Showing posts with label Cultural. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cultural. Show all posts

Saturday, July 1, 2017

Tibetan Buddhism And Cultism

Tibetan Buddhism is a religion in exile, forced from its homeland when Tibet was conquered by the Chinese. At one time it was believed that 1 in 6 Tibetan men were Buddhist monks.
The best known face of Tibetan Buddhism is the 14th Dalai Lama, who has lived in a state of exile in India since he fled the Chinese occupation of his country in 1959.

Tibetan Buddhism consolidates the essential teachings of Mahayana Buddhism with Tantric and Shamanic, and material from an ancient Tibetan religion called Bon. Although Tibetan Buddhism is Vajrayana thought to be indistinguishable with Vajrayana Buddhism, they are not identical - Vajrayana is educated in Tibetan Buddhism together with the other vehicles.
History

Buddhism turned into a major presence in Tibet towards the end of the 8th century CE. It was brought from India at the invitation of the Tibetan ruler, Trisong Detsen, who welcomed two Buddhist masters to Tibet and had imperative Buddhist texts converted into Tibetan.

First to come was Shantarakshita, abbot of Nalanda in India, who built the first monastery in Tibet. He was followed by Padmasambhava, who came to use his wisdom and power to overcome " otherworldly spiritual" forces that were stopping work on the new monastery. 
The four lineages of  Tibetan Buddhism
  1. Nyingmapa: Founded by Padmasambhava, this is oldest sect, noted in the West for the teachings of the Tibetan Book of the Dead.
  2. Kagyupa: Founded by Tilopa (988-1069), the Kagyupa tradition is headed by the Karmapa Lama. Important Kagyupa teachers include Naropa, Marpa, and Milarepa.
  3. Sakyapa: Created by Gonchok Gyelpo (1034-1102) and his son Gunga Nyingpo (1092-1158).
  4. Gelugpa: (The Virtuous School) Founded by Tsong Khapa Lobsang Drakpa (also called Je Rinpoche) (1357 - 1419), this tradition is headed by the Dalai Lama.
Sectarian and Cultism 

New Kadampa Tradition [ NKT ]  one of the major Buddhist schools in the UK, established by the Tibetan-born Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. Tibetan Buddhists are viewed and regarded the NKT as a Sectarian, denoting or concerning a sect or cultism and which is outside the mainstream tradition. 

The New Kadampa Tradition in the West and conflict  and disagreement with the Dalai Lama
In 1976 Geshe Kelsang was invited to teach in the UK by Lama Yeshe, the head instructor of the FPMT, Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition. 
In the late 1970s Geshe Kelsang took the controversial decision of opening his own particular Buddhist Centre in York. He was asked to resign his post Priory but resisted pressure to leave after a group of his closest students pleaded with him to stay.

Critics claim this was the beginning of a rift between Kelsang and the FPMT. They additionally accuse Kelsang of starting a breakaway movement and argue that the New Kadampa Tradition, as it is known today, is not part of the ancient Kadampa Tradition but a split from the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism.
Disagreement and conflict with His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama

Despite the popularity of the New Kadampa NKT Tradition - the organization was involved in a public dispute with the Dalai Lama which began in 1996. The problem focuses on the accentuation placed on the Dharma Protector (* D.S ) by Kelsang. 

The NKT venerates (* D. S )as its protector deity. The Dalai Lama, however, has rejected and spoken out against this practice. He has described (*D.S )  as an evil and malevolent force, and argued that other Lamas before him had also placed restrictions on worship of this spirit.
After the Lama made these statements public in 1996 some followers of (*D.S ) protested against the Dalai Lama in London, blaming him of suppressing their religious freedom. 

Today members of the New Kadampa Tradition continue to worship (* D.S )

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
For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen
May it arise and not decrease
But increase further and further.

Dedication of Merit
By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.
Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.
May we liberate migratory 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.

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

The Rhythm of Meditation.

Mountain Stream is the sound of crystal-clear water trickling playfully between rocks and sparkling in the sunshine, accompanied by the occasional bird song. Traditionally there would simply be silenced or ambient background noise to accompany meditation. So-called meditation sound or rhythm is meant to be relaxing, and of course meditation does help you to relax too, but it goes beyond that and helps us to be more alert and focused. It also helps us to reflect deeply. Sound or rhythm meditation and reflection is likely to get in the way of those activities. 

