Latest Features
What are deities? Not other than “the qualities of the fully awakened… latent within us.” Who is Guru? “the pointer to these qualities”
The concept of "deity" is the most misunderstood aspect of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism. Buddha did not discuss a creator God. Why, then do we speak of "deities" in Buddhism? The concept of "Guru" is another largely misunderstood concept. The...
June 20, 2022: “This Week I’m Thankful For…”: Saga Dawa, H.H. Dalai Lama, neighbors who care, a cancer breakthrough, forests and fungi…
At times it may seem the news is only filled with negative news: war, pandemics, violence. We sometimes forget to recognize the "good news." Those little acts of Karuna (compassion) and Metta (loving-kindness) that help affirm we all have Buddha...
Vyagghapajja Sutta — Buddha: “These four conditions, conducive to a householder’s happiness…” Buddha teaches the lay followers
In Vyagghapajja Sutta, a concise but profound sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha answers his lay followers on how to develop the four conditions conducive to householder's happiness. The representatives of the laypeople attending asked "O Lord, let the Exalted One preach the...
Targeted Calm-Abiding Meditation: Dalai Lama and Lama Tsongkhapa teach how to target the main affliction for a more precise meditation result
His Holiness the Dalai Lama presented a profound and brilliant method to "target" your meditation on the affliction, in his powerful commentary on Lama Tsongkhapa's Great Exposition of Secret Mantra. When we think of calm-abiding meditation, we might think of...
Meditation for children: Peer-reviewed studies support structured meditation in classrooms and homes to help children deal with depression, negative coping and self-hostility
Meditation is an essential component of Buddhism that enables us to settle, concentrate, and connect body and mind. Study after study has shown the many benefits it can bring us, including a greater sense of calm, understanding, and empathy. Why...
21 Taras in the Narjuna, Atisha and Nyingma lineages: a profound, powerful, precise, pleasing daily practice
Tara practice is among the most beautiful and inspiring practices in Mahayana Buddhism, but — why are there so many Taras? In every Mahayana tradition, there are many aspects or emanations of Tara — seemingly one for every fear or...
Members: Lama Tsongkhapa celebrating the life and guided practice of the great sage — and mantra beautifully chanted by Yoko Dharma
View full video — Transcript In these difficult times, we need practices that generate the healing powers of Compassion, Wisdom and Power. These are usually personified, from a Mahayana Buddhist point-of-view in the Enlightened forms of Chenrezig for Compassion, Manjushri...
21 Taras sung in English Atisha and Nyingma traditions — early and ad-free for Patrons and Members as our thank you!
Ad-Free Patron/Member version: Beautiful chanting in English of the 21 Taras Praise with stunning Nyingma tradition images of 21 Taras by Lasha Mutual (lashamutual.com, used with permission)— chanted by amazing Hrishikesh Sonar. Members play ad-free here: Principle Green Tara with...
Supporting Member Video: In Buddhas Words — NOT in Buddhas Words, or Did Buddha Actually Say That?
As a special thank you to our supporting members and patrons, please enjoy this HD version of In Buddhas Words — NOT in Buddhas Words, ad-free. Welcome to our humorous new education series: In Buddhas Words ... NOT in Buddha's...
Supporting Members and Patrons Video: Kurukulla Red Tara Guided Visualization and Mantra 108
Over the centuries, Vajrayana Buddhists journeyed, in their minds, to visit dazzling pure lands, filled with wondrous Enlightened Beings. Imagine, now, closing your eyes to meditate on Emptiness, and glimpsing none other than Red Tara in her form as Kurukulla....
Supporting Member Video: Padmasambhava visualizations with mantra 108x beautifully chanted
Thank you dear Patrons and Supporting Members! This is for you! Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava's mantra connects us with the Enlightened Padmasambhava. For centuries, it has been chanted for its spiritual and miraculous qualities. Bring the benefits of this short, beautiful...
Scientific Buddhist? A spiritual path that aligns with science? Why science and logic enhances Buddhist practice
The practice of Buddhism is one of the few "labeled" spiritual paths that is not in some way at odds with science. In fact, I will present the case that Buddhism is fully supportable as method and practice for even...
