The Living Journal - A Blessed Silent Night

Silent night, holy night!

All is calm, all is bright.

Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.

Holy infant so tender and mild,

Sleep in heavenly peace,

Sleep in heavenly peace

A silent night, a star above, a blessed gift of hope and love. 

May all the sweet magic of Christmas conspire to gladden your heart and fill every desire.

Faith makes all things possible, 

Hope makes all things work, 

Love makes all things beautiful, 

May you have all the three for this Christmas. 

May this Christmas season of loves brings your closer to all those that you treasure in your heart.

I do not have enough gifts, for all my Facebook friends tonight, but with my little home Christmas decorations and good wishes that all I could come up with that fills with all the greetings and loves that this festive season brings.

May you have the gift of faith, the blessing of hope and the peace of love always. Sharing with you the Glory, the Wonder, and the Miracle of this Holy Season. 

Have a Blessed Merry Christmas and a great blissful Silent Night.

Love always

Thubten Choeyang Maxwell

Admin, Tibetan Culture.

The Living Journal - The Sound of The Heavenly Melodies

The journal today is about Tibetan religious musical instrument, the Tibetan’s white conch shell. It's widely known as the sound of the heavenly melodies. In Vajrayana tradition, we offerings  religious music to the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and the enlightened beings during the ritual and other prayer practices.

The Buddhas, enlightened beings they do not requiring these kinds of music offerings. We make these offerings is for accumulation of merits and wisdoms, enlightenment, Buddha hood, is achieved through these great qualities - accumulation and purifications. As we knew the Buddhas had limitless of qualities which were attained through these two mentioned qualities.

“Dung-Dkar” literally means “white conch” in Tibetan language, because most of the trumpet made of white conch shell. Most Tibetan Dung-Dkar trumpet was made of conch shell; sometimes you can see some natural inclusions in the conch shell. Most of the Dung-Dkar trumpet is heavily decorated with ornate patterns in metals, such as silver, bronze or tin. Some beautiful stones will add on it, such as ruby, sapphire and so on. 

Dung-Dkar trumpet has a bright bead; someone even was inserted with beautiful turquoise and coral. When you blow through the mouthpiece on one end, the sound will be created, and it sounds like a trumpet, companioning music sheds long ago, it seems takes you to somewhere beyond the highest Himalaya peak.

Throughout recorded history, the Dung-Dkar has been used as a religious musical instrument, Tibetan people believe that it can invoke spirits or banish evil which is said to represent good energy. It is really a rare artwork and worth collecting for those people who interested in Tibetan culture! Explore Tibet offers you the most sincere invitation to Tibet.

There are different types of instruments, cymbals, bells, guitars, lutes, all are for offerings. Their nature is wisdom, which makes an offering to the ears of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and other enlightened beings. Sound represents wisdom because wisdom is a special power of the mind which penetrates phenomena. Compassion is achieved through great wisdom; interdependence of all phenomena is realized through great wisdom.

All phenomena have the nature of interdependence, causes and conditions, but sound is rather easy to understand. If you play a guitar, what does the sound depend on? It does not come just from the piece of wood, the string, not from the fingers, so where does it come from? Actually it comes from all these things; none is sufficient to produce the sound. That nature is called illusion.

We can hear the sound, but it has no independent existence. We should see all sound are having the nature, it just comes and goes like an echo. The realization is wisdom, and through that realization we can attain super mundane quality. 

May the wisdom, that quality of the super mundane, arise within the minds of all sentient beings and free them from all confusion and ignorance. May them achieve enlightenment. In one’s future lives one will be born with beautiful voice and always hear pleasant sound, especially the sound of Dharma.

Thank you for reading , may you find peace and great bliss. With your support it helps spread the Buddha's precious teachings and turning the Dharma wheels in the world. 

Aspiration For Bodhichitta

May the precious Bodhichitta arise

Where it has not arisen

And where it has arisen may it not decrease

But increase further and further.

Nagarjuna's Dedication of Merit
By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.
Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.
May we liberate migrators from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness and death.

*Note*
I do not own or infringe any copyright of these photos.

