva; the Universal Good of Bodhichitta: “The King of...
Why is the King of Prayers, the king? This prayer, recommended by many Mahayana teachers, is also translated as “The Extraordinary Aspiration of the Practice of Samantabhadra.” Samantabhadra, Universal...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Why is Kṣitigarbha “Essence of Earth” Bodhisattva so revered and beloved in...
Why is Kṣitigarbha so revered and beloved in Buddhism? What was Ksitigarbha’s great vow to the Buddha? Why is Ksitigarbha revered as the Bodhisattva who saves those suffering in the lower realms? We’ll...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Avalokiteshvara’s 108 main forms: one for each mala bead and one for each...
Why does the compassionate Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara have specifically 108 forms? Traditionally, one for each bead of a sacred mala (108) — which the main forms of Avalokiteshvara hold in hand — but...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Shantideva’s Practical Guide to Developing Compassion from Suffering — “The...
By Payal Seth and Tanzin Dakpa (See bio below feature.) With reference to The Way to the Bodhisattva by Shantideva, His Holiness, The Dalai Lama once said “ If I have any understanding of compassion...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Shakyamuni Buddha, born to “warrior caste” taught how to be a fearless...
Shakyamuni Buddha was born to the warrior caste, a prince and heir. As a young adult, when Shakyamuni Buddha cut his hair, he symbolically separated himself from the worldly, including his past role as...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Four heroic incarnations of Ksitigarbha, the “Earth Store” Bodhisattva —...
Ksitigarbha is a bodhisattva revered by millions across East Asia — honoured by the Buddha Himself due to his “untiring limitless compassion” — and his vows to help all sentient beings. He is also...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Devoted to compassion: How the practice of Guanyin Avalokiteshvara is...
Guanyin is often referred to as the “most widely beloved Buddhist Divinity.”[2] Why? Because Her love is unconditional, all-embracing, and She will never cease her merciful activity until all beings...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The eleven aspects of Manjushri — kind, wrathful, protective, teaching and...
Manjushri is the “master of the Seven Buddhas” and the “mother of the Buddhas” — and also the “child” of the Buddhas — according to Ajatasatruraja Sutra: “Manjushri is the father and mother of the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Sutra of Tara Who Protects from the Eight Fears: in Tara’s Own Words
Tara’s vast popularity in Mahayana Buddhism — as both Bodhisattva and Buddha — is easy to understand. Not only is she a “Mother” — a mother deity and the “Mother of All Buddhas” — but she also...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Sitatapatra or Dukkar — the ultimate protective Bodhisattva Goddess, form of...
Sitatapatra, a form of White Tara from Sutra, a protective supreme form who emerged from Shakyamuni Buddha’ita Ushnisha and is known to be most most protective of Enlightened Deities. Don’t let the...
View ArticleMarichi, Buddhist Goddess of Golden Light, Destroyer of Demons, Evil and...
Why is Marichi, called the enemy of the demons or Maras in Mahayana Buddhism? In what way is she an emanation of Mother Tara? How can she protect me in turbulent times? Marichi, the Goddess of the Dawn...
View ArticleVideo: Samantabhadra’s King of All Prayers Dharani chanted in Sanskrit — a...
After a 3-minute introduction (time indexes below), we chant the extraordinary King of Aspirational Prayers of Samantabadhra in original Sanskrit. Most Mahayana Buddhists practice translated forms of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Immovable Lord Achala, Fudo Myoo, ferocious activity of compassion of Maha...
Immovable Lord Achala, Fudo Myoo, ferocious activity of compassion of Maha Vairochana Why is Achala, the ferocious form of enlightenment, so popular in most schools of Mahayana Buddhism? Why is Achala...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Yellow Jambhala: Path to Genorsity through Financial Stability and Spiritual...
Jambhala Prosperity Practice: Opening the Heart to Generosity Does it seem counterintuitive that one of the treasured Buddhist practices is focused on wealth generation? Considering the Buddhist...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Stream of Gems Vasudhārā: The Buddhist Tara Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity;...
Vasudhārā’s name is a melodious Sanskrit phrase that translates to “stream of gems”. Thinking of Her as the “stream of gems” Tara paints a picture of abundant wealth and prosperity. Why is Prosperity...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Green Jambhala and Wisdom Dakini: The Karma Family Activity of Prosperity,...
Green Jambhala. Image available from Vajrayana Print on Etsy. Why is Green Jambhala with Mother Vasudhara Dakini the most important and prominent of the Jambhala mandala? Why is Green Jambhala’s...
View ArticleVideo: Hayagriva’s Powerful Mantra 1 Hour of Chanting: King of Protections,...