Ten confirmed health and wellness benefits of meditation: the science of mindfulness, with 17 cited research studies
Buddha taught the many benefits of meditation more than 2500 years ago — in the Satipatthana Sutta and others — and modern medical science confirms and reinforces those benefits in study after study. In this feature, we cite 17 sources of...
Dependent Co-Arising Answers Most Arguments with Impeccable Logic: The Great Causes Discourse Maha-nidana Sutta
In almost any "Buddhist" philosophical argument — for instance, "why should I meditate?" or "Is there a soul?" or "what happens after death?" or even, "what is the true nature of self?" — the impeccable logic of Dependent Co-Arising is...
Targeted Calm-Abiding Meditation: Dalai Lama and Lama Tsongkhapa teach how to target the main affliction for a more precise meditation result
His Holiness the Dalai Lama presented a profound and brilliant method to "target" your meditation on the affliction, in his powerful commentary on Lama Tsongkhapa's Great Exposition of Secret Mantra. When we think of calm-abiding meditation, we might think of...
5 ideas for people who find seated meditation difficult — and ways to re-motivate your practice
Did you know, in the United States, meditation is the second most popular body and mind practice; first is yoga? Many studies have revealed that medication has several psychological and health benefits. Meditation allows you to relax and boost your...
Zazen is “good for nothing” — the journey to Enlightenment starts with “just sitting” — and it’s good for your health, stress or anxiety (studies)
Zazen is a type of meditation that is central to Zen Buddhism, and first taught by Shakyamuni Buddha as an insight practice — and it's good for nothing! Just sit. That is all. Don't get us wrong, it's good for...
Interview: Author of Allow Joy into Our Hearts, Chan Dharma Teacher Rebecca Li, Ph.D.
Rebecca Li, Ph.D. is a Chan Buddhist Dharma teacher and founder of the Chan Dharma Community. In her new book Allow Joy into Our Hearts she takes on the question of how to "find ways to allow joy, kindness, and...
Buddhist Practice: Practicing Joy in Difficult Times — Excerpt from Rebecca Li’s Allow Joy into Your Heart
IF YOU HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THE NEWS THIS WEEK, the theme is: When are we going back to normal? When are we opening things up? As some places return to normal, there’s a lot of anxiety about when we will...
Book Excerpt: Gelug Mahamudra, Eloquent Speech of Manjushri, a commentary and practice guide on Sutra and Tantra Mahamudra by Ven. Zasep Tulku Rinpoche
The book, Gelug Mahamudra Eloquent Speech of Manjushri, is a rare commentary and practice guide in English, written for Western Buddhist students. Why is Mahamudra an advanced and special practice? Rinpoche explains: "Mahamudra meditation is awareness and understanding of the...
Vyagghapajja Sutta — Buddha: “These four conditions, conducive to a householder’s happiness…” Buddha teaches the lay followers
In Vyagghapajja Sutta, a concise but profound sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha answers his lay followers on how to develop the four conditions conducive to householder's happiness. The representatives of the laypeople attending asked "O Lord, let the Exalted One preach the...
Sutra of the ten ways of being free: the Discourse on the Ten Wholesome Ways of Action
In this beautiful Sutra, Buddha delivers one of his most important and concise deliveries of the "ten ways of being free": What are the ten? 1]. One gives universally to all beings without fear 2]. One always has a heart...
Vyākaraṇaparivarta vyākaraṇa – “prophecy” or “prediction” chapter 6 of the Lotus Sutra
Editors Note: This is chapter 6 in our ongoing series on the Lotus Sutra, the famous "Prophecy" chapter of the Lotus Sutra. This is the chapter in which Buddha' predicts future Buddhahood for the four students featured in the parable...
21 Taras in the Narjuna, Atisha and Nyingma lineages: a profound, powerful, precise, pleasing daily practice
Tara practice is among the most beautiful and inspiring practices in Mahayana Buddhism, but — why are there so many Taras? In every Mahayana tradition, there are many aspects or emanations of Tara — seemingly one for every fear or...
Wing Chun creator Buddhist Nun Ng Mui developed the art as a non-lethal martial art that mirrors six Buddhist Paramitas?
In this feature, I'll make a crazy argument — but bear with me. Wing Chun, the venerable martial art created by Buddhist Nun Ng Mui perfectly (pun intended) showcases the Six Perfections taught by Buddha: Generosity, Discipline, Patience, Diligence, Concentration,...
