Vajrayana

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Shabkar’s Song of Practice: the entire path, from refuge to generation to completion in one song by one of the great sages of Tibet

Two aspects of Compassion: Amitabha and his wrathful heruka emanations Hayagriva.

Compassion, Wisdom and Power as Buddha, Bodhisattva, Heruka and Dakini — the most important aspects of practice as Enlightened beings

H.E. Garchen Rinpoche teaching with spinning prayer wheel in right hand.

Inspired by Kyabje Garchen Rinpoche, Holy Land Prayer Wheels personalize Tibetan Prayer Wheels: interview with Micha Strauss

Vajrakilaya close up feature image.

Vajrakilaya: put a peg in it ! — Cutting the three poisons with the sharpest weapon: destroying ignorance, greed, and hostility with profound Vajrakumara

The great yogi Shabkar. zhabs dkar tshogs drug rang 'grol (1781-1851).

Shabkar “the greatest yogi after Milarepa” (Dalai Lama) becomes the object of his disciples attachment — from his autobiography

Close up detail face of Prajnaparamita, Wisdom Mother.

Prajnaparamita Yum Chenmo, the Face of Perfection: Wisdom Personified, “Emptiness is Form” Manifested: Great Mother of Wisdom

Chakrasamvara Heruka and Vajrayogini are also Highest Yoga Tantra practices. Vajrayogini is an emanation of Tara.

Tsog dates 2022 on Western Calendar: and, the meaning of Tsog (Tsok) — the non-ordinary blissful offering

From Buddha Weekly's Vajrasattva visualization video (embedded below) — one of the many "yogas" we engage in with our Yidam practice is self-generation as our chosen Buddha form.

“Awaken the seeds of our innate wisdom” or Buddha Nature — embodied in the Yidam: “Conscious realism” and the profound Vajrayana

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Tara the Windy Liberator, the Mother, the Activity Heroine: “Green Tara functions throughout our world” the activity of all the Enlightened Ones

Prayer flags are ubiquitous in the Himalayas. Printed on them are usually a windhorse, surrounded by the four auspicious ones — Garuda, Dragon, Tiger, Snow Lion — with prayers and mantras. The wind carries the blessing to world.

In Praise of the Vajrayana – A Brief Introduction to Buddhist Tantra

Parnashavari appears in the forest. This is a visualize scene in Buddha Weekly's Parnashavari Mantra visualization video. Reader Adrian had two visualized experiences after watching this video and meditating on the mantra.

Parnashavari Meditation Experiences — and meeting Hayagriva (What I experienced meditating with Buddha Weekly videos)

MInd, thought by many theorists to be separate from the brain, is often described as a field, similar to a gravity field.

Visualization Activates the Mind; Mindfulness Stills the Mind — Which is Right for Your Buddhist Practice?

Mandala offerings are very active forms of veneration and meditation.

Mandala Offering: offering “everything to the Buddha” — purify karma and accumulate merit daily

Advanced teachings, such as Chod, and other Vajrayana practices, require a teacher due to the precise, delicate and powerful nature of their impact on mindstream. Zasep Tulku Rinpoche practicing ancient Chod to benefit all sentient beings.

Chod practice: offering yourself to all beings, the ultimate expression of bodhichitta

One concept in Buddhism is Shunyata, various described as Emptiness or Oneness. When the ego is removed, there is oneness. When the ego is introduced, phenomenon arise from the observer (with the ego).

Bliss helps us understand Emptiness without nihilism: Vajrayana develops faster insight through the balance of bliss and emptiness, compassion and wisdom, mandala and deity

Naropa has a vision of Vajrayogini. In the background is his retreat cave.

Padmasambhava: “the source of accomplishment is the Yidam”; Yidam is systemized practice, not just a “deity”

The fearsome power of great Vajrapani, who is always ready to "beat down" the obstacles to our practice.

Vajrapani, the “Hand of Buddha” defeats the poisons : pride, anger, hate and jealousy

Parnashavari is the 20th Tara emanation of the 21 (some traditions) and is "Supreme healer" emanation of Tara.

Healing Parnashavari — Tara’s Healing emanation: specialist in Contagious Disease, Illness, Pandemic: How to practice her mantra and sadhana

Scene from The Matrix. "There is no spoon."

Deity Yoga: Science or Superstition? Vajrayana Deity Meditation Proves Invaluable in Preventing Cognitive Disorders. In What Other Ways is Vajrayana Buddhist Deity Practice More Science than Religion?

The complex visualizations required in Vajrayana meditative methods, which can include holding detailed images for long periods of time, dramatically and immediately improve cognitive ability according to research from NUS.