Everyday noise can be harmful, stress and lack of vitality are simply two of the negative impacts that everyday noises might have on our bodies. Furthermore, regular noises have now been demonstrated to contribute to insomnia issues, insufficient of motivation, inspiration, decreasing efficiency levels, creativity, poor state of mind and increased coronary arrest risk.

Counteracting of noises may possibly not be the sole reason behind of the stress and other health issues we experience, but it is most certainly one source. Fortunately, we are able to lessen, and even change, the negative impacts and effects and noise has on our minds and bodies through regular exposure to the higher frequency sounds present in nature.
Spending a day, or even part of a day, in nature provides our bodies and mind with a truly necessary relief from stress. Unfortunately, going out into nature or waterfalls regularity is not always a course of action, so bring nature sounds into your home or terrace is the practical solution. Listening to sound and audio recordings that feature babbling brooks, ocean waves, rain showers, the birds singing, and other natural sounds is one alternative.
Water symbolizes purity, clarity and tranquility, and reminds us to cleanse our minds and attain the state of purity . Water is used to smooth away dirt. When absolutely everyone sees you, they are blissful and joyful. This is due to the fact they are reminded that they could wash away the illusion of their minds. They should wash away egocentric and unkind thoughts and be clean and pure like you. 

The outcomes of mindfulness mediation stated that rain and other water sounds had vigorous alpha rhythm, inducing alpha rhythm activity in the human mind which can be correlated to comfortable, meditative states.

If you’re going to listen to natural sound or rhythm as meditation, then you have to take it significantly as a practice. Try not to do something else at the same time while you’re listening. Switch off your cell phone. Darken the room. Just concentrate to the melodies, sound or rhythm. 
Make sure you’re in a secure function that supports alert attention. Sit readily, comfortably, and just pay attention to the sound. You’ll probably find the state of joyfulness that you will be fond of it like never before.

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
For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen
May it arise and not decrease
But increase further and further.

Dedication of Merit
By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.
Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.
May we liberate migratory 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.

Monday, June 19, 2017

釋迦牟尼佛頂骨舍利宮殿震撼世界

美到窒息!釋迦牟尼佛頂骨舍利宮殿震撼世界

Shakyamuni Buddha's bone relics golden palace stunned the world. It's unbelievable, so amazingly beautiful, stunning yet awesome, breathtaking ever built.

南京牛首山佛頂宮屬於深坑建築,外空間分為大穹頂和小穹頂兩部分,寓意為外供養和內供養。內空間分九層,地上三層、地下六層,地下層由舍利大殿和舍利藏宮兩大空間構成。

禪境大觀涵蓋了地上三層,由佛陀出生、成道的禪境花園及如蓮劇場三個部分組成,三個部分展現了佛祖一生的行跡。

禪境大觀的頂部是娑羅穹頂,圖案來源於佛陀涅槃時的娑羅樹杈。穹頂可以營造出清晨的第一縷晨曦、正午熱烈的日光、傍晚的彩霞和入夜的月光。當穹頂下巨型臥自雲霧中佛緩緩升起,所有人都感嘆太壯觀!

閱讀全文新聞,請在這裡點擊和分享出去! 阿彌陀佛! 謝謝
   


Monday, June 12, 2017

The Living Journal - How Could You Not Inspire Others?

The Living Journal - How Could You Not Inspire Others?

When we are confronting the miseries of life, and also the moment of life and death? Everything appears to be so ephemeral.

Life is virtually hard, we confronted many obstacles as we experience our voyage and we must be constantly reminded ourselves that whether our next minutes or another day will arrive is continually remaining as an uncertainty and vulnerability. 

When the people being asked how life proceeding with them. They will make an effort to smile and say "okay". 

Fundamentally, many people are not truly cheerful and happy with respect to their life. For what reason then ? What transpire now ? Numerous issues identified with financial , relationship, marriage, child education, friends and health issues. 

