A journey to a mysterious Himalaya snow land and it's unique Vajrayana Buddhism and the threatening culture.
Sunday, December 15, 2024
The Compassionate Arya White Tara
The Luminous One - Buddha Vairocana
Vairocana is often seen as the Dharmakaya, or supreme Buddha-body, of the historical Buddha, Gautama.
Vairocana is also the embodiment of wisdom and purity and the Buddhist concept of emptiness (sunyata).
Vairocana is often depicted in the Dharmachakra mudra, where the thumbs and index fingers of both hands touch to form a circle.Vairocana is a cosmic Buddha in Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism and an important figure in Buddhism in East Asia, Tibet, Nepal, and Java:
- MeaningVairocana is also known as the Luminous One, the Great Universal Light, and the Illuminator.
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RoleVairocana is the original of the five Transcendent Buddhas of Vajrayana Buddhism. He is considered the primordial Buddha and is thought to reside at the center of Buddhist cosmology.
- Vairocana is often interpreted as the dharmakāya of the historical Gautama Buddha. In East Asian Buddhism, Vairocana is also seen as the embodiment of the Buddhist concept of śūnyatā.
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SignificanceVairocana's portrayal inspires people to rise above the ordinary and connect with the cosmic forces that permeate the cosmos.
Buddha Vairocana is a radiant symbol of enlightenment, wisdom, and universal compassion. Vairocana Buddha is a well-known and iconic figure in the Mahayana school of Buddhism, particularly in the Vajrayana and kindred esoteric traditions.
Who is Virochana in Buddhism?In Tibetan Buddhism, Vairocana Buddha is known as Namnang or Nampar nangdze. He is a central figure in Buddhism, representing the essence of Dharma realm meditation mudra and the profound wisdom of Sunyata.
What is the symbol of the Vairocana Buddha?
What is the meaning of the Buddha Vairocana mantra?
The translation of this mantra is Praise be to the unfailing, all-pervasive illumination of the great mudra (or seal of the Buddha), the jewel, the lotus, and the radiant.
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Vajrayana features countless skillful and powerful methods that, if practised in the proper way, can make the process of accumulation and purification incredibly swift and direct.
It is absolutely necessary to have pure motivation and to know that Vajrayana practise is not carried out to increase one’s own ego, power, or self-interest.
Thank you for reading. May you find peace and great bliss. With your support, it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turn the Dharma wheels in the world.
For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen
May it arise and not decrease.
But increase further and further.
By this merit, may we then obtain omniscience then.
Having defeated the enemies wrongdoings
May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.
With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness, and death.
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distributors and/or studios
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Friday, November 22, 2024
What is Amitabha Buddha's Dewachen?
What's Dewachen?
Dewachen is the blissful Buddha field of Amitabha, one of the Buddha fields of the five families, said to be located in the western direction.
In Sukhavati, sentient beings experience neither physical pain nor mental suffering, and the causes for their happiness are limitless.
Dewachen, also known as Sukhavati, is a pure land in Buddhism that is said to be a paradise of bliss. It is the western pure land of the Buddha Amitabha, where beings can be reborn based on their faith and aspirations.
In Dewachen, practitioners can continue their dharma practice and awaken to enlightenment.Some causes of rebirth in Dewachen include generating bodhichitta, accumulating merit, repeatedly bringing the Buddha field to mind, and dedicating all one's sources of merit as causes for rebirth.
In Chinese translation, the land of Sukhavati is known as a pure land (淨土).Sukhavati, or Dewachen, is the western pure land of the Buddha Amitabha. This land is said to be a paradise of bliss, where beings can be reborn based on their faith and aspirations.
This pure land offers practitioners the opportunity to continue their Dharma practice and awaken to full enlightenment.
Dewachen is the blissful realm/Buddha field. Blissful Realm, Sukhavati. The pure land of Buddha Amitabha in which a practitioner can take rebirth during the bardo of becoming through a combination of pure faith, sufficient merit, and one-pointed determination.One of the main reasons Sukhavati became the most popular pure land is that it is said to be the easiest for practitioners to be reborn in.
Unlike many other pure lands, which require achievement of at least the first bhumi rebirth in Sukhavati, this can be attained by ordinary beings, solely through their faith in Amitabha and their heartfelt wish to be reborn in his pure land.
Here are some other details about Sukhavati:Blissful
The word Sukhavati comes from the feminine of sukhavat, which means "blissful.".
