The Eight Auspicious Symbols of Vajrayana - Lotus Flower

The Eight Auspicious Symbols are one of the most common, yet very popular in the Vajrayana Buddhism or  Tibetan Buddhism and culture for over thousands of years.

Eight Auspicious Symbols in the Sanskrit word is  "Ashtamangala". In the Tibetan language is known as "Tashee-tag-gyay" The Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism is a genre of Buddhist symbolism. The symbols derive from Indian iconography and have become especially popular in Tibetan Buddhism. 

The Eight Auspicious Symbols are traditionally offered to Lama, teachers during long life ceremonies and are used in various forms of ritual art. It is believed that each of the Tibetan symbols represents one aspect of the Buddha’s teachings and when appearing all together their powers are multiplied. 

In this fascinating study,the Eight Auspicious Symbols are as follows:-

1. Right-Coiled White Conch Shell

2. Precious Parasol 

3. Victory Banner 

4. Golden Fishes 

5. Dharma Wheel 

6. Endless Knot 

7. Lotus Flower 

8. Treasure Vase

These eight symbols of good fortune represent the offerings made by the Gods, and Brahma to Shakyamuni Buddha immediately after he attained enlightenment. 

What do the eight symbols of Buddhism mean?

In Buddhism, these eight symbols of good fortune represent the offerings made by the gods to Shakyamuni Buddha immediately.

7. Lotus Flower 

What Does the Lotus Flower Symbolise in Buddhism?

According to Buddhist legends, the lotus flower bloomed wherever the baby Buddha stepped. This is dialogued in the Lotus Sutra, part of the Buddhist publications taught for centuries. 

Buddhist schools teach that each stage of the lotus flower’s growth is significant to the path of enlightenment. It’s believed that when a lotus bud is fully opened, the person has been fully enlightened. When it’s partially open with the centre hidden, it means there is a possibility of enlightenment that is still beyond reach. When the bud is closed, it signifies the time before the person is enlightened.

The lotus flower symbolises the complete purification of the defilements of the body, speech, and mind and the full blossoming of wholesome deeds in blissful liberation. The treasure vase symbolises an endless rain of long life, wealth, and prosperity, as well as all the benefits of this world and liberation.

The lotus flower (Sanskrit: padma; Tibetan: pema) represents the primordial purity of body, speech, and mind, floating above the muddy waters of attachment and desire. The lotus symbolises purity and renunciation. Although the lotus has its roots in the mud at the bottom of a pond, its flower lies immaculately above the water. The Buddhist lotus bloom has 4, 8, 16, 24, 32, 64, 100, or 1,000 petals. The same figures can refer to the body's 'internal lotuses', that is to say, its energy centres (chakras).

The lotus flower in the eight auspicious symbols represents the Buddha’s tongue.As the lotus is an absolute symbol of purity for the dirt of its surroundings, Buddha's speech is free of flaws and endowed with eloquence and other good qualities that relish the profound taste of Dharma.

As lotus seeds grow from the water and not from the soil, they symbolise divine and spontaneous generation. The lotus symbolises the purity and immaculate existence of Buddha. As its muddy surroundings do not stain the lotus yet, it thrives in them. The Buddha thrives in this unperfect world.

The lotus seat, or throne, on which most deities sit also symbolises their innate purity.They are born into a cyclic existence. But they are entirely free from defilement, emotional hindrance, and obscurations.

The lotus flower symbolises purity and enlightenment. In nature, the lotus rises above the mud and blooms in beauty and purity. It represents the true nature of living beings who rise above the world of desire into the beauty and clarity of Buddhahood. The colour of the lotus represents one’s spiritual attainment.

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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 14 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.

 

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 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.

 

*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.

No.7 Emanation of Taras - Zhengyi Mitubma (7/21)

Photo Credit: Alan Kozlowski

Praises to the Twenty-One Tara is a traditional prayer in Tibetan Buddhism to the female Bodhisattva Tara. (Tibetan called Drolma) also known as Arya Tara or Jetsun Dolma. The prayer is found in all four traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.  Each of the twenty-one emanations of Tara has her own name, and a specific mantra with which she is associated, offering protection from various types of fears, harm, and calamities.

Tara has Twenty-One ultimate emanations according to the mantra of the Buddha Samantabhadra called “Twenty-One Praises of Tara”. Twenty-One Tara with 21 specific colors serves with a specific function. There are different styles and designs of tangka paintings that represent the Twenty-One manifestations of Tara based on distinct lineages and practices, in which forms, colors, ritual objects and even names or functions can vary.