We assumed that no one knows better than we comprehended ourselves evidently. We cannot share our problems out of concerned that it will be gossiped , being looked down by others and let alone by our loved ones.

Every so often, we are pretending to look joyful and blissful before others, yet somewhere deep in our heart we seal off our problem within ourselves . Many preferred not sharing openly of their miseries of life. 
Isolated and confined themselves and remain silent, days by nights just passing through, and some will eventually end up being an alcoholic, a mental patient. Many scenarios, people will have the tendency to commit suicide or most noticeably bad circumstance is becoming a rampant killer that is what happening currently in many countries.

I am not asking you to be a hero or saint to save the world, what I am suggesting here, essentially any event you can amplify or extend your assistance or a careful eye to your loved ones, friends and people that you may know.

Keep in mind this : We have two hands, one is to help ourselves, another is to inspire others.

For details, please visit my original article content posted on Mylot as follow:-
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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
For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen
May it arise and not decrease
But increase further and further.

Dedication of Merit
By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.
Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.
May we liberate migratory 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.

Saturday, June 10, 2017

Did you know where is the highest Monastery in the world?

Our original article was posted to Mylot com on June 09, 2017

Did you know where is the highest Monastery in the world?  

This is a very thrilling and yet seem to be not many people know exactly where is the world most highest monastery ever built on earth! 

The world most highest temple is located in the "roof of the world” Himalayas . The highest monastery's titled was professed by: The Rongbuk Monastery. 
Rongbuk monastery located remotely in the northern region of Mount Everest with an altitude of five thousand meters [16, 404 feet] above the sea level and this claimed to be the highest ever known or discovered monastery in the world.  Rongbuk Monastery was built in the early 18 century. 

The sacred temple was................

Details, please follow us at mylot com web address as follow:


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

For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen
May it arise and not decrease
But increase further and further.

Dedication of Merit
By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.
Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.
May we liberate migratory 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.

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

A new challenge comes from within.


Have you at any point asked yourself, do I really have any dread ? What will be your greatest dread in each aspect of your life? 

An extensive number of individuals will adopt an alternate kind of strategy when comes to settling on the choice in the workplace meeting. Numerous incredible cases are among our working collaborators . Some will jibber-jabber and giving different recommendations, insights, and there are some who are remaining quiet all through the meeting.

For what reason do people conduct themselves in so significantly and remarkably distinctive? Those that decide to get quiet and you barely find is there any reactions or expression from them. Typically the person who is noiseless is the individual who might be or could be severely deprived of self-confident. 
The possibility of this individual is more likely to be neglected or they will not be given adequate opportunity to advance. This is disputably that these individuals may probably lose all the important perspective in their profession. Some contending , in the meeting its not necessary for everyone participating or engage in talking. 

Meeting is the point at which a gathering of individuals to participate an interest for trading thoughts, issues, feedback and communication skills and furthermore a basic leadership time. 
  
Generally, for the most part we are individuals with our physical and mental perception, thoughts and emotions and other positive and negative contemplations that will concurrently react accordingly. Naturally, there are a significant number of us surely knew well enough of their feelings of fears and trepidation.
Be that as it may and regrettably, some individuals actually have to unearth intensely to discover................

To continue, please visit the following link:-
http://www.mylot.com/post/3071653/a-new-challenge-comes-from-within

Thursday, May 25, 2017

What makes us uniquely in life

What makes us uniquely in life
I choose goodness, integrity and dignity it does not make me weaker.

I understood that goodness is our human instinct, that is one cannot be evil, and if it’s a malicious, such fiendishness act will be accountable by it’s own Karmic forces.

In today’s world, how could we ever comprehend more evidently about the general population who are living appropriate alongside of us? For the most part , these are the people who live like us, who appear like us, however they don’t act or behave like us.
Do we know why there are such a large number of merciless battles against each other, many individuals fight compellingly without any solid reasons. Everyone’s having its own one of a kind, very own unique culture, backdrop and distinctive religions beliefs.
Nevertheless there are so many individuals engaging in a violence, hostile or aggression toward others for the sake of their religion.
These are the ideas of conviction of our present day society:
People will fight for their religion in all causes,
People will die for their religion in all causes,
Yet, unfortunately these people will never learn and practice their religion diligently.

