Tibetan Buddhism and Culture: Dharma

Showing posts with label Dharma. Show all posts

Friday, June 30, 2023

The Eight Auspicious Symbols of Vajrayana - Dharma Wheel (1/2)

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.

5. Dharma Wheel (1/2)

The Dharma wheel in Tibetan is known as "kore-low". The Golden Wheel, or Dharma Wheel, symbolises the auspiciousness of the turning of the precious wheel of Buddha's doctrine, both in its teachings and realisations, in all realms and at all times, enabling beings to experience the joy of wholesome deeds and liberation.

This golden wheel is also called the Dharma chakra or the Dhamma chakka and is often used to represent Buddha himself. It has also universally become a symbol of Buddhism. The Dharma wheel has eight spokes, which represent Buddha’s Eightfold Path.

What is the Dharma Wheel, or Dharmachakra?

The Wheel of the Law (Dharmachakra) is the single most important symbol of Buddhism, denoting the Buddha's First Sermon in the forest at Sarnath, where he set Buddhist Law (Dharma) in motion.

The Dharma wheel, or Dharmachakra in Sanskrit, is one of the oldest symbols of Buddhism. Around the globe, it is used to represent Buddhism in the same way that a cross represents Christianity or a Star of David represents Judaism. It is also one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism. Similar symbols are found in Jainism and Hinduism.

Who invented Dharmachakra?

Symbolic history. When Gautama Buddha, After achieving enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, he came to Sarnath. There, he found his five disciples, Assaji, Mahanaman, Kondanna, Bhaddiya, and Vappa, who had earlier abandoned him. He introduced his first teachings to them, thereby establishing the Dharmachakra.

A traditional Dharma wheel is a chariot wheel with varying numbers of spokes. It can be any colour, although it is most often gold. At the centre, there may be three shapes swirling together: a yin-yang symbol, a second wheel, or an empty circle.

What the Dharma Wheel Represents

A Dharma wheel has three basic parts: the hub, the rim, and the spokes. Over the centuries, various teachers and traditions have proposed diverse meanings for these parts. Here are some common understandings of the wheel's symbolism:

The circle, the round shape of the wheel, represents the perfection of the Dharma, the Buddha's teaching.
The rim of the wheel represents meditative concentration and mindfulness, which hold practise together.
The hub represents moral discipline. The three swirls often seen on the hub are sometimes said to represent the Three Treasures or Three Jewels: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. They may also represent joy.
The spokes signify different concepts, depending on their number:

When a wheel has eight spokes, the spokes represent the Eightfold Path. An eight-spoke wheel is the most common form of the wheel in Buddhism.
When a wheel has ten spokes, the spokes represent the ten directions—in effect, everywhere.
When a wheel has twelve spokes, the spokes represent the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination.
When a wheel has 24 spokes, the spokes represent the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination plus the reversing of the Twelve Links and liberation from Samsara. A 24-spoke dharma wheel is also called an Ashoka Chakra.
When a wheel has 31 spokes, the spokes represent the 31 realms of existence in ancient Buddhist cosmology.
When a wheel has four spokes, which is rare, the spokes represent either the Four Noble Truths or the Four Dhyanas.

The wheel often has spokes protruding beyond the wheel, which we might imagine are spikes, although usually they don't look very sharp. The spikes represent various penetrating insights.

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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.

Thursday, June 22, 2023

The Eight Auspicious Symbols of Vajrayana - Right Coiled White Conch Shell

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

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 after he gained enlightenment.

1. The Right Coiled White Conch Shell

"Doong-kahr-yay-kyeel" in the Tibetan word, which represents the heavenly sound of the Buddhadharma Its beautiful sound is far-reaching and melodious; upon hearing it, it will awaken beings from ignorance.

The white conch shells, which spiral to the right in a clockwise direction, are a rarity and are considered especially sacred. The right-spiralling movement of such a conch is believed to echo the celestial motion of the sun, moon, planets, and stars across the heavens. Today, the conch is used to call together religious assemblies. During the actual practise of rituals, it is used both as a musical instrument and as a container for holy water.