World of Ultimate Bliss
Sukhavati is also known as the World of Ultimate Bliss because its bliss is said to be incomparable to the happiness of human and god realms. Pure Land sutras
The Pure Land sutras describe Sukhavati as a joyous world filled with music and the sound of trees adorned with jewels and bells. Rebirth
The newly dead are said to enter into lotus buds, which unfold when they have attained. Many are said to be reborn on Earth to become Buddhas.
What does Sukhavati look like?Sukhavati is expressively described in the Pure Land sutras as being a joyous world, soft and glowing, filled with the music of birds and the tinkling of trees adorned with precious jewels and garlands of golden bells.
What is the ceremony of Sukhavati?
The Sukhavati ceremony is performed for the benefit of helping the deceased transition through the Bardo by lessening suffering, fear, and loss and offering focus and clarity.
How to be reborn in Sukhavati?
The four causes of rebirth in Sukhavati are:
1) Generating Bodhichitta.
2) Accumulating merit in many ways.
3) Repeatedly bringing the Buddha field to mind.
4) Dedicating all one's sources of merit as causes for rebirth in that pure realm.
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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 turn the Dharma wheels in the world.
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 then obtain omniscience then.
Having defeated the enemies wrongdoing. May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.
With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness, and death.
*Note.
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Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and/or studios
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Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Amitabha Buddha is The Principal Buddha of Western Pure Land
The Sanskrit word Amitabha means "infinite light" or "immeasurable light." It is made up of the words amita meaning "infinite" and ābhā meaning "light.
In Buddhism, Amitabha is a Bodhisattva who rules over a pure land in the west of the universe. He is also known as Amida Buddha in Japanese. The Chinese pronunciation for Amitabha is "阿弥陀佛"
Amitabha is often depicted seated, wearing a monk's robe, with his hair in hundreds of curls and a cranial bulge at the top.The name Amitayus is also used for the Sambhogakaya aspect of Amitabha, which is associated with longevity. In Tibetan Buddhism, Amitayus is one of the three deities of long life.
Amitabha is associated with the Diamond Realm (vajradhatu), whereas Amitayus is associated with the Womb Realm (garbhakosadhatu).
What does Om Ah Hum Hrih mean?Therefore, by reciting “Om Ah Hum," you receive the blessings of all Buddhas. “Hrih” is the core seed syllable of the Three Root magnetizing deities of the Lotus Family and represents the natural radiance of the wisdom of discernment.
Om Ami Deva Hrih” is the heart mantra of Amitabha Buddha, a Sutra mantra taught by Buddha.
The mantra “Om Ami Deva Hrih” is said to have many benefits, including:Liberation from deluded thoughts
The mantra is said to help free the practitioner from thoughts and beliefs that are not serving them.
Protection
The mantra is said to provide protection from evil spirits, heavenly gods, and 25 great Bodhisattvas. It is also said to protect the practitioner from accidents, fire, floods, and weapons.
Rebirth in Amitabha's Pure Land
The mantra is said to help the practitioner be reborn in Amitabha's Pure Land, ending the cycle of birth and death.
Clarity of goals
The mantra is said to help the practitioner clear mental clutter and gain clarity on their life goals.
Purification of the six worlds
The mantra is said to purify the six worlds: the deva realm, asura realm, human, animal, hungry ghost, and hell realms.
Empowerment of the six perfections
The mantra is said to empower the six perfections, which are the perfection of generosity, the perfection of ethics, the perfection of patience, the perfection of joyful effort, the perfection of concentration, and the perfection of Wisdom.
Vajrayana BuddhismAmitabha is also known in Tibet, Mongolia, Nepal, India, and other regions where Tibetan Buddhism is practiced.
In the Highest Yogatantra of Tibetan Buddhism, Amitabha is considered one of the Five Dhyani Buddhas, also known as the Five Tathagatas together with Akshobhya, Amoghasiddhi, Ratnasambhava, and Vairocana.
Amitabha is associated with the western direction and the skandha of saṃjna, the aggregate of perception, or distinguishing, and the deep awareness of individuality.In Tibetan Buddhism, there exist a number of famous prayers for taking rebirth in Sukhāvatī (Dewachen).
One of these was written by Je Tsongkhapa on the request of Manjushri. Amitabha is primarily invoked in Tibet during the phowa practices, or invoked as Amitayus—especially in practices relating to longevity and preventing an untimely death.
Do you 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 2008, we have been effortlessly providing free distribution of Dharma posts and articles throughout the previous 16 years.