Science: Research Indicates Vajrayana Meditation Techniques Involving Deity Visualization Improve Cognitive Performance and May Be Promising For Degenerative Brain Disorders

Black Mahakala is the most iconic of the wrathful Enlightened Deities. He is a ferocious emanation of the Buddha of Compassion Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig.

Wrathful Deities: The First Responders in Meditation; the Psychology of Fearsome Enlightened Buddhas

Monks prostrating.

The Foundation Practice of Prostrations: Humble Bow, a Method to Connect with Buddha Nature; the Psychology of Buddhist Prostrations

Practicing generosity creates positive karma. Here, a kind lay-Buddhist gives alms to three monks who, like the Buddha, eat only before noon and only from food given to them. Merit for good deeds is an intuitive concept in karma.

Wealth Deities: Generating Karma for Prosperity by Practicing Generosity. How to Reconcile Renunciation with Wealth Practices in Buddhism.

12-armed Ganesha or Ganapati, also known as Maha Rakta Ganapati, remover of obstacles.

Why is Maha Rakta Ganapati recommended by some Buddhist Teachers as the remover of obstacles, the protector of prosperity?

12-armed Red Ganapati is a treasured practice in Tibetan Buddhism, known for bringing auspiciousness and removing obstacles.

Buddhist Ganesha: popular Ganapati’s many forms include enlightened Yidam, protector, and “bringer of success”…

Detail of a painting of Tara 1, Heroic Red Tara, by V.V. Sapar of the first Tara in the Surya Gupta sytem. In the background is the Lotus Face of Avalokiteshvara. (Full image below in the feature.)

Mother Tara’s many-armed protective embrace: 21 Taras according to Surya Gupta — with 8 videos and mantras and stunning art

The face of the glorious Buddha Tara in her Green Chittamani form by Ben Christian (Jampay Dorje)

Meeting Green Tara Face-to-Face: How to Visualize the Deity by Artist and Teacher Jampay Dorje

Nagas emerging from a sacred lake, painting by Russian artist Nicholas Roerich.

Venerable Zasep Rinpoche Teaching: Buddhist Naga Practice is Helpful to Heal Environment — Full Sadhana Translated

The covers of David Michie's Tibetan Buddhist Thrillers The Secret Mantra and The Magician of Lhasa.

Exclusive: read two chapters from international bestselling author David Michie’s new Tibetan Buddhist thriller “The Secret Mantra”

Green Tara's kind face. Tara is known as Tara the Rescuer.

Mama Buddha Tara: Compassionate Action; Stories of Green Tara the Rescuer — How She Can Help You

Buddha-Weekly-White Tara Video long life practice guided meditation series title-Buddhism

White Tara long life practice video with special 5-colors protection light guided visualization from Venerable Zasep Rinpoche

Library of Kagyur Tibetan Buddhist Sutras and Tantras.

A Picture is NOT worth 1000 Words — the Buddha Dharma is a Tradition of Words — A Guide for Those Who Can’t Visualize (Aphantasia)

Guru Rinpoche, the Quantum Buddha. Padmasambhava's eight emanations represent eight Quantum energies.

The Quantum Buddha Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava: the Second Buddha who turned the Vajrayana Wheel of Dharma

Lovely statue of the great sage Lama Je Tsong Khapa.

Lama Tsongkhapa: A Short, Powerful Practice Helps Bring Compassion, Wisdom, Good Fortune, and Healing

Om Mani Padme Hum, the great compassion mantra of Avalokiteshvara.

Music Mantra Video: Om Mani Padme Hum wonderfully chanted by Yoko Dharma, the sacred sound of compassionate Buddha Chenrezig

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Kurukulla: the “Diva” Dakini of enlightened magic; the enchantress transforms seduction into ‘the cause of wisdom’

You visualize your own body as hollow, the nature of divine light, and in the centre of your chest you visualize the HRI seed syllable. The HRI syllable symbolizes your consciousness.

What Are We? The Body is the Channel — Energy and consciousness are enmeshed principles in Tibetan Buddhism

Buddha-Weekly-Video Long Life Prayer Zasep Rinpoche-Buddhism

Immortal Rain Long Life Prayer to Venerable Zasep Rinpoche from HH. Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche

H.E. Garchen Rinpoche teaching Dharma. Dharma events, Dharma content online, Sutra and Dharma study are all methods of meditating on the Dharma.

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…”

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Into Lucid Dreaming — going deep with Dream Yoga; helping touch the enlightened state of awareness

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Why the Buddha is Regarded as the Supreme Healer; plus, a daily healing meditation anyone can practice.