The Right White Conch Shell is a dependent arising announcing the sweet melody of the profound and extensive Dharma that fits the elements, level of mind, and wishes of sentient beings who are the objects to be subdued. It awakens transmigratory beings from the ignorant sleep of unknowing and persuades them to accomplish works for the benefit and happiness of themselves and others.

Donations for our Buddhist research and development

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.

Friday, July 1, 2022

Serkyem Offering Prayers

*Serkyem Offering Prayers ( Bless the serkyem. Then recite:)

Hung, lama yidam khandro dang

Hum! All gurus, yidams, dakinis,

Chosung drekpa de gyebtsok

Dharmapalas, and the assembly of eight classes of arrogant spirits,

Serkyem chopa di zhye la

Please, accept this serkyem offering, and

Dak gi dodon drubpar dzo

Fulfill all our wishes.

* Footnote

For those who had received the empowerment of this Tantric practice, you are reminded not intentionally or unintentionally to disclose the mantra to the public or anyone who may not have the empowerment or permission to practice, and by disclosing the mantra intentionally or unintentionally is a form of breaking your Tantric Samaya vows to the lineage masters and Dharma protectors.

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

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

Dana (Donations 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.

Thursday, June 30, 2022

A Short Prayer to the Dharma Protectors for Offering and Auspiciousne

Mahakala is one of the most popular guardians in the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon. Here he tramples a corpse while wielding a flaying knife and a blood-filled skull cup, signifying the destruction of impediments to enlightenment.

What is the purpose of Mahakala?
His purpose is to help in overcoming negative obstacles on the path to enlightenment, and protecting that path of righteousness (also known as “Dharma”) from hindrances. Like a gargoyle, the mask of Mahakala is also meant to scare the bad spirits and energy away from the place it protects

A Short Prayer to the Dharma Protectors for Offering and Auspiciousness

* Offering prayers

Ngon tse orgyen chenpo chen nga ru

I offer to all the Dharma protectors who long ago

Cho zhin drupar jepe gangzak la

Promised, in the presence of the Great Uddiyana,

Ma yi bu zhin kyongwar zhel zhepe

To protect, like a mother protects her child,

Chokyong sungma nam la chopa bul

Those who practice in accordance with the Dharma.

*Prayer for Auspiciousness

Ngon tse orgyen chenpo chen nga ru

May there be the auspiciousness of all the Dharma protectors who long ago,

Cho zhin drupar jepe gangzak la

Promised, in the presence of the Great Uddiyana,

Ma yi bu zhin kyongwar zhel zhepe

To protect, like a mother protects her child,

Chokyong sungma nam kyi trashi shok

Those who practice in accordance with the Dharma.

* Footnote

Dana (Donations for our Buddhist research and development)

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, June 23, 2022

What is Chod practice? Attributed to the great Tibetan Yogini Machig Labdron

What is Chod practice?

The chod practitioner seeks to tap the power of fear through activities such as rituals set in graveyards, and visualisation of offering their bodies in a tantric feast in order to put their understanding of emptiness to the ultimate test.

The Tibetan word “Chod” means “to cut off” or “to slay.” The traditional practice of chod cuts off self-cherishing and grasping at a truly existent “I.” It creates the conditions under which one can develop the mind of conventional bodhichitta, which holds others as more dear than oneself, and the mind of ultimate bodhichitta, which sees reality as it truly is.

Attributed to the great Tibetan Yogini Machig Labdron, and the only practice that made its way back to India from Tibet, it is an extremely effective and quick Tantric method for attaining realizations of the path to enlightenment.

Chod is a spiritual practice found primarily in the Yundrung Bön tradition as well as in the Nyingma and Kagyu schools of Tibetan Buddhism (where it is classed as Anuttarayoga Tantra).

