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“Is there any consciousness that is constant, lasting, eternal… that will stay just as it is as long as eternity”… Nakhasikha Sutta The Tip of the Fingernail
"No, monk, there is no form... no feeling... no perception... there are no fabrications... there is no consciousness that is constant, lasting, eternal, not subject to change, that will stay just as it is as long as eternity." — the Buddha Nakhasikha Sutta The Tip of the Fingernail Translated from the Pali...
Tea Serkyem offering: Generating the merit for Compassionate Activities — especially for protection from sickness and other obstacles
In Mahayana Buddhism, we often speak the language of “Wisdom” and “Compassion” practices. Yet our frenetic, danger-filled world also necessitates “Activity Tantra,” an important “activity manifestation” of Wisdom and Compassion. Without activity, there is no progress on the path. Without activity, there is no safety for practicing. We immediately think of the...
Headed for darkness or light? Of world’s 7.9 billion people, Tamonata Sutta says there are four types of people, two headed to darkness
UPDATED: The world clock says there are now 7,875,725,034 people in this world, as of June 29, 2021 at 12:31 noon Eastern Time. Of these, according to Holy Sutra, there are only "four types of people" — two types headed to "light" and two types headed to "darkness." This isn't meant to...
The Path of Purification? No, my friend. Ratha-vinita Sutta (Chariot Relay Sutra) teaches us not to confuse the seven purifications, with the destination, Nirvana
Although our teachers often drill hard on the theme of "just practice" and "I cannot practice for you" and "the greatest offering is your practice" — never-the-less Sutra cautions us against confusing practice with our goal of Nirvana or Enlightenment. Our teachers also push hard on "purification practices": in Therevadan Buddhism often...
How spirituality and Buddhism helps seniors through difficult times; research demonstrates link to longer life
According to studies, spiritual life can enhance positive aging and health. A spiritual connection enhances the well-being of senior citizens — according to research — whether in the form of spirituality or formal religion [1]. This is aside from numerous studies citing the benefits of Buddhist meditation on health and cognition. [2]...
Kurukulla: the “Diva” Dakini of enlightened magic; the enchantress transforms seduction into ‘the cause of wisdom’
Kurukulla could be thought of as the "Diva" pop star of the Dakinis. She is like a beautiful, modern celebrity endorsing a worthy cause; she projects this divine and Enlightened beauty to attract us to the Dharma. She uses her enchanting "magic" to remove our obstacles to practice. We all need a...
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...
What Are We? The Body is the Channel — Energy and consciousness are enmeshed principles in Tibetan Buddhism
What are we and what are our limits? An answer arrives when we make contact with the nature of energy and consciousness embodiment. Energy and consciousness are enmeshed principles in Tibetan Buddhism and other contemplative spiritual traditions. Energy and consciousness are indistinguishable through the lens of unequivocal causal interdependence and the middle-path...
Mahayana Thought Training – Turning Adverse Circumstances into the Path of Awakening: An Ideal Practice for Our Times
I recently heard the Buddhist story of Devala the Dark, who was being cursed by seven Bramhans, ‘but the more they cursed him, the more beautiful, good-looking, and inspiring he became…’ This reminded me of the Tibetan Buddhist Thought Training practice, called changing adverse circumstances into the path to enlightenment. One analogy...
Karma is Not Fate: Why Karma is Empowering
Why is Karma empowering? One way of viewing Karma is as an aggregate of all of our actions, thoughts, words, dreams, desires into a user-controlled version of fate — that is you control your fate instead of some invisible higher being. Another concept of karma, aligned to both mystical sciences and scientific...
Mahayana Sutra Of The Three Superior Heaps — now, is always the right time to confess downfalls and purify them
Venerable Thubten Chodren explains the importance of the Sutra of the Three Heaps, and why it should be part of everyone's practice: "There are a variety of purification practices, The Bodhisattva’s Confession of Ethical Downfalls being one of the most popular. We all have done actions that we now feel badly about...
Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna Sutta: The Great Discourse on the Establishing of Awareness; mindfulness of body, feelings, mind, mental qualities
Perhaps the greatest teaching on mindfulness, the Maha (translates as: great) Satipatthana is a Sutta that serious meditators of all traditions reference in modern teachings. As a Pali sutta, it is an important teaching for the elder path (Theravada) — and mindfulness is a major foundational practice. In advanced Mahamudra and Dzogchen, Vajrayana Buddhist...
Buddha Weekly’s Special Section
Tara, Mother of all Buddhas
Karma Mother
How does Tara Help?
Tara, like any Mother, is ready to jump to our aid, even in mundane areas of life. She is the “practical Buddha” — the “Karma Mother” — the Buddha most active in our lives. Her Sanskrit name translates as “a star by which to navigate” — and like a star, she is always with us whenever we look for her.
Tara on YouTube
21 Taras Mantra Video Playlist
An entire playlist of every one of the mantras for the 21 Taras. Don't miss the amazing Tara mantra chanting of Yoko Dharma for the each Tara of the 21 Taras according to Surya Gupta lineage. One video with many repetitions and visualized images for each Tara. The final video is the English-translated 21 Praises to Tara sung in English.