A feature article introducing profound Buddhist Tantra, from Jason Espada author of the book A Belief in the Miraculous. I. The Skillful Means of the Mahayana The Stages of the Path teachings [Note 1] cover the entire range of Buddhist teachings, from refuge, to teachings on liberation, to the Mahayana motivation and...
New years in Theravadan Buddhism is often called Maha Songkram (in Thailand), derived from the Sanskrit word, saṅkrānti (or, more specifically, meṣa saṅkrānti which means literally "astrological passage"). Maha Songkran means 'great Songkran — since technically there is a Songkran every month. Songkran celebrations.HAPPY Theravada Buddhist New Year April 06 2023! (varies by region somewhat 13-16th) Songkram, a time for alms, practice, fesitvals, respect, and sandcastles 1 Theravadan New...
The Three Great Bodhisattvas represent the three main focuses of Buddhist Practice — to cultivate Wisdom, Compassion and the Power of Enlightened Activity. Thought of in another way, the Three Great Bodhisattvas represent the Three Main Qualities and Perfections of the Buddha — the three qualities we need to bring into our...
Our most requested video — and most requested mantra! After watching the popular documentary video (also embedded below) many people have requested a mantra-only version. Play now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24PvrVGmdBQ Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava's mantra connects us with the Enlightened Padmasambhava. For centuries, it has been chanted for its spiritual and miraculous qualities. Bring the...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZDln4kJNSQ Why is Guru Rinpoche, the Lotus-Born Padmasambhava, considered the second Buddha of our times? Why are Padmasambhava's teachings more than just another teaching lineage in Buddhism? Why are Guru Rinpoche's teachings more akin to Quantum Physics than religion? In this Buddha Weekly documentary, we answer these questions and more — and...
Of all the Suttas, one of the most important taught by the Buddha is the Satipatthana Sutta — The Discourse on The Only Way. Although this discourse on Arousing Mindfulness is considered to be the main method of training for Vipassana, it is actually the main foundation practice of all other methods...
"Meeting Parnashavari and Hayagriva in the forest..." A readers meditative experience. Editors Note This lovely recollection of a visualized meditation from our reader/contributor Adrian Hamblin is just too beautiful not to publish. After meditating with two of Buddha Weekly's volunteer-created videos, he sent these notes (and gave permission to publish.) We've embedded...
Emptiness, Nothingness or Voidness, as English translations for Shunyata are unfortunate — and entirely misleading. To paraphrase the Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh: "Emptiness means empty of self — but in the fullness of everything else... it is because of emptiness everything is possible." Buddhism has Nothing to do with Nihilism and everything to do with Experiencing; Why "Emptiness" and "Nothingness" are poor translations of Shunyata 2 In Zen Buddhism,...
Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin, Chenrezig, Kannon) is immediately synonymous with the word Bodhisattva — He (or She) is the quintessential Bodhisattva — the superhero savior. How do we ask for the Bodhisattva's aid? Simply think of the Bodhisattva, say the name, recite the mantra Om Mani Padme Hum — or recite the sutras of...
In modern life, distractions overwhelm us from the moment we wake up until we go back to sleep. We are bombarded with visual, auditory, and sensory information, making focus difficult. In ancient times, it was perhaps easier to find distraction-free moments to practice mindfulness, especially for monks and yogis. Therefore, many masters...
The mantra of the Heruka manifestation of Amitabha Buddha — the great and glorious Hayagriva — has been called the "King of All Protections" mantra. Many Buddhist teachers have requested students recite Hayagriva's supreme mantra in troubled times. In The Sutra of Forming Hayagriva it is called "The King of All Protections"...
Palden Lhamo Shri Devi is that wrathful parent we need when we're in danger. As a child, who did you go to for protection: the parent who let you do anything and smiled while you did it, or the parent who yanked you back from the brink with a stern voice and...
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.
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.