It's also known as "cutting through the ego, the practices are based on the Prajnaparamita or "Perfection of Wisdom" sutras, which expound the "emptiness" concept of Buddhist philosophy.

According to Mahayana Buddhists, emptiness is the ultimate wisdom of understanding that all things lack inherent existence. Chod combines Prajnaparamita philosophy with specific meditation methods and Tantric ritual. The chod practitioner seeks to tap the power of fear through activities such as rituals set in graveyards, and visualisation of offering their bodies in a Tantric feast in order to put their understanding of emptiness to the ultimate test.

Key elements

Chod literally mean "cutting through". It cuts through hindrances and obscurations, sometimes called 'demons' or 'gods'. Examples of demons are ignorant, anger and, in particular, the dualism of perceiving the self as inherently meaningful, contrary to the Buddhist doctrine of anatta (non-self).

This is done in a powerful meditative ritual which includes "a stunning array of visualizations, song, music, and prayer, it engages every aspect of one’s being and effects a powerful transformation of the interior landscape.

According to Machig Labdron, the main goal of chod is cutting through ego clinging:

In particular, there is no greater devil than this present ego-clinging, and because of this all the devils will rear their ugly heads as long as one has not severed this clinging to ego.

When somebody tells you something that really hurts your mind, that is the most beneficial thing for your mind because it goes straight in your heart and touches your ego.

This is what shows you, like a mirror, like a teaching from the Buddha, one’s own mistaken thoughts, especially the ego; it shows that there is ego, and because there is ego, it hurts.

If there is no ego, then it would never hurt. When people say what your mistakes are, or say words which hurt you, that is the real Chöd practice. This is what makes you see your “I,” the emotional “I” – in Western psychological terms – the object of ignorance, the root of Samsara, which is holding this “I” as truly existent.

Normally one is not aware of this, but by doing the practice of Chöd, inviting the spirits, they create violence and it makes you see the “I,” the object of ignorance, the object to be refuted – the truly existent “I” – clearly. They show the “I” to you very clearly and then you are able to recognize that it is false, an object of ignorance; you are able to use your reasoning, logical reasoning, that the “I” doesn’t exist because it is a dependant arising, or merely imputed.

It is merely imputed relating to the aggregates, the base, etc. There are so many other reasonings you can use. You recognize the object to be refuted at that minute. That it is what doesn’t exist at all; it is totally non-existent.

Chod, like all Tantric systems, has outer, inner and secret aspects. They are described in an evocation sung to Nyama Paldabum by Milarepa:

What we call devils are not materially existing individuals. A devil means anything which hinders us in our achievement of liberation. Consequently, even kind and loving friends and companions may become devils as far as liberation is concerned. In particular, there is no greater devil than this present ego-clinging, and because of this all the devils will rear their ugly heads as long as one has not severed this clinging to ego.

Dana (Donations for our Buddhist research and development)

* Footnote

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, May 30, 2022

The Glorious Vajra Claws - Dorje Dermo Dakini 金剛利爪母

*Vajra Claw—Dorje Dermo Dakini 金剛利爪母

Vajra Claw is a wrathful female activity Dakini. The Buddha originally revealed Vajra Claw to be a powerful guardian and protector. Accordingly, Vajra Claw is invoked to this day in order to protect the practitioners’ domestic space, their family, their friends and their allies and to avert any obstacles that might threaten them.

Vajra Claw she is a wrathful female activity Dakini. Within the Vajrakilaya tradition, she is the consort of Niladanda of The Ten Wrathful Ones. Her name translates as Vajra Claws into English and may be restored in Sanskrit as Vajra Nakhi. Her mantra has a long history and can be found in a variety of forms in the Guhyasamaja, the Vajravarahi, and the Vajrakilaya traditions.

In this context Dorje Dermo’s mantra is recited in connection to the ritual of the liberation of obstacles. Over time and especially within Tibet, Dorje Dermo became a deity independently invoked as to protect the practitioners’ domestic space, their family, their friends and their allies and to avert any obstacles that might threaten them.

