The Living Journal - Living Great

The Living Journal - Living Great

We may have seen better days,

But we may have also seen much worse,

We do not have anything that we want,

But we do have what we need,

Sometimes we have some aches and pains and sorrows, depression, sadness,

When I woke up every day, I knew my life is not perfect, 

But then again, I can feel the breeze of the  wind, moisture of the fresh air and sunshine,

So,  I knew I am blessed.....

Thank you for reading and may you find peace and great bliss. With you support it helps spread and turning the Dharma in the world.

*Note
I do not own and infringe copyright any of these photos. Photos courtesy and credits to the origins of the ownership.

The Living Journal - Tibetan Prayer Flags

The Tibetan word for prayer flag is called 'Lungta' literally means, "Wind Horse". When wind blows the sacred prayer flag flaps in the breeze. The prayers contained on the flags are carried by the wind as a blessing. By viewing the flags, you are reminded to pray for the welfare of people, and to be mindful of the motivation to be kind, compassionate, and joyful throughout the day. 

When we see a prayer flags, whether it is motionless or it is flying in the breeze, we are always to be reminded of the call to say a prayer or recite any mantra or particularly the mantra of OM Mani Padme Hung. It is known as the compassionate universal mantra from Avalokistesvara or Cherenzig Bodhisattva.

It's to remind us for the welfare of all beings, to work to bring about virtue, goodness, healing and happiness in the world around us. Tibetan believe the prayers and mantras will be blown by the wind to spread the good will and living compassion into all pervading space. Therefore, prayer flags are thought to bring benefit to all beings.  

By hanging flags in high places, the "Wind Horse" will carry the blessing depicted on the flags to all beings. As wind passes over the surface of the flags which are sensitive to the slightest movement of the wind, the air is believed will purify and sanctify by the mantras itself.

This is the reasons why prayer flags are flown throughout the Himalayas and are often seen at holy sites, temples, monastery, holy caves, rooftop, mountain summits or any where the prayer flags may meet the wind. 

The flags are traditionally printed with auspicious symbols, mantras and prayers, which are blown by the wind and blessed by the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas for removing obstacles and be in goodwill, harmony, wisdom and protected from dangers and evils.

Life moves on and is replaced by new life, it's believed that we can renew our hopes for the world by continually mounting new flags alongside the old. The act symbolizes a welcoming of life changes and unacknowledgment that all beings are part of a greater ongoing cycle. 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. 

Thank you for reading , may you find peace and joyfulness. With your support it helps spread the Buddha's precious teaching 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 copyright any of these photos. 
Photos courtesy and credit to the rightful owners.

The Goddess of Literature, Poetry and Wisdom - Sarasvati 妙音天女

Who is the goddess Saraswati in Tibetan?

In Tibet, Sarasvati is known as Yangchen Lhamo or Yangchenma, the goddess of literature, poetry, and wisdom. Her Tibetan name became popular in different regions where Tibetan Buddhism spread, including Russia. The Buryat people pronounce her Tibetan name as Yanzhima, and this is how she became popular in the region.

Sarasvati (Tibetan: Yanzhima) is the goddess of knowledge, education, music, poetry, and culture. Her name can be found in the Vedic hymns. In these ancient Indian texts, she is worshipped as the divine power of ritual chants and sacrificial fire, which facilitate communication with the gods. In the Brahmanas, she is identified with the flow of speech and later becomes a goddess of speech (Sanskrit: vac). In the Puranas, she appears as the wife of the god Vishnu, the supreme protector of the universe.

Thanks to her connection with the intellectual abilities that are highly valued in Buddhism, she occupies an important place in the Buddhist pantheon. In this role, she is associated with the goddess of wisdom, Prajnaparamita, as well as with the female bodhisattva Tara. As one of the twenty-one Taras, she is called "Sarasvati, a treasure of intelligence" (Tibetan: lo ter. Yanzhima)

Certain differences can be found in the iconography of her Hindu and Buddhist images. In Hindu art, she is depicted as white with four hands. With two of her hands, she is playing the veena and holding a rosary and a book in the other two. She is depicted in a standing posture or sitting on a lotus or white swan. In Buddhist iconography, she is also white in colour, and in rare cases, mostly in Tibetan art, she is red in colour. Her divine attributes also differ from those of the Hindu goddess.

