Buddha Weekly's Latest Features
Tara’s “Play Mind” — and Her eight great laughters — transforming the eight demons and fears; relying on the Mother of the Buddhas
Even the great Conqueror Shakyamuni Buddha relied on Mother Tara’s “eight great laughters” to pacify fears, doubts, and demons. Tara is known as the Mother of All Buddhas because it is through Her Wisdom that all beings can attain Enlightenment. Traditionally, the Enlightened female represents “wisdom,” while the Enlighted male represents “compassion.”...
Longing for Tara — “Hook me with your great love and kindness to liberate me…”
Green Tara is a deity of the “heart.” While all the Buddhas can be seen as Oneness and Omniscient — and therefore practicing one Buddha can be seen as practicing all Buddhas —there is something “precious,” personal and wondrous about the Wisdom Compassion Buddha Noble Green Tara. “Tara sees all sentient beings...
Why is pride a poison — and overcoming ego with the wisdom of Equality; practicing Ratnasambhava and the Ambhattha Sutra
One day, Buddha came across the "untouchable" Nadhi carrying excrement. Nadhi tried to avoid the Buddha — out of respect, as was the custom — but Buddha intercepted the modest man. In a panic, Nadhi spilled the excrement. Buddha, with the wisdom of "equality" helped the man rise, daring not only to...
Buddhism vs Hollywood — Are “Buddhist” demons, vampires, zombies, and hungry ghosts scarier than Hollywood monsters?
Let’s face it — the movie-monsters of Hollywood are the cry-babies of the supernatural world. Werewolves? Phooey — try a giant Oni demon on for size. Vampires — well, okay, Buddhism has those too, except they are also black magicians. Ghosts? You won’t want to meet a Jikininki — he’ll eat your...
Body mandala practice in Vajrayana Tantric Buddhism — and riding the winds of the inner body “Where mind goes, the body follows”
"Where the mind goes, the body follows" is an ancient unattributed wisdom saying — although it is credited to Arnold Schwarzenegger in modern times. Arnie was probably paraphrasing a quote often attributed to Zhang San Feng, the Taoist monk who developed the martial art Tai Chi: "The chi flows where the mind...
Transforming demons; “Get thee behind me Mara!”: how Buddhism exorcises demons; transformation but no destruction
Shakyamuni Buddha, raised among Brahmins (priests) and kings, left the palace behind and sat under the Bodhi Tree to face his inner demons. Of course, his mission wasn't to exorcise devils and demons; it was the lofty goal of saving all sentient beings from Samsara, from suffering. The demons can be seen...
Vajrayana Visualization can Generate Body Heat, Heal, and Manifest Deity Qualities Helping Overcome Ego
One of the most intriguing demonstrations of the power of Vajrayana visualization is Tummo. By visualizing heat in the tummo centre, an expert practitioner can actually meditate for hours on an icy winter day — without clothing or discomfort. In a different demonstration of the transformative power of Vajrayana meditation, various peer-reviewed clinical...
Video: In Praise of Tara, written and recited by Jason Espada — Praising the Mother of All the Buddhas
Jason Espada recites In Praise of Tara with beautiful Tara images. Don't miss this wonderful praise of the Mother of All the Buddhas. Jason Espada is well known for his Dharma Recordings.He is the author of several books on Buddhism and Dharma. [More on Jason below.] Buddha Weekly presents Jason Espada Recites...
The Sutra of Tara Who Protects from the Eight Fears: in Tara’s Own Words
Tara's vast popularity in Mahayana Buddhism — as both Bodhisattva and Buddha — is easy to understand. Not only is she a "Mother" — a mother deity and the "Mother of All Buddhas" — but she also protects us from the Eight Dangers or Fears, including diseases and epidemics. How important is...
Amazing Choral Chanting of Heart Sutra Recitation: requested by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche; singers around the world
Beautiful chanting of the Heart Sutra, the request of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, to commemorate Saga Dawa Duchen — recorded on June 4-5 2020. Dozens of people chanted as a virtual choir on Zoom in an amazingly beautiful chant. Note: Heart Sutra recitation is meritorious. To chant along with Rinpoche and the Sangha,...
Avalokiteshvara’s Ten Prayers for happiness and well-being of all sentient beings chanted by Khenpo Pemo Choephel Rinpoche
Avalokiteshvara's 10 prayers for the happiness and well-being of all sentient beings, exquisitely chanted by Khenpo Pema Choephel Rinpoche (mini-biography below) — with chant lyrics in video and below (song available on Soundcloud): 10 Prayers in Tibetan (chanted version) Chinese and English JE LAMA NAMLA SOLWA DEB, GOE KADRIN CHENGYI JINGYI LOB...
Music Mantra Video: Om Mani Padme Hum wonderfully chanted by Yoko Dharma, the sacred sound of compassionate Buddha Chenrezig
Around the world, millions chant "Om Mani Padme Hum" each day. Many Buddhist children learn to chant Chenrezig's compassion mantra from very young ages. Chenrezig, also known as Avalokiteshvara (Sanskrit) and Kwan Yin (Guanyin, Kuan Yin), is the Great Bodhisattva of Compassion whose loving-kindness is iconic of Metta, Bodhichitta and love in...