Transforming demons; “Get thee behind me Mara!”: how Buddhism exorcises demons; transformation but no destruction
Buddhist Living, Buddhist Practices, Symbols
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 ...
Buddha on Dharma Prayer Wheels: “defilements will be purified and the face of the deity will appear”; Guru Rinpoche: you will “be able to attain mystic powers…”
Buddhist Living, Buddhist Practices, Guru Rinpoche, Mahayana, Symbols, Vajrayana
It's unlikely you'll be levitating off the ground any time soon — even if you undertake millions of prayer wheel spins — so what did the great Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava mean when he wrote: you will "be able ...
Ashtamangala: the Meaning of the 8 auspicious symbols Of Buddhism
Symbols
The Ashtamangala are a sacred set of eight auspicious signs or symbols. They are considered a teaching tool, which point to the qualities of enlightenment. Within Buddhism, the Ashtamangala, are symbols of good fortune and represent the offerings ...
Buddhism 108: Much more than the number of beads on a mala
Symbols
There are 108 beads on a mala; in yoga, the 12 postures of the sun salutations are often completed in rounds of nine; and pranayamic breathing is often practiced in cycles of 108. Several eastern spiritual paths, including ...
“Yoga for the west” How Tarot can map to almost any spiritual path — including Buddhism — as meditative art. Part 2 of a series
Meditation, Symbols
"You should know all phenomena are like dreams." — Shakyamuni Buddha. In Tibetan Buddhism, Milam, lucid dreaming, is an important practice. Visualizing deities is a principal practice. One of the reasons for both is as a method for ...
Magnetize me: working with the magnetizing activity deities of the Padma Buddha family: Amitabha, Chenrezig, Hayagriva, Vajrayogini, Vajradharma
Avalokiteshvara, Bodhisattvas, Buddha, Buddhist Practices, Symbols, Vajrayana
Many Buddhists are attracted (magnetized) to the charismatic emanations of Enlightenment of the Padma family: Amitabha, Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara), Hayagriva, Vajrayogini or Vajravarahi, Kurukulla, Vajradharma and others. It seems natural and instinctive — the nature of the magnetic personas ...
The Lion’s Gaze and the Lion’s Roar: Padmasambhava, Milarepa and Buddha’s lion wisdom even more relevant in today’s hectic world
Buddhist Living, Symbols
Milarepa, the great sage in Tibet. The Lion's Gaze parable is, perhaps, more meaningful in today's hectic world, than it was in Ancient Tibet. Today, anger, fury, social unrest, and dissatisfaction make The Lion's Gaze a very relevant ...
Phurba or Kila: the most potent of wrathful ritual implements in Vajrayana Buddhism, symbolizes the Karma activity of the Buddhas
Buddhist Practices, Symbols, Vajrayana
The Purbha is probably the most exotically evocative of Vajrayana Buddhist symbols. The Bell and Vajra are sacred and special — but ubiquitous; the Phurba is iconic of the mysteries of higher practices in Vajrayana Buddhism. One of ...