In Medicine Buddha practice we imagine healing light from the Lapis Lazuli Light Medicine Buddha entering our body, healing us. How does this imaginative visualization help us? Is this the real healing energy of Medicine Buddha, or our own mind triggered by the visualization? Or both? Ultimately, it is both, and ultimately, it doesn't matter.

Buddhist healing: strengthening health, helping others — downloadable text from Jason Espada: A Collection of Buddhist Methods for Healing

Buddha taught that the unanswerable metaphysical questions were unimoportant to the practice of Buddhism. Clinging to notions of time, soul, eternal life and so on create attachments rather than help us overcome them.

Is there room for the supernatural in Western Buddhism? Four sutra views of magic and metaphysical and why a supernatural perspective helps “see beyond ordinary perception”

Happy Losar 2020, Year of the Iron Mouse.

HAPPY LOSAR: TASHI DELEK! 2020 is the Year of the Iron Mouse: May All Beings be Happy.

Detail of one of the 21 Taras according to the Surya Gupta tradition, where each Tara manifests with different iconography.

Part 2, Surya Gupta 21 Taras: meditating on virtuous body of Tara; distinct embodiments of Tara’s Compassion and Wisdom

V. V. Sapar working on the one of the 21 Taras canvases, a commission from Dzongsar Rinpoche. This Tara is Tara 3 Golden Colour Tara Kanaka Vana Tara Ser Mo Serdok Chen Ge Drolma.

Interview: master artist V.V. Sapar discussing his 21 Taras project for Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche — art as a spiritual practice

HAPPY GURU RINPOCHE Day and Tsog.

“When you recognize the nature of mind, fabrication and effort are naturally freed” — Guru Rinpoche Happy Guru Rinpoche Day!

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The bridge between science and Buddhism, atoms and no atoms, theism and athiesm; Yidam deity meditation and the Cognitive Science of Tantra

Jampay Dorje (Ben Christian) at work on a Green Tara Thangka, which is now available for downloads and as prints on his website at JampayDorje.com.

Painter and digital Thangka artist Jampay Dorje aims to bring “Thangka painting into a modern era” with spectacular art, lessons for students, and a life-long project to illustrate all of the 11 Yogas of Naropa

Cover image by Ben Christian, from the book Gelug Mahamudra: Eloquent Speech of Manjushri by H.E. Zasep Rinpoche.

Review: Gelug Mahamudra Eloquent Speech of Manjushri by Zasep Tulku Rinpoche; making the profound and complex meditation method concise and clear

Giant statue of Padmasambhava

Tantra Helps “Stop Ordinary Perception”, and is the Fast Path to Enlightenment. But How Do Modern Buddhists Relate to Deities?

Buddha-Weekly-Geshe Thubten Sherab feature -Buddhism

BW Interview with Geshe Thubten Sherab: Skillfully Teaching Traditional Tibetan Buddhism for Western Students

2019, starting Feb 5, is the Year of the Earth Sow (Female Pig.)

Losar: What’s in store for the Earth Sow (Female Pig, 2019) New Year? Planning for Lunar New Year should begin early

The great Yogi Shabkar.

Songs of the great Yogi Shabkar: every being is mother; absolute nature is my friend; luminosity is my entertainment; my homeland is the Dharmakaya

Home retreat may be an ideal practice during times of social isolation.

How a Home Retreat Helps Busy People Manage Time and Save Money; How to Do It, and Why it is Necessary

Buddha-Weekly-White Heruka Vajrayogini Long Life Practice Feature Image-Buddhism

Long life practice: White Heruka and Red Vajrayogini: Annutarayoga meditational deity prolongs life

Lapis Lazuli Medicine Buddha is an aspect of Shakyamuni Buddha that is famous for healing meditations.

Video Medicine Buddha Retreat, part 1: open self-healing weekend with visualization, mantras and teachings with H.E. Zasep Rinpoche

The great yogi Shabkar.

Great Yogi Shabkar’s checklist for advanced practice: his teacher’s letter asks all the right questions

Buddha-Weekly-Powa Practice-Buddhism

Video Teaching: Amitabha Amitayus Powa teaching and guided meditation — transfering consciousness to the Pureland when dying or as a practice for “healing the mind.”

Om Tare Tuttare Ture Soha is Green Tara's mantra. Green Tara is the rescuer, the mother of all the Buddhas and of all beings — Wisdom is mother — and she is known for her quick action on behalf of those who call her name for help.