Photos courtesy and credit to the rightful owners.

The Living Journal - The Indestructible Path

Vajrayana, refers to the third vehicle of Buddhism, often known as Lamaism, which originated in Tibet in the eight century and gradually spread to its neighboring countries. Vajrayana is made up the three Yanas of Theravada and Mahayana traditions, Vajrayana which is also regarded as Tantric or Esoteric Buddhism. 

To practice it, one must have the skillful guidance of an accomplished Lama or Guru because its emphasis is mainly on ritualistic ceremonial actions and practices which involve the body, speech and mind technique, the body being valued as the proper vehicle for salvation.

Beginners to Buddhism are advised to have thorough in the Hinayana before moving into Mahayana. Only when their foundations are strong enough and they have gained sufficient of wisdom should they consider entering the Vajra path. It may be a vehicle that promise enlightenment within a single-life time and many are therefore likely to be attracted to it.

The training in Vajrayana must always be carried out under the direction of a Guru or Lama since it entails a variety of complicated ritual practice and it is not advisable for anyone to practice them by reading from any text books alone.  Vajrayana or refers as a Diamond vehicle teaches that every Buddhas or Bodhisattva is associated with a particular mantra, mudra, which recite or performed correctly, can link one with the Deity in question and partake its transcendental powers.

A mantra consists of a number of syllables which when translated literally, may be quite meaningless, but it can be extremely effective when pronounced by one who has undergone the proper training and discipline and is familiar with its operations. Mantra, when uttered correctly, can have the  power drive off evil spirits or thwart the actions of black magic sent by enemies, It must be WARNED that mantras should not be learned from text books or freely used.

The Vajrayana practitioners should be able to keep his or her personal practice, the Vajrayana vows and any teachings that one has received, secret and sacred. If one were to share with all and sundry, this will break the power of one practice and their vows and one will then take a longer time to fulfill their aspirations.

Not all Vajrayana teachings are suitable for beginner, if the practitioner were to share inappropriately, one may harm the listener by causing him or her to develop a negative view towards the teaching, and, towards the practitioner himself or herself. By doing so, the students will create negative karma which will be an obstacle to their practice. Yes you can or may discuss topics with your Vajra friends or share with your Guru or Lama, but not with everyone.

The Living Journal - Equanimity and tranquility

A man of calm is like a shady tree,

people who need shelter come to it. 

As we get older, you find out that true happiness is not how much you have made, how big is your house is, how fancy is our car is, It's finding peace , joy and calmness in your life that will soon become the important aspect for you and your family are what matters most. When we get older, We see things that are of quality and not of quantity.

So, spend a couple of minutes to walk alone in silence,

Look up at the sky and look at the passing clouds and contemplate a while and reflecting how amazing life is.

Take away attraction,

Take away aversion,

Let go of attachments,

What are you left with ? 

Equanimity.

Breathing in , let calm my body and minds,

Breathing out, smiles this is the moments to be free.....

Dedication of merits

May the supreme jewel Bodhichitta

That has not arise and grow

And may that which has arisen and not diminish

But increase further and further

The prayer and the person who does the prayer are empty without existence.

Thank you for reading and may you find peace and great bliss. With your helps it spread and turning the Dharma wheel and Buddha's precious teachings in he world.

*Note

I do not own and infringe any copyright of these photos.

Photos courtesy and credits to it rightful owners.

The Living Journal - The Eternal Love

There is no fear in Love, if the Love is real and perfect it overshadows all fears and concern. Love is not what you can receive; it's all about what you can give.

Every body loves you, when you love every body. No one loves you, if you do not love any one. Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.

Love someone is not because they give you what you need. But because they give you the feelings and overcoming of fears that you never thought you needed. 

Simple truth of present, if you don’t want to know what is pain, don't hurt and harm anyone. There is only one happiness in life, is to love and be loved with your open heart and open mind.

Sometimes when we come into someone's life, is not just to make them love, but is to let them feel that they are so much worth living for. 

Life ends when we stop cherishing, hope ends when we stop believing,love ends when we stop caring. So, let's love and hope that makes our life worth living for and make every possible move as our road to an eternal journey.... 

