Did you know, in the United States, meditation is the second most popular body and mind practice; first is yoga? Many studies have revealed that medication has several psychological and health benefits. Meditation allows you to relax and boost your awareness whenever you feel stressed. By James Thames (Bio below.) The person...
Zazen is a type of meditation that is central to Zen Buddhism, and first taught by Shakyamuni Buddha as an insight practice — and it's good for nothing! Just sit. That is all. Don't get us wrong, it's good for you, for your mind, your health, your stress. But — the goal...
In this feature, I'll make a crazy argument — but bear with me. Wing Chun, the venerable martial art created by Buddhist Nun Ng Mui perfectly (pun intended) showcases the Six Perfections taught by Buddha: Generosity, Discipline, Patience, Diligence, Concentration, and Wisdom. One of Wing Chun's most famous students, Bruce Lee, once...
Soto Zen is virtually synonymous with Zazen and Mindfulness — especially uji (有時) translated as "Being Time." [For more on "Uji" see section below.] Soto Zen is a far-reaching, profound, and ancient path — with a particular focus on "Time Being" (mindfulness) and Zazen. In Buddhism, there as are many traditions as...
As the founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama Buddha's life story has been retold and reimagined countless times. But what about his only son, Rāhula? Born between 34 BCE and 451 BCE, Rāhula was the son of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who would later become known as the Buddha, and his wife, Yaśodharā. [1]...
The practice of Buddhism is one of the few "labeled" spiritual paths that is not in some way at odds with science. In fact, I will present the case that Buddhism is fully supportable as method and practice for even the most rational of scientists. This feature, together with several previous features...
The path to enlightenment is not a single straight line. Buddhism is a religion with many different branches, all of which have their own interpretation and practice of the teachings. Nichiren Buddhism is a branch of Mahayana Buddhism that emphasizes the Lotus Sutra and the teachings of Nichiren. If you're curious about...
Over the centuries, Vajrayana Buddhists journeyed, in their minds, to visit dazzling pure lands, filled with wondrous Enlightened Beings. Imagine, now, closing your eyes to meditate on Emptiness, and glimpsing none other than Red Tara in her form as Kurukulla. Kurukulla, the powerful manifestation of Buddha in a Female Buddha form —...
Your support helps us "Spread the Dharma!" Thank you! Written Features on Buddha WeeklyEARLY ACCESS As our thank you for your important support of the mission "Spreading the Dharma" we try to post our features as early access for you - unless the content is time-sensitive. Scroll down for some of our...
How important is choosing a tradition in Buddhism? What are the differences between "schools' in Buddhism? Why are there even differences? It can be quite perplexing for people new to Buddhism to realize that there are many traditions and teaching lineages in Buddhism — with quite different methods. Or, to use a...
As a member thank you, please enjoy this ad-free video focused on the benefits of the Pureland Buddhism practice of chanting the name and praise of Amitabha Buddha. Following the introduction of benefits is a wonderful traditional chanting of Amituofo with beautiful meditative images. Although our videos are available to all on...
Buddhism speaks in terms of "Innate Enlightened Potential" or "Buddha Nature". Cognitive Science speaks in terms of "Unified Single Mind." Emptiness, or Shunyata, is also a Oneness perception of reality. Removing "ego" from our perception results in Oneness (Emptiness) which Buddhists would say is the ultimate, true nature of reality. Unified mind...
Editors Note: This is chapter 3 in our ongoing series on the Lotus Sutra, and the first of the seven parables found in the Lotus Sutra. This is the famous parable of the burning house. In this wonderful story, a man tries to get his family to leave their burning house, and...
When Buddha decided to find a solution to suffering in our universe, one of his first acts was to cut his hair. When a novice renounces Samsaric life to become a renunciate, the symbolic representation of that mission is cutting the hair. Ultimately, if you distill the Buddhist path down to one...
In almost any "Buddhist" philosophical argument — for instance, "why should I meditate?" or "Is there a soul?" or "what happens after death?" or even, "what is the true nature of self?" — the impeccable logic of Dependent Co-Arising is the "go-to" Dharma teaching. Buddha said: "Whoever sees Dependent Co-Arising, he sees...
"Emptiness is form. Form is Emptiness" — Buddhism "Reality doesn’t exist unless we are looking at it" — Quantum Physics "The bridge flows, the water is motionless. Why?" — Zen Koan "If you are not completely confused by quantum mechanics, you do not understand it" — Quantum Physics, John Wheeler Doesn't it...
