Buddha Weekly's Latest Features
Transforming demons; “Get thee behind me Mara!”: how Buddhism exorcises demons; transformation but no destruction
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 of saving all sentient beings from Samsara, from suffering. The demons can be seen...
Vajrayana Visualization can Generate Body Heat, Heal, and Manifest Deity Qualities Helping Overcome Ego
One of the most intriguing demonstrations of the power of Vajrayana visualization is Tummo. By visualizing heat in the tummo centre, an expert practitioner can actually meditate for hours on an icy winter day — without clothing or discomfort. In a different demonstration of the transformative power of Vajrayana meditation, various peer-reviewed clinical...
Video: In Praise of Tara, written and recited by Jason Espada — Praising the Mother of All the Buddhas
Jason Espada recites In Praise of Tara with beautiful Tara images. Don't miss this wonderful praise of the Mother of All the Buddhas. Jason Espada is well known for his Dharma Recordings.He is the author of several books on Buddhism and Dharma. [More on Jason below.] Buddha Weekly presents Jason Espada Recites...
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...
Four heroic incarnations of Ksitigarbha, the “Earth Store” Bodhisattva — unfailing, never-tiring compassion
Ksitigarbha is a bodhisattva revered by millions across East Asia — honoured by the Buddha Himself due to his "untiring limitless compassion" — and his vows to help all sentient beings. He is also popularly known as Lord Jizo (Gizo). In this feature, we explore the four previous incarnations of the bodhisattva,...
Amitabha Sutra: cutting delusions with one-pointed blissful contemplation of Amitabha Buddha and the Pure Land
"Believing in inner truth means having deep faith that the ten billions Buddha-lands (worlds) are in reality not outside our Mind." — Patriarch Ou-I To the newcomer to Mahayana Buddhism, or particularly Pure Land Buddhism, Amitabha (Amita or Amida) and his Pure Land of Sakhavati can be confusing. What do we mean...
“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...
The First Doctor: Medicine Buddha Bhaisajyaguru — Empowering You to Heal
In times of pain, sickness, or stress, my first thought of "remedy" is quiet meditation with the most sacred Medicine Buddha mantra. Inevitably, arthritis pains subsides in my case, and I've avoided most of the colds and flus that go around my business meetings— knock on wood. I give Medicine Buddha, exercise...