Sarasvati Literally means the one that flows, or famously known as "the deity of melodious voice." She is a deity of wisdom who bestows knowledge, intelligence, and memory. Sarasvati (Tibetan:Yanchenms) is a peaceful yidam who holds a vina (a sitar-like lute) on her lap; she also sometimes holds a text. She is white-coloured with one face, two eyes, and two arms. Dressed in pure white and seated with ankles crossed and knees raised, often on a swan or a white lotus.

Her body is very spotless white, and her black hair is coiled on her head, decorated with flowers. She is wearing celestial clothes, and the skirt is in five colours. The white colour signifies the purity of true knowledge; her left hand holds a jewel-studded vina, and the right strumming the vina enthusiastically with her fingertips.

 

The music is so sweet that it can touch the hearts of every living creature, both in heaven and in the world. People of ancient times, being deficient in intelligence, prayed to the Buddhas. The power of these Buddhas arose in the form of this goddess.

Saraswati in Buddhism

In Buddhism, Saraswati is a protector goddess who upholds the Buddha's teachings. She is occasionally referred to as the tranquil manifestation of the protector Palden Lhamo.

Who is the goddess of music in Buddhism?

Saraswati is a well-known Indian goddess of music, wisdom, and learning. She is widely regarded as both the emanation of Tara and the consort of Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. Saraswati is the enlightened embodiment and bestower of awakened eloquence and special insight into the Buddha's teachings.

Different manifestations of Sarasvati

White Sarasvati has one face with a peaceful expression and two hands playing the veena. She sits in a posture with crossed ankles and raised knees (Skt. utkutaksana). Sometimes she is also depicted in a standing position. She wears lavish clothes, ornaments, and precious stones. In the pantheon of the Sakya School, there is an image of a white Sarasvati with four hands. She is playing Veena with two of her hands, and with the other two, she is holding a lotus and a sword.

Red Sarasvati is depicted either with a peaceful or wrathful expression. Usually, she has one face and two hands. Her right hand holds a precious stone (Tibatan: mani) that fulfils devotees’ wishes, and the left holds a mirror (Tibetan. melong) of wisdom. She sits in the royal pose (Sanskrit. lalitasana), and in some cases she is standing. Her body is adorned with silk and jewel ornaments, and rays of light can be seen around it.

 

A rare form of red Sarasvati is Vajra Sarasvati (Tibetan. Dorje yang chenma marmo), which is mentioned in the Krishna Yamari Tantra. The goddess is depicted with three wrathful faces (red, white, and blue) and six hands. The three right hands hold a red lotus with books on it, a sword, and a curved knife. 

The three left are a wheel, a veena, and the head of Brahma. In some images, instead of the veena, she holds a precious stone. Her body is adorned with jewel ornaments and garments of silk. In some group compositions, Sarasvati can be seen depicted above the female wrathful deity Palden Lhamo, who is considered to be her incarnation and one of Tibet’s main protectors.

She is sometimes connected to Palden Lhamo, who may be regarded as Sarasvati in wrathful form. She is the Hindu goddess at the beginning, who was afterwards led into Tibetan Buddhism, also called "the deity of melodious voice". In Tibetan Buddhism, she is emphasised for her association with granting wisdom in writing and teaching. Thus, she is called "Yanchenma 妙音天女" 

As a consort of Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of wisdom, Sarasvati complements his function of giving wisdom. In Tibetan thangkas and murals, both deities are depicted in a union sitting on a lotus or a lion. In some of these images, Manjushri (yellow in colour) holds his usual attributes: a sword in the right hand and a lotus in the left, on which are the sutras "The Perfection of Wisdom." 

Sarasvati is blue in colour and holds a book in her left hand and Veena in the right. In other images, Manjushri is again yellow in colour, but with four hands: in the right, he holds a sword and two arrows, and in the left, he holds a lotus with a book and an arrow. Sarasvati is white in colour and holds a veena with both hands, embracing her partner.

What are the benefits of the Saraswati Mantra?

Chanting the Saraswati Mantra helps us seek Goddess Saraswati's blessings and infuse her qualities in us it represents the purity of the soul, true knowledge, absolute truth, and creativity.