In difficult times of strife, war, hate, disease or disaster — or just when we need healing, protection or compassion — many Buddhist teachers recommend the powerful mantra of Hayagriva. Hayagriva is...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Magnetize me: working with the magnetizing activity deities of the Padma...
Many Buddhists are attracted (magnetized) to the charismatic emanations of Enlightenment of the Padma family: Amitabha, Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara), Hayagriva, Vajrayogini or Vajravarahi, Kurukulla,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Tantra Helps “Stop Ordinary Perception”, and is the Fast Path to...
The much revered Guru Lama Yeshe. The great teacher Lama Yeshe once asked: “Why are there so many different deities in tantra?” [1] On one hand, Mahayana Buddhism speaks to universality, emptiness,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
“The Mind of One Buddha is the Mind of All Buddhas”; How “Jewel Collection...
“The mind of one Buddha is the mind of all Buddhas,” said learned teacher Gelek Rimpoche, in a commentary on Vajrayogini. [1] “The mind of all Buddhas is the mind of a Buddha. It is like a huge...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Bodhidharma’s Breakthrough Teaching: Shastra on Eradicating Appearances
Bodhidharma[1] is one of the most venerated Buddhist masters of the far east. He was an Indian monk known for having brought the Zen[2] teachings to China, which then spread to Japan and other...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Part 3: 21 Taras of Mahasidda Suryagupta: after curing him of leprosy, Tara...
Suryagupta, one of the great Eighty-four Mahasiddas (7th/8th century), had countless visions of glorious Mother Tara. She so cherished the great master — also known as Ravigupta or “Nyi ma be pa” in...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Is there room for the supernatural in Western Buddhism? Four sutra views of...
Does removing the magic from Buddhist practice seem less — magical? Sometimes, with a secular approach to Buddhism, we strip away some of the flair, the near euphoric joy of the Buddha’s Dharma. That...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Avalokiteshvara’s Ten Prayers for happiness and well-being of all sentient...
Avalokiteshvara’s 10 prayers for the happiness and well-being of all sentient beings, exquisitely chanted by Khenpo Pema Choephel Rinpoche (mini-biography below) — with chant lyrics in video and below...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Lama Tsongkhapa: A Short, Powerful Practice Helps Bring Compassion, Wisdom,...
“In my opinion, having the opportunity to practice the guru yoga of the great holy being Lama Tsongkhapa, is more fortunate than having the chance to receive and practice other Dharma teachings,” wrote...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Mama Buddha Tara: Compassionate Action; Stories of Green Tara the Rescuer —...
“Tara is without doubt the most beloved female deity in Tibetan Buddhism, revered for her swiftness in helping those who rely on her. She has been described as a Buddha for our modern age, a sublime...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Veneration Practice and Devotion According to the Ksitigarbha Sutra: Why...
Editor: In a special feature, author Eddie Sobenes explores The Sutra of the Fundamental Vows of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, emphasizing the differences between the meritorious karma activity of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Youthful Manjushri: the flowering of wisdom; the gentle Buddha who cuts...
Of all the Buddhist meditational deities — and, of all the Bodhisattvas we meet in the sutras — the overwhelming feeling with Manjushri is “gentle wisdom” and “gentle friend.” We feel warm, comforted,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Chenrezig: the many faces of Avalokiteshvara’s compassion — sometimes we need...
Sometimes we need the gentle mother or father to guide us. We often need a best friend to console us, pat our back, pick us back up and inspire us to work harder. Or, we might need the strength of a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Buddhist Ganesha: popular Ganapati’s many forms include enlightened Yidam,...
Buddhist Ganesha’s appeal is wide-reaching, not just amongst the spiritual. Ganesh tatoos and t-shirts are very popular worldwide. There is, a “life-affirming” quality about his image, even for the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Healing Parnashavari — Tara’s Healing emanation: specialist in Contagious...
“Tara dressed in leaves” is Parnashavari, the 20th emanation of Tara in the 21 Taras Praise.[3] Her name literally translates from Sanskrit to English as a “leaf-clad goddess” — a treasured and revered...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Vajrapani, the “Hand of Buddha” defeats the poisons : pride, anger, hate and...
Vajrapani’s name means, literally, “Indestructible Hand” — the Hand of the Buddha. He is one of the three great Bodhisattvas, together with Avalokiteshvara (Chenrezig, Guanyin) and Manjushri, who...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Avalokitesvara compassion practices can “enhance treatment of anxiety,...