We have exceptionally constrained support and do not receive subsidies or funding from people in general.
Please help us develop our Dharma activities that will not only benefit you but all Dharma readers on the planet. Please consider showing your support. Your generosity will certainly help us enhance our work and accomplish more for a better and brighter future.
Thank you for reading. May you find peace and great bliss. With your support, it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turn the Dharma wheels in the world.
For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen, may it arise and not decrease. But increase further and further.
By this merit, may we then obtain omniscience then.
Having defeated the enemies wrongdoing. 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 on the picture(s).
Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and/or studios
The picture(s) are intended for editorial use only.
Friday, November 15, 2024
The Six Arms White Mahakala - Wealth And Prosperity
Who are Mahakalas? What are the forms?
Mahakala emanates from Avalokiteshvara—to remove all our obstacles to practice—and may appear in different forms and colors that symbolize his functions. The most famous of these is six-armed black Mahakala, the ferocious remover of obstacles to our practice.
There are also two-armed and four-armed forms in different meditation lineages. Most Mahakalas are enlightened protectors, and most, but not all, emanate from Chenrezig.The white six-armed form of Mahakala is famous for removing obstacles to our practice involving lack of support, resources, or prosperity, which limit our ability to help other beings. He is the Mahakala who relieves poverty and brings us prosperity.
White Mahakala brings prosperity and wealth.Does it seem counterintuitive that Buddhist practices include “good fortune” practices—especially when Buddha taught renunciation?
Does it seem selfish to ask for enlightened help with our obstacles, such as poverty, stress, or resources? It shouldn’t. Imagine if fully renounced monks are starving, unable to find a bowl of rice.
How can they meditate? How can they practice Bodhichitta when they can’t even find food for themselves? And how can the lay community support the monks when they can’t feed themselves?
White Mahakala is also known as Shadbhuja Sita Mahakala. He is called gon po kar po chag drug pa in Tibetan and the White Lord with Six Hands in English.White Mahakala, a wealth deity of the Kriya class of Tantra, satisfies the economic needs of Tantric Buddhists.
Homage to Lord Chintamani, Holy Avalokiteshvara, the gathered compassion of all Buddhas of the ten directions and three times; to that emanation, the Six-Handed Protector, devotedly with the body, speech, and mind, I bow.”
The white Mahakala is more unusual than the customary black form. He is especially popular in Mongolia as the main protector deity of Mongolia, given such distinction by the third Dalai Lama.The teachings of the White Mahakala were brought to Tibet in the eleventh century by Khedrup Khyungpopa, who also brought the teachings of the Six-armed Black Mahakala.
Performing the White Mahakala ritual is supposed to bring endless wealth to the needy practitioner in such things as a family, material goods, food, power, knowledge, and spirituality.
The lineage of White Mahakala: Vajradhara, Jnana Dakini, Shri Shavaripa, Lord Maitripa, Mahasiddha Rahulagupta, Khedrup Khyungpo Naljor, Nyam Med Rinchen Tsondru, Bonton Kyergangpa, etc.
Do you 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 2008, we have been effortlessly providing free distribution of Dharma posts and articles throughout the previous 16 years.
We have exceptionally constrained support and do not receive subsidies or funding from people in general.
Please help us develop our Dharma activities that will not only benefit you but all Dharma readers on the planet. Please consider showing your support. Your generosity will certainly help us enhance our work and accomplish more for a better and brighter future.
Thank you for reading. May you find peace and great bliss. With your support, it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turn the Dharma wheels in the world.
Having defeated the enemies wrongdoing. 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 on the picture(s).
Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and/or studios
The picture(s) are intended for editorial use only.
Monday, November 4, 2024
Mahakala is a fierce Dharma protector of Vajrayana Buddhism
The six-armed Mahakala is a fierce protector and guardian of the Dharma. He is a manifestation of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of compassion, and is a key figure in Tibetan Buddhism.
Mahakala's consort, Shakti, has one face and two arms. She wears a skull crown and many ornaments. Her right hand is behind Mahakala's neck, and her left hand holds a skull cup filled with demonic blood.
What is the meaning of six armed Mahakala?
Six-Armed Mahakala (Tibetan: Gon-po Chag-druk) A protector who is a wrathful manifestation of Avalokiteshvara, the Mahakala can be depicted in many forms. There are various aspects of Mahakala, the meditative practices associated with this protector being popular in all four traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.