Anyone who relies on her with faith will find their wisdom sharper, and their wishes for clarity of mind, accuracy of memory, and so forth will be fulfilled. By reciting the Sarasvati mantra, one will become proficient in all scholarly treatises, have clarity of mind, mental stability, a brilliant memory, a pleasant voice, and the ability to gladden others. 

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 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.

 

The Living Journal - Cry For Help

She has taken much of her time.

Convince us she's fine.

But when she turns around, we are not so certain.

It's not always the same, where she was used to be.

Tibet she is depressed.

And when she goes, we feel to blame.

Why won't she say she needs us?

I know she's not as strong as she seems.

Why don't we see her cry for help?

Why don't we feel her cry for help?

Why don't we hear her cry for help?

When wandered around the streets of the promise land

Trying to find sense of it all.

The rain on her face.

It covers the trace.

All of the tears she would have to waste.

Why must she hide her emotions?

Why must she never break down and cry?

All that she needs is to cry for help.

Somebody please hears she is crying for help.

All she can do is crying for help.

No matter what others say

No need to feel ashamed. 

Release the pain. 

Whenever you feel like you're left by yourself.

If you get a little lost, and lose your way.

All you need to know is.

No matter what others say

No need to feel ashamed. 

Release the pain. 

Tibet, cry for help.....

Thank you for reading , may you find peace and ultimate bliss. With your support it helps spread and promote the endangered of the Tibetan's unique culture and heritage in the world. 

The Living Journal - The Power Of Words

The Living Journal - The Power Of Words. How can a mantra can bring so much benefit to those who recite it? We might as well ask, how  can a simple thoughtless word make you angry, upset and a kind word can make us feel happy? 

Words contain a lot of meaning and can be used to bring joy or pain. For instance, if you were to say this:- Oh, you are fat and ugly or you are an idiot" the reaction of the recipient will be completely different and intense. 

But If you were to say:- Today you look so amazingly great and wonderful, it will immediately make the recipient happy to hear it. 

So, if spoken words such as these have so much power to create harm or good. Why not mantras that have blessed by the Buddhas? In Buddhism, mantras are sacred sounds that are believed to possess supernatural powers. 

By chanting mantras, we will purify the impurities of our body, speech and mind caused by  ignorance, hatred, lust, desire, attachment, jealousy and so forth, as the wisdom, power or blessings of the Buddha, Bodhisattva, deity exists within the mantra itself. 

Furthermore, there is tremendous benefit when we recite with our sincere heart, devotion and concentration, accompanied by a visualization of the deity as visualization is an integral part of the Vajrayana practices. There are people who recite mantra without faith, confidence and concentration, it like a parrot singing a song. 

If this how you practice, you will achieve nothing, even in a million years! 

Tayata Om Muni Muni Maha Muniyeh Soha 

Om Mani Pad me Hum. 

Om Ah Hum Benza Guru Padma Sidhi Hung. 

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

Aspiration For Bodhichitta 

Jang Chub Sem Chog Rinpoche 

Ma Kye Pa Nam Kye Gyur Chiang 

Kye Pa Nyam Par Mey Pa Yang 

Gong Nay Gong Du Phel War Shog. 

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 

So nam di yi tham chay zig pa nyi 

Thob nay nye pa'i dra nam pham jay nay 

Kye ga na chi'i ba lab thrug pa yi 

Si pa'i tso lay dro war drol war shog. 

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 copyright any of these photos.

The Living Journal - The Secred Vajra

During the Buddha's time, Vajrayana Buddhism was not publicly known or practice. The teachings  and instructions were privately taught to a select group of individuals in indefinite places. Approximately 800 years after Buddha's passing, a great lotus born master Guru Rinpoche, who is regards as the second Buddha in Vajrayana, Atisha, Nagajuna and Asanga, widely propagated these teachings.

Today, these practice are widely practice and the tradition or lineages remains very much alive and intact in Tibet. Unlike Tibet, the other part of world has been introduced to the Vajrayana practices in an amazing, fabulous and impressive manners.

As a results of teachings and practices being given by unverified teachers that has given rise of a fair share of Cultism and Sectarianism. Many new students have a misconception of the practice. To them, it is something very 'exotic', 'advance' or 'superior' and related to magic, supernatural power and mysticism. Some students have actually approached many Rinpoches seeking for mystical experiences.