History of Vajra Claw Dorje Dermo Dakini

According to The Incantation of Glorious Vajra Claws, the Buddha revealed the method for invoking Dorje Dermo in a place called the Vajra Palace to an assembly of monks and Tantric practitioners. There the Buddha advised them, that if the Dharani is recited, Dorje Dermo will become their guardian and protector, they will obtain many qualities and encounter only favourable circumstances.

At the end of the Dharani, Dorje Dermo recounts that countless aeons ago, she took birth as a female practitioner. At that time the Buddha called "Dridha-shura-sena-prabha-raja" (Sanskirt: Drdhasurasenapraharaṇaraja) visited the world. When Dorje Dermo met this Buddha, Buddha placed his hand upon her head and entrusted her with the Dharani. Buddha foretold her that if she continues recites the dharani, in future she will become known as the deity Dorje Dermo and bring great benefit and happiness to all sentient beings.

The Power of Vajra Claw Practice

The lamas mentioned that this practice is considered very powerful. They explained that Vajra Claw is a wrathful ḍakini whose activity is related to pacifying negative obstructing forces. In particular, Vajra Claw’s dharaṇi has the power to stop or block these forces, whether they appear in the form of external forces in nature.

Other people’s negative actions, our body sicknesses, fears or mental problems. It also has incredible benefits, all of which are described in detail in the text. According to the text, this dharaṇi protects by wearing it, reading it, or placing it where the problem is taking place.

Dana (Donations for our Buddhist research and development)

* Footnote

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.

Wednesday, May 11, 2022

The Marici Bodhisattva Sutra Spoken by Buddha Shakyamuni

The Marici Bodhisattva Sutra Spoken by Buddha Shakyamuni

Thus I have heard, at one time, the Buddha was in Shravasti at Jetavana Grove, together with twelve hundred fifty great Bhikshus.

At the time, the Buddha told the Bhikshus: There is a Goddess named Maricopa, who comes before the sun.

Marici cannot be seen, caught , harmed or bound by anyone.

Nobody can make her indebted to anyone,

Nobody can take advantage of Marici.

The Buddha told the Bhikshus:

If one know the name of Marici,

One also cannot be seen, caught, harmed , or bound.

Nobody can make one indebted to anyone,

Nobody can take advantage of one.

The Buddha told the Bhikshus:

Any virtuous man or virtuous woman,

Who hears the name of Marici, should recite:

I, disciple………….., know the name of Marici,

Thus, nobody can see me, catch me, harm me, or bind me.

Nobody can make me indebted to anyone,

Nobody can take advantage of me.

At that moment, the Buddha recited this mantra:

dan-zhi-ta, an-jia-mo-si, mo-jia-mo-si,

zhi-po-lou-mo-si, mo-he-zhi-po-luo-mo-si,

an-duo-li-ta, namo, so-ha.

Project me while travelling,

Protect me when not travelling,

Protect me at daytime,

Protect me at nighttime,

Protect me in the enemy's house,

Protect me from political oppression,

Protect me from robbery,

Protect me from all misfortune everywhere at all times, disciple …………, so-ha.

The Buddha told the Bhikshus:

"Any virtuous man, virtuous woman, Bhikshu, Bhikshuni, Upasaka, Upasika, king, minister, citizen, and so on, who hears the mantra of Marici and sincerely recites it, will not be harmed by any dangers aforesaid."

The Buddha told the Bhikshus:

"If one can transcribe this sutra, recite it, uphold it,

Insert it into one's hair or clothes to carry it at all times, then

All disasters will disappear, and nothing will dare to obstruct one;

After the Bhikshus heard the Buddha's teaching, they were filled with joy and upheld this teaching."

Please visit our Marici Bodhisattva prayer on YouTube here :

https://youtu.be/disjOlZz3_Q

Dana (Donations for our Buddhist research and development)

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.