Mother Tara’s supreme form: Chittamani Tara (Cittamani)- the “Mind Jewel” Green Tara – a Highest Yoga Tantra practice
Many Tara practitioners wonder why there are so many Taras: 21 Taras, 108 Taras, 1008 Taras — and more. Peaceful Taras. Motherly Taras. Green, White, Black, Blue, Red, Yellow, Gold, Orange Taras. And Taras in all four of the levels...
The Gateless Gate and the door of Mu!: “Does a dog have Buddha Nature?” and other breakthrough koan riddles
The Gateless Gate (or Barrier) is a compilation of 48 Zen koans. Koans are paradoxical, puzzling riddles, statements, or even short pieces of prose that are a fixture in Zen Buddhism; they’re meant to entice those who encounter them to...
Zazen is “good for nothing” — the journey to Enlightenment starts with “just sitting” — and it’s good for your health, stress or anxiety (studies)
Zazen is a type of meditation that is central to Zen Buddhism, and first taught by Shakyamuni Buddha as an insight practice — and it's good for nothing! Just sit. That is all. Don't get us wrong, it's good for...
Dogen, Satori, and the personal experience of enlightenment in Soto Zen: impermanence, emptiness, Zazen and “Being Time”
Soto Zen is virtually synonymous with Zazen and Mindfulness — especially uji (有時) translated as "Being Time." [For more on "Uji" see section below.] Soto Zen is a far-reaching, profound, and ancient path — with a particular focus on "Time...
What are deities? Not other than “the qualities of the fully awakened… latent within us.” Who is Guru? “the pointer to these qualities”
The concept of "deity" is the most misunderstood aspect of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism. Buddha did not discuss a creator God. Why, then do we speak of "deities" in Buddhism? The concept of "Guru" is another largely misunderstood concept. The...
21 Taras in the Narjuna, Atisha and Nyingma lineages: a profound, powerful, precise, pleasing daily practice
Tara practice is among the most beautiful and inspiring practices in Mahayana Buddhism, but — why are there so many Taras? In every Mahayana tradition, there are many aspects or emanations of Tara — seemingly one for every fear or...
Shabkar “the greatest yogi after Milarepa” (Dalai Lama) becomes the object of his disciples attachment — from his autobiography
Among the most loved of the sages from the land of Tibet was the great Shabkar. His Holiness the Dalai Lama explained Shabkar's unique appeal in the forward to the book the Life of Shabkar: "Regarded by many as the...
21 Taras in the Narjuna, Atisha and Nyingma lineages: a profound, powerful, precise, pleasing daily practice
Tara practice is among the most beautiful and inspiring practices in Mahayana Buddhism, but — why are there so many Taras? In every Mahayana tradition, there are many aspects or emanations of Tara — seemingly one for every fear or...
Mother Tara’s supreme form: Chittamani Tara (Cittamani)- the “Mind Jewel” Green Tara – a Highest Yoga Tantra practice
Many Tara practitioners wonder why there are so many Taras: 21 Taras, 108 Taras, 1008 Taras — and more. Peaceful Taras. Motherly Taras. Green, White, Black, Blue, Red, Yellow, Gold, Orange Taras. And Taras in all four of the levels...
Tara the Windy Liberator, the Mother, the Activity Heroine: “Green Tara functions throughout our world” the activity of all the Enlightened Ones
Green Tara is famous for her windy activity — faster than the fiercest hurricane — sweeping to the rescue of sentient beings. In Vajrayana Buddhism, Female Buddhas represent Wisdom. Tara represents the unique and awesome intersection of Activity and Wisdom....
Buddha Weekly’s Special Section
Tara, Mother of all Buddhas
Karma Mother
How does Tara Help?
Tara, like any Mother, is ready to jump to our aid, even in mundane areas of life. She is the “practical Buddha” — the “Karma Mother” — the Buddha most active in our lives. Her Sanskrit name translates as “a star by which to navigate” — and like a star, she is always with us whenever we look for her.
Tara on YouTube
21 Taras Mantra Video Playlist
An entire playlist of every one of the mantras for the 21 Taras. Don't miss the amazing Tara mantra chanting of Yoko Dharma for the each Tara of the 21 Taras according to Surya Gupta lineage. One video with many repetitions and visualized images for each Tara. The final video is the English-translated 21 Praises to Tara sung in English.