Video: chanting Green Tara by Yoko Dharma; from our guided meditation series, Green Tara images and mantra to empower your practice

Milarepa closeup

Milarepa explains happiness in the story of nettles: “A small rigid cushion beneath me: happiness; mind that gives up examination: happiness”

Buddha-Weekly-H.E. Venerable Zasep Tulku Rinpoche-Buddhism

Teaching video: Why is it important to state Bodhichitta motivation and dedicate the merit of practice? answered by H.E. Zasep Tulku Rinpoche

Mantra video: Refuge in the Three Jewels sung in Tibetan by Yoko Dharma. Also the Four Immeasurables chanted in English.

Taking Refuge in Buddha, Dharma and Sangha and the Four Immeasurables sung by amazing Yoko Dharma with video visualizations

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Broken Commitments: 3 Teachers weigh in on practice “overload” and breaking Vajrayana practice promises. What do we do about it?

Venerable Zasep Rinpoche teaching at a Tara weekend using the commentary book, Tara in the Palm of Your Hand, as a reference.

Tara Book excerpt and teaching: Who is Tara and how can She help us? An introduction to Tara, Karma, Shunyata, Dependent Arising, and Buddha Nature by Venerable Zasep Tulku Rinpoche

According to some accounts, one of the reasons then-President Richard Nixon denied aid to Tibet was an image of Yamantaka in union with his Wisdom Consort. The horns might have been too much for that era, but equally the "sex" played a role.

What’s with all this consort union in Tantric Buddhism? No, it’s not about sexual fantasies. The psychology of Yab-Yum consorts, union of wisdom and compassion

Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron

“Preliminary practices… clear and enrich our minds, allowing practice to progress smoothly” — Thubten Chodron. Why Ngondro is a lifetime practice, and a “complete path”

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Reviving the genuine Dharma ritual art traditions: an interview with Vajra artisan and craftsman Rigdzin Pema Tuthob

Zasep Tulku Rinpoche teaching Mahamudra in Ontario. Rinpoche is an internationally respected teacher, spiritual head of several meditation centres in North America and Australia.

“Mahamudra is ultimately about trying to experience absolute truth” — and Helping Your Mind Get to Know Your Mind: Teaching Retreat Notes, Zasep Tulku Rinpoche

Buddha-Weekly-Zasep Tulku Rinpoche happy at Medicine Buddha event-Buddhism

Purifying Negative Karma Advice Video: How to Purify Obstructions and Defilements with Vajrasattva Practice and Other Buddhist Meditations, Answered by Venerable Zasep Tulku Rinpoche

Incense is a form of honor and worship in Buddhism and other religions

Scientific Buddhist: Why Incense is More Than Just a Pleasant Backdrop to Meditation; Research Reveals Brain Health Benefits

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The Lightning Path of Buddhism: The Power of Yidams

Offerings (Tibetan Water Offering Bowls) in Lamayuru gompa (Tibetan Buddhist monastery). Ladadkh, India.

Buddhist Water Bowl Offerings as an Antidote to Attachment

A Buddhist monk shares a tender moment with a dog and monkey.

Prominent Scientists Declare “All Non Human Animals… Are Conscious Beings.” The Dalai Lama Protests Chicken Slaughter. An Orangutan Won Non-Human Rights Over Zoo Keeper. What Do the Teachers Say About Non-Human Compassion?

His Holiness the Dalai Lama at a teaching.

Practice Overload and Too Many Commitments: Advice From the Teachers — Don’t Become a Spiritual Materialist

When we visualize Buddhas and deities in Tibetan Buddhism we see them as "the nature of light and energy".

Medicine Buddha Sutra: video audio recitation of full Sutta — listening or reciting is a very empowering healing practice

Happy Birthday to His Holiness Sakya Trizin!

Biography and Birthday: His Holiness Sakya Trizin, Celebrating Decades of Teachings

Zasep Tulku Rinpoche with a student at a Mahamudra event in Owen Sound, hosted by Mindfulness of Grey Bruce.

Much More-Than-Six-Words of Advice — Mindfulness of Body; Anger; and Healing Through Meditation (Mahamudra Teachings Session 2)

Rinpoche's sense of humour and anecdotes engages his students.

Venerable Zasep Tulku Rinpoche: A big smile, easy humor, unforgettable teachings

The much revered Guru Lama Yeshe. The second st

Why is Following a Guru Difficult to Accept in the West? Why is it Important for Vajrayana Practitioners to Find an Enlightened Teacher?

Giant statue of Padmasambhava

Seven Line Prayer to Padmasambhava

Like the Dalai Lama, lamas, gurus and teachers of any legitimate lineage can help guide those who seek enlightenment. In Vajrayana, the teacher is important.

How I Found the Right Teacher of the Dharma

Vajrayogini-1500

Empowerment Was Important to Me

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