In session 1 of a Mahamudra retreat — a full weekend of teachings — Venerable Zasep Rinpoche introduces Mahamudra and guides a wonderful session that includes a guided session on Samatha Mindfulness — Calm Abiding Meditation. In session 2, Ven. Zasep Rinpoche teaches us how to rest our minds in the...
What was Guru Rinpoche's advice to his beloved consort disciple Lady Tsogyal on how to achieve enlightenment in this very lifetime? Seclusion, discipline, hard work, and the guru are among the most important. What advice would he have for us today, in this age of smart phones? Padmasambhava, Guru Rinpoche, the Enlightened...
Why do we meditate on impermanence? Why does Buddha speak so often in Sutras, on the "poison" of anger? Why do we see so many "angry" or even demonic Enlightened Buddhas in Mahayana and Vajrayana? In this feature, we discuss nine remedies for the poison of anger — from all traditions of...
Can Vajrayana tummo practice really generate body heat? Can deity practice actually heal? Are Deities real? If they are real, why do we have to visualize them? Why do we imagine deities at all? What is the process that allows our imagination to connect with the true nature of the Enlightened Deity?...
From a "bee's point of view" conservation of the earth is clearly Buddha Dharma practice. Saving bees — and our earth — is a practice of the Paramita of Metta, or loving-kindness. The discipline needed, to accomplish conservation in our personal lives, is a positive karmic act of Sila, or moral conduct....
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...
"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...
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...
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...
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 scowl? Palden Lhamo video documentary (with tea offering!) Don't miss the new Palden...
Wonderful video introduction to White Mahakala and his mantra for prosperity and generosity practices: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BddyVdHtQ70 Prosperity MANTRA Om Guru Mahakala Hari Ni Sa Siddhi Dza Compassion comes in many forms. Sometimes we need a friend. Sometimes we need a protective warrior. Sometimes, a fierce kick in the rear (metaphorically). And sometimes we...
Avalokitesvara is the metaphorical rock star of the Bodhisattvas. "Avalokitesvara, the bodhisattva of compassion, is one of the most important and popular Buddhist deities," writes Karen Andres in Tibetan Contemplative Traditions. [1] "Avalokitesvara is the personification of compassion... Even the Buddhas cannot estimate Avalokitesvara's merit. It is said that just thinking of...
Compassion comes in many forms. Sometimes we need a friend. Sometimes we need a protective warrior. Sometimes, a fierce kick in the rear (metaphorically). And sometimes we need to reduce our obstacles to Dharma practice. Chenrezig, the Lord of Compassion, emanates in countless forms to help all sentient beings, including a "good...
Hayagriva and Tara practices are only two of many practices in Tibetan Buddhism focused on averting war. Why are these two practices so effective in averting fear and strife of war — practices that endured centuries of human history marked by war? If these practices work, why is there still war? [Quick...
Compassion comes in many forms. Sometimes we need a friend. Sometimes we need a protective warrior. Sometimes, a fierce kick in the rear (metaphorically). And sometimes we need to reduce our obstacles to Dharma practice. Chenrezig, the Lord of Compassion, emanates in countless forms to help all sentient beings, including a "good...
"We are extraordinarily adept at taking refuge, the problem is we take refuge in the wrong things." writes noted Buddhist teacher and psychologist Rob Preece, in his breakthrough book, Preparing for Tantra. [1] Rob Preece explains what he means by "wrong things": "We take refuge from our stress, our emotional problems, and our...
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 scowl. When all is right with the world, we go to the smiling parent....
Thich Nhat Hanh's words, teachings and books have been a comfort and refuge for many Buddhists around the world. The great teacher's wisdom and compassion live on in his many books. Now, Parallax Press, a non-profit publisher founded by Thich Nhat Hanh in 1986, is celebrating his great legacy with an ebook...
Thich Nhat Hanh: "The notion of death cannot be applied to reality." The great teacher Thich Nhat Hanh, who passed away at 00:00hrs on 22nd January, 2022, at the age of 95, often wrote about impermanence, with an optimistic take on death: "When you look a cloud... and then later the cloud...
The great teacher, Bodhisattva and scholar, Thich Nhat Hanh — who shook the world with his message of peace — has passed away at 95, "at his home in the Tu Hieu Temple in Hue, Vietnam", announced by Plum Village. "The International Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism announces that our beloved...
