Buddhism 108: Much more than the number of beads on a mala
Buddhist Symbols and Implements
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 ...
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, Buddhist Symbols and Implements, Mahayana, Vajrayana Buddhism and Practices
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 ...
“Yoga for the west” How Tarot can map to almost any spiritual path — including Buddhism — as meditative art. Part 2 of a series
Buddhist Symbols and Implements, Meditation
"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
Bodhisattvas, Buddha, Buddhist Practices, Buddhist Symbols and Implements, Vajrayana Buddhism and Practices
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 ...
Transforming demons; “Get thee behind me Mara!”: how Buddhism handles demons; from mindfulness meditation to transformation — but no exorcisms
Buddhist Living, Buddhist Practices, Buddhist Symbols and Implements
The great Yogini Machig Labdron. 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; ...
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, Buddhist Symbols and Implements
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, Buddhist Symbols and Implements, Vajrayana Buddhism and Practices
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 ...