Avalokitesvara is the metaphorical rock star of the Bodhisattvas. “Avalokitesvara, the bodhisattva of compassion, is one of the most important and popular Buddhist deities,” writes Karen Andres in...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The 8 Great Bodhisattvas represent the 8 Great Qualities of Buddha; why we...
The 8 Great Bodhisattvas — also known as the Eight Great Sons — represent the eight great ideals of the Mahayana Path. They are integral to the Great Vehicle Path of Buddhism, that embraces compassion...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Pacifier of War and Strife, Avalokiteshvara Guanyin Chenrezig — Bodhisattva...
Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin, Chenrezig, Kannon) is immediately synonymous with the word Bodhisattva — He (or She) is the quintessential Bodhisattva — the superhero savior. How do we ask for the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Three Great Bodhisattvas of Wisdom, Compassion, and Power — Manjushri,...
The Three Great Bodhisattvas represent the three main focuses of Buddhist Practice — to cultivate Wisdom, Compassion and the Power of Enlightened Activity. Thought of in another way, the Three Great...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Sacred outlook – seeing beyond ordinary perception in modern culture and...
‘Beware of confining yourself to a particular belief and denying all else, for much good would elude you – indeed, the knowledge of reality would elude you. Be in yourself for all forms of belief,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Prajnaparamita Yum Chenmo, the Face of Perfection: Wisdom Personified,...
Why do we call Prajnaparamita — and Her Emanations, such as Tara — the Mother of the Buddhas? Is Prajnaparamita a Sutra or a Goddess or both? Venerable Zasep Rinpoche explained, “Prajnaparamita means...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Maitreya Bodhisattva, the Future Buddha — the face of Love; the loving friend...
Maitreya Bodhisattva, the Future Buddha — the face of Love; the loving friend of all sentient beings Why is Maitreya Bodhisattva, the Future Buddha, the face of love? Why does his name translate as...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Arya Supreme White Tara, ultimate Tara is more than a “long life” Tara — she...
Vajrayana Buddhist teachers are universal in their enthusiasm for White Tara. Almost every teacher has real-life stories of people close to them who have been helped by White Tara, especially for...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Celebrating Loving Kindness on Maitreya Day: Significance and Traditional...
From “ringing the bell 108 times” as a ceremony, to great festivals of light and offerings, Lunar New Year marks the special day for the “Buddha to Come” Maitreya. On this day, we celebrate with...
View ArticleClik here to view.
“What Bodhisattvas Do” 37 Practices of All Bodhisattvas: the Total Path, a...
What are The Thirty-Seven Practices of All the Bodhisattvas and why are they so revered in Mahayana? “One of the most famous native Tibetan texts on mind training, this classic by Tokme Zangpo...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Great Cundī Dhāraṇī Sūtra and the Great Mother Cunda: Benefits,...
Cundi (Cunda) Mother of Seven Million Buddhas, in her 18 armed form is moon white. Image from VajrayanaPrint. The Heart of the Mother of Seven Koṭi Buddhas The Sūtra of the Great Cundī Dhāraṇī, the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Boundless Heroine Tara: Bodhisattva, Mother, Saviour, Friend: Stories of...
Tara is not a static concept. Instead of a seated Buddha, we think of her as a dynamic action heroine, the karma goddess helping and rescuing beings. Here in our concept from our Video “Boundless...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Ushnisha Vijaya Dharani Overcomes Six Types of Suffering, Conquering the Lord...
Ushnisha Vijaya Namgyalma is more than a long life Goddess. She is one of the Three Supremes in some of Marpa the Translators key Sadhana practices. Beautiful painting by Angeli Lhadripa Shkonda. See...
View ArticleClik here to view.
4 Practices on Lunar Days: 5 Buddha’s Vow and Practicing Activity, Merit,...
Why are lunar days, such as the new moon and full moon, special in Buddhism? What are the four special practice days based on lunar phases that have extra merit for Dharma practice? Why is the New...
View ArticleClik here to view.
VIDEO: Vajrapani Vajra Armor Mantra: Supreme Protection of Dorje Godrab...
Vajrapani Vajra Armor Video Thumbnail. Video plays below. Why is the great Vajra Armor Mantra, the Kavica or armor of Padmasambhava, famous for helping remedy 404 types of diseases? In what way can it...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Video: Buddhist Exorcism: Kshitigarbha’s Instruction: Demon Hunters Part 2...
Buddhist Exorcism Part 2 Mahayana Methods and Kshitigarbha’s Instructions Video Thumbnail Why is the Bodhisattva practice of Kṣitigarbha (क्षितिगर्भ, 地藏, 지장, ས་ཡི་སྙིང་པོ་, Địa Tạng) the most profound...
View Article