Shakyamuni Buddha taught us before, it’s all about the five Kleshas or the five toxic minds.
The five toxins and its key standards are as per the following................

For details of this article, please visit us at the following link:-

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
For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen
May it arise and not decrease
But increase further and further.

Dedication of Merit
By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.
Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.
May we liberate migratory 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.

Saturday, May 13, 2017

What makes us special in life - Gratefulness. - LiteracyBase

What makes us to be grateful in life ? Perhaps , there are various of glorious and compelling stories that have impressed you dearly and spiritually .
There is one issue that we do have a tendency or make the most is to abuse one’s kindness. By exploiting the kindness and trust of others, that is appalling. There is one aspect that cannot be betrayed, that is the inclination and this is the sensation of our affection.
One factor cannot be betrayed, that is our truthfulness or honesties. Utilizing the trustworthiness, or the honesty of an individual, this is we do not assume at the liability, by simply picking up popularity and to misleading individuals that once trusted us most.................
For details of the article, please visit the following Literacybase website link:-
What makes us special in life - Gratefulness. - LiteracyBase

Sunday, May 7, 2017

Tibetan Buddhist Chant

A Buddhist chant is a form of musical verse or incantation, in some ways comparable or similar  to other faiths recitations. They exist in just about every part of the Buddhist world, from the in Thailand to the Tibetan Buddhist temples in India and Tibet. 

When you go to any Buddhist temple you may encounter people chanting. All schools of Buddhism have some kind of chanted liturgy, although the content of the chants varies widely.
What is a Liturgy 
Liturgy is a rite or a system of rites prescribed for public worship in any religion. A Buddhist liturgy is a formalized service of veneration and worship performed within a Buddhist Sangha community in nearly every traditional denomination and sect in the Buddhist world. It is often done one or more times a day and can vary amongst the Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana sects.

The liturgy mainly consists of chanting or reciting a sutra or passages from a sutra, a mantra (especially in Vajrayana), and several Gathas. Depending on what practice the practitioner wishes to undertake, it can be done in a temple or at home. The liturgy is almost always performed in front of an object or objects of veneration and accompanied by offerings of light, incense, water and/or food.

Almost every Buddhist school has some tradition of chanting associated with it, regardless of being Theravada or Mahayana. In Buddhism, chanting is the traditional means of preparing the mind for meditation, especially as part of formal practice (in either a lay or monastic context). Some forms of Buddhism also use chanting for ritualistic purposes.
Vajrayana chants
In the Vajrayana tradition, chanting is also used as an invocation of a ritual in order to set one's mind on a deity, Tantric ceremony, mandala, or particular concept one wishes to further in themselves.

For Vajrayana practitioners, the chant Om Mani Padme Hum is very popular around the world as both a praise of peace and the primary mantra of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. Other popular chants include those of Tara, Medicine Buddha, and Amitabha Buddha.

Tibetan monks are noted for their skill at throat-singing, a specialized form of chanting in which, by amplifying the voice's upper partials, the chanter can produce multiple distinct pitches simultaneously. Japanese esoteric practitioners also practice a form of chanting called shomyo.
Tibetan lamas throat singing 
The throat singing or overtone singing also known as overtone chanting, harmonic singing or throat singing—is a type of singing in which the singer manipulates the resonances (or formants) created as air travels from the lungs, past the vocal folds, and out of the lips to produce a melody. 

You can listen here how the Tibetan Lamas throat singing that is sounded so divinely and spiritually:-

Tibetan Buddhists believe that chanting the mantra of Om Mani Padme Hum, out loud or silently to oneself, invokes the powerful benevolent attention and blessings of Chenrezig Bodhisattva or in Sanskrit word is Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva the embodiment of compassion. Viewing the written form of the mantra is said to have the same effect -- it is often carved into stones, like the one pictured above, and placed where people can see them.  

In surrendering to Buddhist ritual, you quiet yourself, abandon your individuality and preconceptions, and let the myriad things to experience themselves. It can be very powerful. The power of the rituals manifests when you engage in them fully and give yourself to them completely, with your entire heart and mind. When you are fully mindful of a ritual, the "I" and "other" disappear and the heart-mind opens.