Aspiration For Bodhichitta

May the precious Bodhichitta arise

Where it has not arisen

And where it has arisen may it not decrease

But increase further and further.

Nagarjuna's Dedication of Merit

By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.

May we liberate migrators from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness and death.

Thank you for reading and may you find peace and great bliss. With your support it helps spread and turning the precious Buddha's teaching in the world.

*Note

I do not own and infringe any copyright of these photos. Photos courtesy and credits to it rightful owners.

The Victorious White Parasol Goddess - Ushnisha Sitatapatra

Who is The Victorious White Parasol Goddess - Ushnisha Sitatapatra ?
The name Ushnisha Sitatapatra translates as "The Victorious White Parasol. She is the protector against supernatural phenomena dangers and quelling disasters. Ushnisha Sitatapatra, is her name in Sanskrit, and 'Dug-Kar' is her name in Tibetan.

Her name is composed of 'Sita' (White) and 'atapatra (Parasol or Umbrella).She is known as the White Umbrella Goddess who saves us from all harm. Her parasol symbolizes protection from natural catastrophes, diseases, spirit harm and all forms of misfortune. 

Ushnisha Sitatapatra is one of the most complex Vajrayana goddesses. According to the Buddhist text,  Ushnisha Sitatapatra emerged from the Buddha's ushnisha when Buddha was in the heaven. 

The Buddha announced her role to "cut asunder completely all malignant demons, to cut asunder all the spells of others, to turn aside all enemies and dangers and hatred." Her benign and beautiful form belies her ferocity as she is a "fierce, terrifying goddess, garlanded by flames, a pulverizer of enemies and demons.

The Victorious White Parasol Goddess - Ushnisha Sitatapatra is one of many powerful female deities. She manifests her power with her thousand heads, arms, and legs. She has eyes on the palms of each of her hands and soles of her feet, and each head has three eyes. 

Standing triumphantly within an aureole blazing with the fire of wisdom, the goddess tramples the enemies of spiritual attainment (such as anger, greed and delusion) with her numerous feet. In Ushnisha-Sitatapatra’s primary hands are the white umbrella of protection and the wheel of the Dharma (the Buddha’s teaching). Her other hands brandish various weapons and form a halo around her.

She has one thousand faces, arms and legs; each face has three eyes, and she has one eye in the palm of each hand and the sole of each foot, showing that she watches and protects sentient beings.Her central faces are white (as is her body); her right faces are yellow, the faces at the rear of her body are red, and the left faces green; there is also a "tier" of blue faces at the top of her head.

Her right hands hold wheels of the Dharma (dharmachakra) and her left hands hold arrows; one of her other left hands also holds aloft a white umbrella which also symbolises her protection.

She is venerated in both the Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions. Ushnisha Sitatapatra is a powerful independent Bodhisattva as she was emanated by our Lord Shakyamuni Buddha  from his ushnisha. Whoever practices her mantra will be reborn in Amitābha's pure land as well as gaining protection against supernatural danger and black magic. Ushnisha Sitatapatr is a female counterpart of the thousand-armed form of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva.

Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva is a Sanskrit word, Avalokiteshvara  Bodhisattva is known as the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Ushnisha Sitatapatra has a thousand eyes that watch over living beings, and a thousand arms that protect and assist them. 

Ushnisha Sitatapatra, her parasol indicates her ability to protect sentient beings from natural disaster and diseases. 

She is white in color, because the principal means by which she accomplishes this function is the enlightenment energy of pacification. By Chanting her mantra invokes extremely powerful protection. Ushnisha Sitatapatra is a powerful independent deity as she was emanated by Shakyamuni Buddha from his Ushnisha. Whoever practices her mantra will be reborn in Amitābha's Dewachen pure land. 

Ushnisah Sitatapatra Bodhisattva is one of the most complex Vajrayana goddesses.Ushnisah Sitatapatra she emerged from the Buddha ushnisha when he was in the heaven. The Buddha announced her role to cut asunder completely all malignant demons,to cut asunder all the spells of others and to turn aside all enemies and dangers and hatred. Her benign and beautiful form belies her ferocity as she is a 'fierce terrifying goddess, garlanded by flames, a pulverized of enemies and demons or evils spirits.