Homage To The No. 7 Taras - Zhengyi Mitubma 

OM TARE TUTTARE TURE VAJRA TAKA HANA LITSA PHAT SVAHA

Unconquerable Fierce Lady Who Dispels Wars and Natural Disasters

Zhengyi Mitubma is the seventh Tara and known as Zhengyi Mitumba. She is dark blue in color. Her name means “unconquerable, cannot be defeated by others.” She destroys all negativities. She is wrathful and eliminates wars, invading troops, and weapons of mass destruction. She destroys the evil deeds, spells of enemies, hailstorm, lightning, and all kinds of natural disasters.

Zhengyi Mitubma  is wrathful and black, like dense storm clouds. By the ripping sound of the wrathful seed syllable TRET and the splitting sound of PHAT, she completely destroys the spells of enemies, evil deeds, hail, lightning, natural disasters, invading troops, and weapons of mass destruction. Upon her utpala flower is a sword blazing with fire. She is ablaze with masses of wisdom fire. From her compassionate furrowed brow flies meteors and sparks.

OM jetsun ma phag ma drol ma la chhag tshal lo

Om Homage to the noble lady Tara

Chhag tshal TRAD che ja dang PHAT kyi

Homage to you, Tara, whose TRAT and PHAT

Pha rol thrul khor rab tu jom ma

Destroy entirely the magical wheels of others

Ya kum yon kyang zhab kyi nan te

With your right leg bent and left outstretched and pressing,

Me bar thrug pa shin tu bar ma

You burn intensely within a whirl of fire

Prayer of the Benefits

Whoever is endowed with devotion for the goddess and recites this with supreme faith, remembering it at dawn upon waking and in the evenings, will be granted all fearlessness, will perfectly pacify all negativities, and will eliminate all unfortunate migrations.

The multitudes of conquerors will quickly grant initiation: Thus, endowed with this greatness, one will eventually reach the state of a Buddha. If affected by the most terrible poison, whether ingested, drunk, or from a living being, just by remembering will one be thoroughly cleansed.

If this prayer is recited two, three, or seven times, It will pacify all the sufferings of torments caused by spirits, fevers, and poisons, and by other beings as well. If you wish for a child, you will get a child; if you wish for wealth, you will receive wealth. All your wishes will be fulfilled and all obstacles pacified.

For Arya White Tara the long life prayer, please subscribe, like, share to support my YouTube channels at :

https://youtu.be/vqIJZPpJE9Q

Dana (Donations for our Buddhist research and development) 

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 13 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

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.

No.6 Emanation of Taras - Jigje Chenmo (6/21)

Photo credit : Alan Kozlowski

Praises to the Twenty-One Tara is a traditional prayer in Tibetan Buddhism to the female Bodhisattva Tara. (Tibetan called Drolma) also known as Arya Tara or Jetsun Dolma. The prayer is found in all four traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.  Each of the twenty-one emanations of Tara has her own name, and a specific mantra with which she is associated, offering protection from various types of fears, harm, and calamities.

Tara has Twenty-One ultimate emanations according to the mantra of the Buddha Samantabhadra called “Twenty-One Praises of Tara”. Twenty-One Tara with 21 specific colors serves with a specific function. There are different styles and designs of tangka paintings that represent the Twenty-One manifestations of Tara based on distinct lineages and practices, in which forms, colors, ritual objects and even names or functions can vary.

Homage To The No. 6 Taras - Jigje Chenmo 

OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SARVA BIGHNEN BAM HUNG PHAT SVAHA

Great Terrifying Lady Who Completely Destroys Negativity

The name of sixth Tara is Jigje Chenmo. She is dark red in color. Jigje means “fierce, frightening” and Chenmo means “Great One”, so this Tara is great, fierce Tara. She is renowned for protecting against any negative force we feel is disturbing us, whether it is due to invisible beings and negativities or visible obstacles.

Jigje Chenmo she is worshipped and praised by all, and her power subdues all negative forces. Upon her utpala flower is an indestructible phurba, a ritual dagger that subdues negativity, surrounded by blazing lassoes of flames and sparks. This turbulent fire and its natural sound, HUNG, split the heads of demons and obstructing spirits who cause delusion, insanity, and memory loss, rendering them unconscious in the state of suchness, never to rise again.

Om jetsun ma phag ma drol ma la chhag tshal lo

OM Homage to the noble lady Tara

Chhag tshal gya jin me lha tshang pa

Homage to you adored by Agni, Brahma, 

Jung lha na tshog wang chhug chho ma

Vayu, and Ishvara

Jung po ro lang dri za nam dang

And praised by the assembly of spirits, raised corpses,

Nojin tshog kyi dun na to ma

Gandharvas, and all yakshas.