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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
For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen
May it arise and not decrease
But increase further and further.

Dedication of Merit
By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.
Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.
May we liberate migratory 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.

Sunday, April 16, 2017

A New Tibet Comes With A Price

A few facts of Tibet Nowadays 

Modernization poses a new challenge for a new Tibet and herecomes with a price and the causes and effects of Urbanization and modernization of Tibet under People's Republic of China. 

Tibet in recent decades is transformed beyond recognition. Modern Face of Tibet is in fact, modernization poses a new challenge for a new Tibet and herecomes with a price.  What can we find true or real face of Tibet?

Pollution into the environment with new high rise apartment buildings, new highways, new railroads, new airports, new malls, business hotels, pubs and lounges, underground disco, KTV , alcohols, drug abuses , crime rate on the rise and diseases that easily find a place in Tibetan Soil.
STD and AIDS in Tibet autonomous region (TAR)
Tibet, one of the latest places in the world to be exposed to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), is now becoming a place of high prevalence rate, according to some studies that have been kept low key where the first case was diagnosed in 2002. 

While the number of HIV-positive Tibetans are going up yearly, many residents of major Tibetan regions in Gansu, Qinghai, Suchuan and Yunnan Provinces and the Tibet Autonomous Region do now know what AIDS is or realize it is fatal, said Chupal Sangpo, deputy director of an NGO in Sichuan dedicated in educating Tibetans about HIV.

At the end of 2015, new HIV cases in Tibet went down, while 77,000 people diagnosed as HIV-positive received treatment in the past 12 months.
Tibetan Buddhism is a religion in exile, forced from its homeland when Tibet was conquered by the Chinese. At one time it was thought that 1 in 6 Tibetan men were Buddhist monks. The best known face of Tibetan Buddhism is the Dalai Lama, who has lived in exile in India since he fled the Chinese occupation of his country in 1959.

Tibetan Buddhism combines the essential teachings of the Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism with Tantric and Shamanic, and material from an ancient Tibetan religion called Bon. Although Tibetan Buddhism is often thought to be identical with Vajrayana Buddhism, they are not identical - Vajrayana is taught in Tibetan Buddhism together with the other vehicles.
History
Buddhism became a major presence in Tibet towards the end of the 8th century CE. It was brought from India at the invitation of the Tibetan king, Trisong Detsen, who invited two Buddhist masters to Tibet and had important Buddhist texts translated into Tibetan.

First to come was Shantarakshita, abbot of Nalanda in India, who built the first monastery in Tibet. He was followed by Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava, who came to use his wisdom and power to overcome "spiritual" forces that were stopping work on the new monastery.
The Groups within Tibetan Buddhism
1) Nyingmapa: Founded by Guru Rinpoche, Padmasambhava, this is oldest sect, noted in the West for the teachings of the Tibetan Book of the Dead.

2) Kagyupa: Founded by Tilopa (988-1069), the Kagyupa tradition is headed by the Karmapa Lama. Important Kagyupa teachers include Naropa, Marpa, and Milarepa.

3) Sakyapa: Created by Gonchok Gyelpo (1034-1102) and his son Gunga Nyingpo (1092-1158).

4) Gelugpa: (The Virtuous School) Founded by Tsong Khapa Lobsang Drakpa (also called Je Rinpoche) (1357 - 1419), this tradition is headed by the Dalai Lama.

In addition, Tibetan is widespread as a liturgical language throughout the Tibetan Buddhist cultural area. Tibetan culture and language are today under strong pressure. Tibet has today the status of an autonomous region (TAR) in the People’s Republic of China. The number of Tibetans living in China is disputed. According to official Chinese statistics, the number is between 4 to 5 million, and under half of these live in the TAR, while the rest are found in other Chinese provinces.

Somewhat more than 100,000 Tibetans live in South Asia, primarily in India, and in the West. According to the Tibetan Government in Exile, the total number of Tibetans is approximately 5 - 6 million. Tibetan Buddhism is a strong and living religious tradition in Tibetan areas in China and parts of neighboring countries. 
Together with Zen Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism is the Buddhist movement which has spread more widely in the West.  Buddhism came to Tibet in the 7th century A.D., first and foremost from India. It assimilated local religious traditions and became what we call Tibetan Buddhism. The Tibetans adopted an Indian alphabet in order to translate Buddhist texts and for practical purposes in the country's administration, and is still used today.

