Buddha Weekly's Latest Features
Why is “lineage art” important? Distinguishing Nepali and Tibetan lineage Thangkas: style, media, symbolic differences, “fake” and genuine
Thangka sacred art is important to practicing Buddhists for meditation and devotion, but it is also a thriving collector marketplace. Contributing author Erica Gibson helps you identify the styles, media and source of Thangka art in this helpful how-to feature. The Dalia Lama said, “All the elements of a Tibetan religious painting...
EVENT: Prajnaparamita Empowerment with Venerable Zasep Rinpoche by Zoom
Venerable Zasep Rinpoche: "Prajnaparamita means ’The Perfection of Wisdom’ in Mahayana Buddhism. Prajnaparamita refers to the perfected way of seeing the nature of all reality. Prajnaparamita can also refer to the Perfection of Wisdom Sutra, also known as the Heart Sutra. "Prajnaparamita can also refer to the Bodhisattva known as the “Great...
Great Mother of Wisdom Prajnaparamita Yum Chenmo, the Face of Perfection: Wisdom Personified, “Emptiness is Form” Manifested
Why do we call Prajnaparamita — and Her Emanations, such as Tara — the Mother of the Buddhas? Is Prajnaparamita a Sutra or a Goddess or both? Venerable Zasep Rinpoche explained, "Prajnaparamita means ’The Perfection of Wisdom’ in Mahayana Buddhism. Prajnaparamita refers to the perfected way of seeing the nature of all reality. ...
Who needs a Dharma Protector? Isn’t Buddhist Refuge or Green Tara Enough Protection?
Why do we need Buddhist Protectors? Why are there so many “Protective” Deities in Mahayana Buddhism? All streams of Mahayana have forms of Protectors, from directional guardians to temple guardians to supplicated protector deities. Do we need them in our Buddhist practice? The short answer is that Buddhist Refuge or Green Tara...
Report: Buddha Weekly’s Top 50 Features this Month (March 2021)
The top fifty feature articles or pages on Buddha Weekly website in the last 30 days, linked to feature stories: 1. Home - Buddha Weekly: Buddhist Practices, Mindfulness, Meditation — 34,6921. 2. 8 Rights: The Noble Eightfold Path — the Heart of the Buddha's Teaching - Buddha Weekly: Buddhist Practices, Mindfulness, Meditation...
21 Taras Surya Gupta Thanka — stunning art by Angeli Lhadripa Shkonda: interview featuring 21 Tara closeups
Angeli Lhadripa Shkonda's artistic vision focuses her beautiful artistic skills on her beloved Tara Buddha. Taught by traditional teachers, Angeli creates thangkas that are luminous with Enlightened energy, alive with colour and detail and discrete gold details. We are pleased to showcase her beautiful 21 Taras artwork — in the tradition of...
Veneration Practice and Devotion According to the Ksitigarbha Sutra: Why Devotion is Not Superstition
Editor: In a special feature, author Eddie Sobenes explores The Sutra of the Fundamental Vows of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, emphasizing the differences between the meritorious karma activity of "devotion" versus "superstition." In the Chinese Buddhist Canon, there are three Ksitigarbha[1] Sutras. In this essay, I will discuss the one known as The Sutra...
The True Dragon in Buddhism — What do you do if a “dragon” appears in your bedroom? The importance of practice — and Dragons
In Zen-Chan Buddhism, the "Tale of the True Dragon" is used by teachers to illustrate the importance of true practice over entirely intellectual study. Imagine waking one morning to find a dragon "coiled by [your] bed, its scales and teeth glittering in the moonlight."[5] Would you scream in terror or embrace the...
The First Doctor: Medicine Buddha Bhaisajyaguru — Empowering You to Heal
In times of pain, sickness, or stress, many Mahayana Buddhists rely on sacred Medicine Buddha meditation for healing. In Buddhism, where the power of mind is preeminent, it is no surprise that meditation is widely embraced as medication. As David Miche explains, they have the same root in language: "It is no...
The many faces of Avalokiteshvara’s compassion: sometimes we need a father or mother, sometimes a friend, sometimes a warrior
Sometimes we need the gentle mother or father to guide us. We often need a best friend to console us, pat our back, pick us back up and inspire us to work harder. Or, we might need the strength of a warrior to help us. Other times we are best helped by...
Internet DIY Dharma: What seven Buddhist teachers say about the pros and cons of Buddha’s teachings via the internet and the risks of do-it-yourself Dharma.
What is the promise — and danger — of Buddhist Dharma teachings online beyond the obvious pros vs cons: accessibility of Dharma teachings vs. misinformation or false Dharma teachings. In this feature, you'll find the opinions of seven teachers and two other experts. On one point most of the teachers are virtually...
Vajrasattva, the Great Purifier, among the most powerful and profound healing and purifications techniques in Vajrayana Buddhism
All Buddhist practices could ultimately be described by the goal "purification of the five aggregates" — through various forms of meditation and virtues (actions and thoughts.) Purification is a core concept. [Several teaching and mantra videos below.] Vajrasattva meditation and mantra is the best-known of the purification practices in Tibetan Buddhism —...