"A prostration based on the perception that Buddha has a separate self from your own, and that you have a self separate from the Buddha, can only be called superstition," wrote Thich Nhat Hanh, one of the world's most noted teachers. The teacher explained that when you bow to or pray to...
What advice do you have for students who have difficulties visualizing their Yidam to help them improve clarity and stabilization? Can you speak about how to pick a personal Yidam for your practice? [Transcript below video] Note: In Vajrayana advanced meditation, the student activates the mind's enlightened qualities by visualizing him/herself to...
Bodhi Day is the precious day we celebrate Gautama Shakyamuni Buddha's Enlightenment, primarily in Mahayana Buddhist traditions. Although it is, perhaps, the most important day of the Buddhist calendar — celebrating the ultimate goal of the path, Enlightenment — it is a quiet day in most traditions. It is meant to be...
Many of Buddha's teachings focus directly on overcoming our fears. In fact, when Buddha sat under the Bodhi tree to meditate on Enlightenment, he wrestled with Mara, the personification of fear. The source of fear Most of our fear and stress derives from what are known as the five poisons (kleshas) of:...
The Buddhist tradition of Metta meditation (or loving-kindness meditation) is one of the fundamental compassion-based practices that we can turn to in this time of crisis. This practice can help us to feel greater compassion for ourselves. It can reduce our stress response and in turn, improve other markers of health such...
Zen holds a special place in the heart and mind for many, perhaps because it is "seemingly" singular in its simplicity and elegance. From single-pointed zazen mindfulness — facing a blank wall — to mysterious cyphers called Koans — "What is the sound of one hand clapping?" — Zen pursues the same...
Don't miss this beautiful visualized short guided journey into the mandala of Vajrasattva, with the long mantra and purification visualization, beautifully illustrated with the amazing art of Thomas Edwards and Laura Santi. The on-screen visualization is guided by our editor Lee Kane, and introduced with a concise but helpful 'documentary' introduction. (Time...
Deity Yoga in Tibetan Buddhism is very often misunderstood. In apparent contradiction to the implied meaning of "deity" — which is really a mistranslation of the Sanskrit "deva" — there might, in fact, be more science than superstition to the practices of deities. It's a ridiculous notion, I know, but one I...
Transcript Narrator: Over the centuries, Vajrayana Buddhists journeyed, in their minds, to visit dazzling pure lands, filled with wondrous Enlightened Beings. Imagine, now, closing your eyes to meditate on Emptiness, and glimpsing none other than Red Tara in her form as Kurukulla. Kurukulla, the powerful manifestation of Buddha in a Female Buddha...
What would it have been like to stumble on the Buddha as he sat with his first five disciples to "Turn the Wheel of Truth" and the Noble Eightfold Path? Join our editor Lee Kane as imagines the scene — beautifully visualized with a sumptuous video visualization. Come with us now, to...
Why is Amitabha Practice misunderstood by many Buddhists? What are the Ten Great Benefits of Chanting the Name Praise of Amitabha? Why is Pureland Buddhism an ideal practice for devoted Buddhists? For many Buddhists, simply chanting the name of Amitabha Buddha, the Buddha of Infinite Light, is a complete mindfulness and devotional...
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The Lankavatara Sutra is an important text to both the Zen and the Cittamātra (Mind Only) Schools of Mahayana Buddhism. Although there are many important concepts and themes in this sutra, we will explore only two in this brief essay. Commentary by Eddie Sobenes Full English translation of all chapters of Lankavatara...
Science and Buddhism are often harmonious. Buddha taught the benefits of meditation more than two-thousand years ago. Today, medical professionals, scientists and psychiatrists almost universally endorse the tangible benefits of meditation. All the mechanisms for realizing these specific benefits may not be known, but the tangible and objective results certainly are. In...
What is a mala? Why is a mala special? What difference does it make how many beads, the size of beads or the color? Does a mala have to be blessed? How do you use it? Ask a Zen or Chan Buddhist, and the practitioner casually say, "It's just for counting, nothing...
Metta and Karuna — Love and Compassion, respectively — are two of the three foundations of Buddhist practice. The third is "Shunyata", the wisdom of Emptiness. Loving Kindness and Compassion has been called, together, the "most important practice" in Buddhism. In this short teaching video, H.E. Venerable Acharya Zasep Tulku Rinpoche answers...