Prayer of the Benefits

Whoever is endowed with devotion for the goddess and recites this with supreme faith, remembering it at dawn upon waking and in the evenings, will be granted all fearlessness, will perfectly pacify all negativities, and will eliminate all unfortunate migrations.

The multitudes of conquerors will quickly grant initiation: Thus, endowed with this greatness, one will eventually reach the state of a Buddha. If affected by the most terrible poison, whether ingested, drunk, or from a living being, just by remembering will one be thoroughly cleansed.

If this prayer is recited two, three, or seven times, It will pacify all the sufferings of torments caused by spirits, fevers, and poisons, and by other beings as well. If you wish for a child, you will get a child; if you wish for wealth, you will receive wealth. All your wishes will be fulfilled and all obstacles pacified.

Dana (Donations for our Buddhist research and development) 

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 13 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

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.

Twenty-one Emanations of Taras

Praises to the Twenty-One Taras is a traditional prayer in Tibetan Buddhism to the female Bodhisattva Tara (also known as Arya Tara, or Jetsun Dolma) 

The prayer is found in all four traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Each of the twenty-one emanations of Tara has her own name, and a specific mantra with which she is associated, offering protection from various types of fears, harm, and calamities.

The iconographical traditions

The various authors of the commentary tradition often placed a special emphasis on the iconography of each of the 21 forms of Tara, describing her colour, seat, posture, number of faces and arms, implements and hand gesture. The iconographical descriptions in the commentaries may not always correspond to the description of the Taras in the Praises to the 21 Taras. There are three main iconographic traditions that formed in Tibet.

Suryagupta Tradition

Depicting the 21 Taras as differing in all details such as posture, number of heads and hands, colour, implements and hand gestures.

Nagarjuna and Atisha’s tradition

In which the 21 Taras are rarely distinguished except by colour, peaceful or wrathful expression, and the colour of the vessel that each holds in the left hand.

The Nyingma Terma tradition of Jigme Lingpa and Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa

Depicting them as in Nagarjuna and Atisha’s tradition, but of different colours and holding individual emblems on top of the lotus in the left hand, rather than vessels. Jikme Lingpa’s and Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa’s tradition differ only slightly from each other.

The individual of the Twenty-one Emanations of Tara based on Nyingma Terma traditions:

1. Tara, who is swift and courageous for development of Bodhichitta
2. Tara, who is melodious for knowledge and wisdom (i.e. Sarasvati)
3. Tara, who grants supreme merit for the force of merit
4. Tara, who is completely victorious for long life (i.e. Ushnishavijaya)
5. Tara, Kurukulla for magnetising people and wealth
6. Tara, who causes terror for destroying the power of harmful influences (i.e. Vajravidarana)
7. Tara, who is invincible for protection from hailstorms and lightning
8. Tara, triumphant over others for repelling blame
   
9. Tara of the Khadira Forest for protection from the eight great fears. (She is the main Tara, green in colour)
10. Tara, who conquers the three worlds to have power over the world
11. Tara, who bestows wealth for dispelling poverty and granting good fortune
12. Tara, who brings auspiciousness for the auspiciousness of children, fame, rain and so on
13. Tara, who destroys the power of enemies for victory in war
14. Tara, furrowing Brow for protection from spirits
15. Tara, who is perfect peace  for purifying harmful actions
16. Tara, who is ablaze with light for dispelling spells and negative effects
17. Tara of limitless subjugation for protection from robbers, thieves, animals and hunters
18. Tara, majestic as the Great Peahen to protect from and neutralize poison
19. Tara, who is unconquerable and victorious for protection from quarrels and bad dreams (i.e. Sitatapatra)
20. Tara, Dweller in the mountains for protection from epidemics
21. Tara, ‘Rays of Light for restoring the spirits and energies of sick people (i.e. Marichi)

Dana (Donations for our Buddhist research and development) 

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 13 years.  We have exceptionally constrained supports and do not receive subsidized or *funding from people in general. (* Total public donations from 2008 to 2021 October was about US$ 40.00)

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

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.

White Tara Long Life Prayer And Blessings

White Tara long life Mantra

Om Tare Tuttare Ture Mama Ayuh Punya Jnana Pustim Kuru Svaha.