Buddhism was transmitted into Tibet mainly during the 7th to 10th centuries. Notable early teachers were the illustrious 8th-century Tantric master Padmasambhava and the more orthodox Mahayana teacher Shantirakshita. With the arrival from India in 1042 of the great teacher Atisha, a reform movement was initiated, and within a century the major sects of Tibetan Buddhism had emerged. 
The Dge-lugs-pa, or One of the Virtuous System, commonly known as the Yellow Hats ( The Gelupa lineage ) the order of the Dalai and the Panchen Lamas, was the politically predominant Tibetan sect from the 17th century until 1959, when the hierocratic government of the Dalai Lama was abolished by the People’s Republic of China.

Much of the Buddhist literature that was lost in India exists today in Tibetan translations, and Tibetan is therefore one of the important languages in the study of Buddhism. Since the 11th century, Tibetans have also composed their own Buddhist literature, which consists of historical, biographical and liturgical texts, commentaries, meditational texts, poetry, grammar and philosophy and, since the twentieth century, also secular literature, which comprises poetry, novels and short stories. 
In the second half of the 20th century Tibetan Buddhism spread to the West, particularly after the subjugation of Tibet to Chinese Communist rule sent many refugees, including highly regarded “reincarnated lamas,” or tulkus, out of their homeland. Tibetan religious groups in the West include both communities of refugees and those consisting largely of Westerners drawn to the Tibetan tradition.

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
For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen
May it arise and not decrease
But increase further and further.

Dedication of Merit
By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.
Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.
May we liberate migratory 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.

Thursday, April 13, 2017

The Two Accumulations – Merit and wisdom

Merit is to be accumulated.
Evil is to be abandoned.

Merit and wisdom in Sanskrit are known as “Punya and “Jnana” . 
In Tibetan  known as “Sonam” and  “Yeshi”.  
In Chinese is “功德” and “智慧”

1 ) Merit
Is a concept considered fundamental to Buddhist ethics. It is a beneficial and protective force which accumulates as a result of good deeds, acts, or thoughts. Merit-making is important in Buddhist practice: merit brings good and agreeable results, determines the quality of the next life and contributes to a person's growth towards enlightenment. In addition, merit is also shared with a deceased loved one, in order to help the deceased in their new existence. 

Merit is a force that results from good deeds done; it is capable of attracting good circumstances in a person's life, as well as improving the person's mind and inner well-being. Moreover, it affects the next lives to come, as well as the destination a person is reborn.
Merit can be gained in a number of ways, such as giving, virtue and mental development. There are many forms of merit-making described in ancient Buddhist texts. The most fruitful form of merit-making is those good deeds done with regard to the Triple Gem, that is, the Buddha, his teachings, the Dhamma and the Sangha. 

Merit has become part of rituals, daily and weekly practice, and festivals. In addition, there is a widespread custom of transferring merit to one's deceased relatives. Merit is a "beneficial and protective force which extends over a long period of time and is the effect of Karma done through physical action, words, or thought.

The way meritorious works, is that acts of merit bring good and agreeable results, whereas demeritorious acts bring bad and disagreeable results. A mixture of the two generates mixed results in a person's life. This explains why people are different and lead different lives in many ways.
Karma is self-regulatory and is the cause and effects of positive and negative actions. In today's world we called it the Law of the Universe: it operates without divine intervention and human intention is fundamental to it.

Internally, merit makes the mind happy and virtuous. Externally, present good circumstances, such as a long life, health and wealth, as well as the character and abilities someone is born with, arise from merits done in the past and vice versa, with demerits.

The merits and demerits a person has done may take a while to bear fruit. This is how most often people arguing that ones had done many good deeds, yet still facing many harsh ship or unpleasant incidents or bad things happens to them. Likewise, those who has done bad karma , yet he or she is still having a very happy and luxurious life.