Ushnisha Sitatapatra has strong and magic power to influence all living creatures with her noble moral. The white umbrella in her hand is one of the eight pieces of treasures which is said can be used to drive away the monsters and bring peace. It is said that anyone who have received the oral transmission or empowerment , a minimum requirement to complete the recitation of her mantra is 100, 000 times.

What do the demons under Ushnisha Sitatapatra feet and its representation?

Demons in the Buddhist sense are the bad qualities within all living beings that hinder our path to Buddhahood, such as greed, hatred, and pride. Buddhists have compassion for all beings, even the demons, who must be subdued and brought back into the fold. 

Every being in the universe will eventually attain enlightenment, including the most evil. For all Buddhists, there is no ultimate evil, only delusions represented by demons, who need to be guided back on the Buddhist path. Representations of demons also assist in the meditation on one’s own inner demons that need subduing. The meditator seeks to become like the deity and subdue these inner demons.

Ushnisha Sitatapatra manifests in many elaborate forms, the most commonly manifestation of having a thousand faces, arms and legs or simply as a feminine deity or goddess of great beauty. She us known foremost for her "White Umbrella or White Parasol". She is most frequently attributed with the golden wheel. The auspiciousness of the turning of the precious wheel is symbolic of the Buddha's doctrine, both in its teachings and realization.

** Footnote
Vajrayana features countless skillful and powerful methods which, if they are practiced in the proper way, can make the process of accumulation and purification incredibly swift and direct.

Please consult your Guru or a qualified lineage master for Vajrayana practice! Should a devotee even want to start studying and contemplating the tantric practice, then it is truly necessary to first have completed the preliminaries and to be certain and sure that bodhicitta has arisen and developed in one’s mind.

It is absolutely necessary to have the pure motivation and to know that Vajrayana practice is not carried out to increase one’s own power and profit. 

Do you earnestly cherish our devoted work? Assuming this is the case, we are delighted that you are finding our blog useful and valuable. Would you consider making a donation for our Buddhist research and development?  

We need your help to secure the future of scholarly interaction with Buddhism. Since our very first publication of Dharma works and activities in the year 2008, we had been effortlessly providing free distribution of Dharma posts and articles throughout the previous 10 years.  We have exceptionally constrained supports and do not receive subsidized or funding from people in general. 

Please help us and to develop our Dharma activities that will not only benefit you, but to all Dharma readers on the planet. Please consider showing your support. Your generosity will certainly help us to enhance our work and to accomplish for a better and brighter prospect to come.

Thank you for reading, may you find peace and great bliss. With your support it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turning the Dharma wheels in the world. 

Aspiration For Bodhichitta

May the precious Bodhichitta arise

Where it has not arisen

And where it has arisen may it not decrease

But increase further and further.

Nagarjuna's Dedication of Merit

By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.

May we liberate migrators from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness and death.

*Note 

I do not own or infringe any copyright of the picture(s).
Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and or studios.
Picture(s) is/are intended for editorial use only.

Inspiration Words By The Enlightened Beings

Every drop of water helps to swell the ocean.

Every good and bad action will never goes unnoticed.

Truly, one becomes good through good action, and evil through evil action.

The Buddha said that when we dedicate merit, it is like adding a drop of water to the ocean. Just as a drop of water added to the ocean will not dry up but will exist as long as the ocean itself exists, so, too, if we dedicate the merit of any virtuous deed, it merges with the vast ocean of merit that endures until enlightenment.

Quoted by Padmasambhava, Guru Rinpoche.

Aspiration For Bodhichitta

May the precious Bodhichitta arise

Where it has not arisen

And where it has arisen may it not decrease

But increase further and further.

Nagarjuna's Dedication of Merit

By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.

May we liberate migrators from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness and death.

Thank you for reading and may you find peace and great bliss. With your support it helps spread and turning the precious Buddha's teaching in the world.

*Note 

I do not own and infringe any copyright of these photos.

Photos courtesy and credit to it rightful owners.