• Om - Representing the union of mind, body, and spirit that is at the heart of yoga. 
• Tare – This syllable shows that Mother Tara liberates sentient beings from samsara.
• Tuttare – Liberates you from the eight fears related to the external dangers. However, the main dangers come from attachment, ignorance, anger, pride, miserliness, jealousy, doubt and wrong views.
• Ture – This syllable liberates you from the disease.
• Mama - Mine, means that I would like to possess the following qualities.
• Ayuh - Long life
• Punya  - Merit that comes form living life ethically. 
• Jnana - Wisdom 
• Pustim - Abundance” or ”an increase in wealth.
• Kuru - Do so! do it now!
• Svaha - Hail, or may blessings be upon 

This is a beautiful layered mantra calling on White Tara for her Divine Love, compassion, wisdom and protection.The White Tara (Sanskrit: Sitatara; Tibetan: Sgrol-dkar) She symbolizes purity and is often represented standing at the right hand of her consort, Avalokiteshvara, or seated with legs crossed, holding a full-blown lotus. She is generally shown with a third eye.

Tara, Tibetan Sgrol-MA, Buddhist saviour-goddess with numerous forms, widely popular in Nepal, Tibet, and Mongolia. She is the feminine counterpart of the Bodhisattva (“Buddha-to-be”) Avalokiteshvara. According to popular belief, she came into existence from a tear of Avalokiteshvara, which fell to the ground and formed a lake.

Out of its waters rose up a lotus, which, on opening, revealed the goddess. Like Avalokiteshvara, she is a compassionate, succoring deity who helps men “cross to the other shore.” She is the protectress of navigation and earthly travel, as well as of spiritual travel along the path to enlightenment.

White Tara is the female Bodhisattva of compassionate activity, the supreme mother and collective manifestation of the enlightened activity of all the Buddhas. She is said to see all suffering and respond to requests for help. Her yogic method promotes health and extending one's lifespan.

White Tara is a Bodhisattva (one who has pledged to put the suffering of others before her own release from suffering) who encompasses the characteristics of all Buddha’s past, present, and future.White Tara is known by Tibetan Buddhists as The Swift Protectress because Tara acts quickly to protect the mind from the delusions and snares of Samsara. She is also known as Samaya Tara, translating as ”Vow Tara.”

You can watch and listen to our  White Tara on Youtube channel now

This refers to Tara’s vow to save all sentient beings. Occasionally, White Tara is called “the Mother of all Buddhas”, because She represents the perfect embodiment of graceful power, purity, and wisdom. The main characteristic of Arya Tara is that she is a Buddha who in ancient times promised to always be born in the pure form of a female body in order to help sentient beings reach enlightenment.

She is linked with the Padma family of Buddha Amitabha, who in graphical representations appears in the form of Amitayus and sits in Her headdress, or above Her head. Additionally, just as white is considered to be the supreme color in many mystic traditions, so is White Tara considered the most powerful of all Taras because it embodies them all.

She became a very popular Vajrayana deity with the rise of Tantra in 8th century Palau and, with the movement of Indian Buddhism into Tibet through Padmasambhava, the worship and potent practices of Tara became incorporated into Tibetan Buddhism as well.

White Tara is seated in the more meditative diamond lotus position, with both legs folded under her, and her feet facing skyward. White Tara has 7 eyes — with an eye in her forehead, and one on each hand and foot — symbolizing her compassionate vigilance to see all the suffering of the world.

Her left hand is in the protective mudra and her right in the wish-granting mudra. In her left hand, she usually holds a stem of the Utpala lotus flower with three blossoms. One blossom is represented as a seed, a second as ready to bloom, and the third in full bloom. 

These represent the Buddhas of the past, future and the present. Often, a small image of Amitabha, a Buddha is known for longevity, is portrayed as seated in White Tara’s headdress or slightly above her head.

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 13 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

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.

The Three Jewels

“He who has gone for refuge to the Buddha, the Teaching and his Order, penetrates with transcendental wisdom the Four Noble Truths — suffering, the cause of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the Noble Eightfold Path leading to the cessation of suffering.  This indeed is the safe refuge, this the refuge supreme. Having gone to such a refuge, one is released from all suffering. ~ Dhammapada 190-192” 

The “Three Treasures” of the Buddhist tradition are the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. Throughout the Buddhist world, Buddhists have these Three Treasures in common. To be a Buddhist means taking refuge in the Three Treasures.

What do the 3 jewels represent in Buddhism?

The Three Jewels (also called the Triratna) are the three essential supporting components of Buddhism. They guide and give refuge (safety and comfort) to Buddhists.