Merit or demerit may cause a good or bad future respectively, including in the next lives to come. A bad destination after rebirth may be caused by demerit, but merely a lack of merit may also lead a person to be born in an unhappy destination.

When someone is reborn in a happy destination, however, one can only stay there as long as merits last. Thus, it is stated in the Buddhist scriptures that people cannot take anything with them when they die, except for whatever merit and demerit they have done, which will affect their future. 

Merit can be accumulated in different quantities, and stored up, but also has an impermanent character: it can run out. 
How to generate merits?
Merit is not only a concept, but also a way of living. Three bases of merit :-
1) Generosity or giving 
2) Virtue - The defined by the three factors of the Eightfold Path:-
Right Speech,  Right Action ,  Right Livelihood.
3) Mental development / Samadhi – Meditation

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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
For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen
May it arise and not decrease
But increase further and further.

Dedication of Merit
By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.
Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.
May we liberate migratory 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.

Thursday, March 2, 2017

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva 南無大願地藏王菩薩

“If the Hell is not empty, I shall not attain Buddhahood”
The Great Vow of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is known for his vow to take responsibility for the instruction of all beings in the six worlds between the enlightenment of Shakyamuni Buddha and the incoming of Maitreya the next future Buddha,

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva in Tibetan word is "Sa Yi Nyingpo". In Sanskrit name is "Ksitigarbha". In Chinese name is "地藏王菩薩" with his great vow- “If the Hell is not empty, I shall not attain Buddhahood”. Having vowed not to achieve Buddhahood until all hells are emptied, his activity focuses more particularly on helping those who suffer in the hell realms.
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva has received great respect and trust from all since long ago. Not only did he point out to us a road to achieving Buddhahood, but he also lighted up for us a hope in Dharma. For these reasons, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is known as “The King of Great Vows”. 

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is one of the most wonderful dimensions of the Mahayana Tradition of Buddhist practice and teaching are the different manifestations of Buddha’s Qualities of compassion and wisdom. These emanate as different Buddha deities. The form, appearance, costumes, mudras, implements and jewellery of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva differ quite considerably under Mahayana & Tibetan Buddhism. 
Manifestation in Mahayana Buddhism 
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is typically depicted with a shaven head, dressed in a monk's simple robes (unlike most other bodhisattvas, who are dressed like Indian royalty). In his left hand, Ksitigarbha holds a cintamani; in his right hand, he holds a staff "錫杖" , which is used to alert insects and small animals of his approach, so that he will not accidentally harm them. He is often depicted as white in color, holding a staff in his right hand and a jewel that symbolizes wisdom in his left hand.
Manifestation in Tibetan Buddhism
Ksitigarbha is shown wearing a crown depicting the Five Dhyani Buddhas as worn by Tibetan and in Tantric rituals.

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is revered as the protector of stillborn, miscarried and aborted babies. He is the protective deity of travelers and guardian of pregnant women. He protects against earthquakes; he prolongs life and is a guardian of children.
The practice and prayers 
His mantra in Mahayana is “南無大願地藏王菩薩”
His mantra in Sanskrit is “oṃ ha ha ha vismaye svāhā”

I prostate, go for Refuge, make offerings, please grant blessings. The Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha, who has unbearable compassion for me and all sentient beings (whose minds are obscure and who are suffering), who has qualities like the sky and liberates sentient beings from all the sufferings and gives all the happiness. (Recite three times.)
Five Reasons for Being Born into Poverty according to the Sutra of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva:-
  1. The first of these is arrogance, particularly toward one’s parents.
  2. The second is obstinacy, that is, refusing to listen to teachers and elders.
  3. The third is lack of diligence in honoring the Triple Gem.
  4. The fourth is thievery.
  5. The fifth reason for being born into poverty is accumulation of unpaid debts. Although money is false and empty, it cannot be used casually and wasted. To borrow money and not repay it, thinking that you have no obligation because money is of no true importance, will lead to rebirth as a servile and poor person.

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
For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen
May it arise and not decrease
But increase further and further.

Dedication of Merit
By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.
Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.
May we liberate migratory 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 pictures.
Pictures courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and or studios.
Pictures are intended for editorial use only.