Actually Vajrayana is nothing like before, the Vajrayana teachings were taught by the Buddha himself, to liberate us, just like the Theravada and Mahayana traditions. And thus, like the Theravada and Mahayana, it teaches us to liberate and not miracles and magic tricks. It is true that if we practice we will develop many qualities. But these are called "qualities" similar to the Buddha's qualities and not magic. Magic is the art of illusion, its not real, on the other hand, Buddha 's qualities are genuine.  

To follow the Vajrayana, we must practice the Theravada and Mahayana traditions. These paths are all interrelated and complement each other and should not be viewed as being advanced or independent to each other. Vajrayana itself having the indestructible practices of the three Yanas, Its not a different sect or cult of a new religion.

The classic example, We need a foundation, four pillars and a roof to build a house. 

Vajrayana is known as the secret practice or tantrayana, because of the the more secretive the practitioners is about his practice, the better his achievement. In the modern age, the  internet, the social medias, you noticed there are many people try to outsmart or to defeat oneself intentionally or unintentionally by overly elaborate intrigue to have publicized the secret teachings. 

Some of the example of the secrets tantric that one is required empowerment and Guru guidance that have publicized including the details of :-  

[1] The powerful sacred mantras of wrathful protectors.

[2] The mudras engagement in a ritual meditation, especially is to generate forces that invoke a particular Buddha or deity.

[3] The illustration of the technique of visualization.

[4] The practice of channels and chakras. 

[5] The deity in a Yab-Yum union consort formation. 

[6] The Tommo practice-meaning inner fire is a Tibetan secret meditation practice that allows us to make significant physical changes to our body temperature using meditation, breathing techniques and our minds. To be able to immerse our naked body in freezing temperatures for long periods and walk across snowy landscapes for hours without freezing to death.

If these were to made public, it might cause those who are only interested or gaining this tantric practice to increase one’s own power and profit or ego, but instead of focusing on the Buddha's Dharma teaching. For example , when new students or people think of Buddhas they have an impression of serenity, peace and tranquility, however some images of protectors who are actually manifestation of Buddhas, who look wrathful and grotesque. 

Example, some of you might have noticed in certain monastery, they have a curtain to cover up a particular wrathful deity. If the new students were to see them, they might criticize or misunderstand Vajrayana Buddhism altogether, leading them create negative Karma. This is why Vajrayana, in particular the advanced practices, has to be secretly practiced.

I have received some enquiries, an example, a Sri Lankan Buddhist asked why Vajrayana is having so many ghostly demonic wrathful deities? I explained and finally he accepted and saying its so difference from the Sri Lankan Buddhist traditional. My Guru has reminded me that the important of the tantrayana teaching and must not be reviewed publicly and it has to be kept secretly.

Please consult your Guru or a qualified lineage master for practices! Should a devotee even want to start studying and contemplating the tantric , 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 tantric practice is not carried out to increase one’s own power, ego and profit. Negative intentions of any kind may not be.

* This is my personal opinions and reader discretion is advised. 

Thank you for reading , may you find peace and ultimate bliss. With your support it helps spread the Dharma and turning the Dharma wheels in the world. 

Aspiration For Bodhichitta

Jang Chub Sem Chog Rinpoche

Ma Kye Pa Nam Kye Gyur Chiang

Kye Pa Nyam Par Mey Pa Yang

Gong Nay Gong Du Phel War Shog.

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
So nam di yi tham chay zig pa nyi
Thob nay nye pa'i dra nam pham jay nay
Kye ga na chi'i ba lab thrug pa yi
Si pa'i tso lay dro war drol war shog.

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 copyright any of these photos.

The Authenticity of Tibetan Heritage

To preserve the unique, authentic heritage of Tibetan Culture and its lineages, the best ways is through the supporting, promotions and awareness campaign.

Tibetan they create everything from necklaces and earrings sets to bracelets and rings - some of them made with fish bone, beads, horn, seeds, stones, and other natural materials.

Monks statues  
Ceramic statues of Buddhist monks, price for all set of 12 units
Category: Other, Page: No. 6 
Average Weight: 1344 grams
Price $55.00 

Thank you for your purchase and supports to preserve our endangered Tibetan Culture heritage.

More heritage items can be found online here:

http://www.tibetcraftswholesale.com/cgi-bin/index.pl?id=19