Buddhists take refuge in three different expressions of awakened mind: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. Each of these is a precious and necessary element of the Buddhist path, and so they are called the three jewels. 

Buddha: The Teacher

This refers, first, to the historical Buddha, the original teacher. He was not a god but a human being like us, and his example shows us that we too can follow the path to enlightenment. More broadly, the Buddha principle refers to all teachers and enlightened beings who inspire and guide us.

Dharma: The Teachings

The Buddhist Dharma starts with the fundamental truths that the Buddha himself taught—the four noble truths, the three marks of existence, the eightfold path, etc.—and includes the vast body of Buddhist teachings that have been developed in the 2,600 years since then. It’s worth noting that the Sanskrit word Dharma also means a thing or object in the conventional sense. In either case, the word denotes a basic law or truth. of reality.

Sangha: The Community

The term Sangha has traditionally referred to monastics and arhats in whom lay practitioners take refuge. This has changed in the West, where Sangha has come to mean the community of Buddhist practitioners generally, both monastic and lay. Buddhists here also use the word to describe a specific community or group, and you will often hear people talk about “my Sangha,” meaning the Buddhist community to which they belong.

Why is the Buddha Jewel important?

Since Buddha is believed to have been the first man to truly understand wisdom and the way to enlightenment, this jewel also signifies the fulfillment of enlightenment. Therefore, when a Buddhist claims to take refuge in the Buddha, he's also saying that enlightenment, in itself, is his refuge.

This is our Youtube Buddhist channels: The Tibetan Refuge Prayers to the Three Jewels

How do I become Buddhist?

Anyone can become a Buddhist. You will need to in the Three Jewels or Triple Gem (and follow a ceremony during which you take a vow to uphold the Five Precepts (to not kill, not steal, not commit sexual misconduct, refrain from false speech and not take intoxicants that lessen your awareness).

What is the Buddhist refuge prayer?

I take refuge in the Buddha, the incomparably honoured one; I take refuge in the Dharma, honourable for its purity; I take refuge in the Sangha, honourable in its harmonious life.

What taking refuge is not

The idea of taking refuge can create some confusion initially, even misconceptions that run precisely opposite to the deeper meaning of this practice.Taking refuge does not mean handing responsibility over to some higher being. When we take refuge in the Buddha, we don’t think that Siddhartha Gautama is going to swoop in from heaven and solve all of our problems.

In fact, we are taking refuge in our own enlightened potential. This actually means accepting a much higher responsibility, since we recognize what we are capable of becoming and commit to reach nothing short of that. It is a reminder to seek our own greatest possibility. Taking refuge also does not mean that nothing that happens in your life matters, because you only care about the absolute.

On the contrary, when we understand the relationship between the ultimate reality and the conventional world, we realize that everything matters so much more.Finally, taking refuge does not mean we only care about some limited community of spiritual people, as if beings at a lower level of consciousness aren’t worth our attention.

It is actually a gesture towards recognizing a universal Sangha, the capacity of every single being to act as our greatest teacher – if we are only willing to listen to what they have to teach us.

How can taking refuge become a part of my life?

There are many ways to bring into your life this sense of surrender and trust in the ultimate  realiy, in the form of the Three Jewels. You can take refuge in the Three Jewels in a formal way as part of a ceremony, where you also commit to following the Five Lay Precepts: no killing, no stealing, no telling lies, no sensuous misconduct and no consuming intoxicants.This ritual, which must be led by a qualified teacher, is actually the way to become a Buddhist “officially.”

In your daily life, you can begin your meditations by invoking the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, feeling reverence and asking for the support of what they represent.And as you go about your life, take refuge in your higher wisdom as much as possible. Remember why you are here, what you are and what you can become.

Practicing Buddhism or meditation is for us to be serene and happy, understanding and loving. This way we work for the peace and happiness of our family and our society. If we look closely, the Three Gems are actually one. The other two gems always exist in each gem. In Buddha, there is Buddhahood, there is the Buddha body. Within, Buddha there is the Dharma body because without the Dharma body, he could not have become a Buddha. In the Buddha there is the Sangha body because he had breakfast with the Bodhi tree, with the other trees, and birds and the environment.

Without you, the Dharma cannot be practiced. It has to be practiced by someone. Without each of you, the Sangha cannot be. That is why when we say, “I take refuge in the Buddha,” we also hear, “The Buddha takes refuge in me.” “I take refuge in the Dharma. The Dharma takes refuge in me. I take refuge in the Sangha. The Sangha takes refuge in me.”

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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.

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