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...
Amazing Choral Chanting of Heart Sutra Recitation: requested by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche; singers around the world
Beautiful chanting of the Heart Sutra, the request of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, to commemorate Saga Dawa Duchen — recorded on June 4-5 2020. Dozens of people chanted as a virtual choir on Zoom in an amazingly beautiful chant. Note: Heart Sutra recitation is meritorious. To chant along with Rinpoche and the Sangha,...
Avalokiteshvara’s Ten Prayers for happiness and well-being of all sentient beings chanted by Khenpo Pemo Choephel Rinpoche
Avalokiteshvara's 10 prayers for the happiness and well-being of all sentient beings, exquisitely chanted by Khenpo Pema Choephel Rinpoche (mini-biography below) — with chant lyrics in video and below (song available on Soundcloud): 10 Prayers in Tibetan (chanted version) Chinese and English JE LAMA NAMLA SOLWA DEB, GOE KADRIN CHENGYI JINGYI LOB...
Music Mantra Video: Om Mani Padme Hum wonderfully chanted by Yoko Dharma, the sacred sound of compassionate Buddha Chenrezig
Around the world, millions chant "Om Mani Padme Hum" each day. Many Buddhist children learn to chant Chenrezig's compassion mantra from very young ages. Chenrezig, also known as Avalokiteshvara (Sanskrit) and Kwan Yin (Guanyin, Kuan Yin), is the Great Bodhisattva of Compassion whose loving-kindness is iconic of Metta, Bodhichitta and love in...
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...
Avalokiteshvara: delivering us from every danger — “Bodhisattva Perceiver of the World’s Suffering”; Chapter 25 Lotus Sutra
Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin, Chenrezig, Kannon) is immediately synonymous with the word Bodhisattva — He (or She) is the quintessential Bodhisattva — the superhero savior. His fame was first well established by Shakyamuni Buddha in the 25th Chapter of the wondrous Lotus Sutra, where Buddha makes it clear that Guanyin is ready to rescue...
“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...