Rebecca Li, Ph.D. is a Chan Buddhist Dharma teacher and founder of the Chan Dharma Community. In her new book Allow Joy into Our Hearts she takes on the question of how to "find ways to allow joy, kindness, and generosity to fill our hearts in the midst of suffering. Read a...
“The person who clings to nothing of the past, present and future, who has no attachment and holds on to nothing — that person, I call a Holy Person.” — The Buddha Cited from Dhammapada 421 As with all Dhammapada quotes, this is a very tight and rich "soundbite" with many nuances...
In the third of our quotable quotes (#inBuddhasWords) — verified quotes with citations to Sutra — we draw from the Vissuddhi-magga, Path of Purification (S I 53): He who is possessed of constant virtue, Who has understanding, and is concentrated, Who is strenuous and diligent as well, Will cross the flood so...
In Buddha's Words is a new series of "quotable quotes" from the Buddha — but cited with their source. Many Buddha Quotes and inspirational quotes online are "made up" or not verified with sutra/sutta references. We will pick the best of the "verifiable" inspirational quotes and cite the actual source — in...
Sometimes we need the gentle mother or father to guide us. We often need a best friend to console us, pat our back, pick us back up and inspire us to work harder. Or, we might need the strength of a warrior to help us. Other times we are best helped by...
Happy Guru Rinpoche Day! - How and When to Celebrate the 10th of the lunar month Read More about Happy Guru Rinpoche Day! - How and When to Celebrate the 10th of the lunar month Video: Samantabhadra’s King of All Prayers Dharani chanted in Sanskrit - a complete Buddhist practice with all...
I saw a sparkling moment of real Doggy Dharma last weekend. At a Medicine Buddha retreat, a nice couple brought along their beloved 15 month-old pup. My kind teacher, Zasep Tulku Rinpoche, smiled as they lifted the pup for a blessing after the teachings. I had brought along my bell and vajra...
Can dogs walk with us on the path to enlightenment? In 2018, about 85 million families in the U.S. owned a pet, 60.2% of which were dogs. Faithful, kind, forgiving; compassionate words associated with dogs. They are the true embodiment of unconditional love — man’s best friend. However, Buddhists believe dogs also...
In Buddhism, we tend to use the word "practice" for our meditation sessions. Contrary to the cliche of the seated vajra-posture, eyes half-closed in contemplation, most "practices" involve activities: prostration, sutra or mantra recitation (speech), drumming, chanting, chiming, performing mudras — even dancing. In Zen, these activities might include sutra recitation, fish...
In two recent Buddha Weekly advice videos, teacher Zasep Tulku Rinpoche explained that mindfulness meditation and loving-kindness meditations were among the best therapies for bereavement, stress, cognitive issues, memory loss, and even Alzheimer's. (Bereavement Video>> and Cognitive Video>>) Perhaps not surprisingly, peer-reviewed medical studies may corroborate this claim made by Buddhists for...
In this age of "fake news" it's interesting to note that "fake teachings" are a recurring theme in the Buddhist Sutras, especially in the Sutras featuring a Bhikshu named Arittha. A better word, might be "misinterpreted" teachings. Today, the viral nature of social media propigates various interpretations of the Buddha's teaching — especially with regard...
Editor: Many are familiar with David Michie's international bestsellers, including his wonderful The Dalai Lama's Cat series and numerous books on mindfulness, meditation and Buddhism (now in over 25 languages). One of my personal favorites is the thriller The Magician of Lhasa, an epic thriller spanning decades, and seamlessly blending the adventures...
In Western culture, most people are afraid to think or talk about death. Death has become a symbolic hypothesis that no one discusses until the time comes. But what if I told you that death in itself is not scary? What if I told you that thinking about it could make you...
An Introduction to the Stages of the Path Teachings A little over a thousand years ago, a king in Tibet saw the decline of Buddhism in his homeland and decided to invite a great scholar from India, by the name of Atisha, to his country. When Atisha arrived in Tibet, he saw...
"Tara is without a doubt the most beloved female deity in Tibetan Buddhism, revered for her swiftness in helping those who rely on her... Of all the Buddhas, Tara is the most accessible." — from Tara in the palm of your hand, Venerable Zasep Rinpoche For Tibetan Buddhists, Tara is among the most of popular meditational...
Student life can be very demanding, but that doesn't mean that students should let stress and anxiety take over. Sometimes college experience conjures up pictures of sleepless nights before exams, at other times – nonstop partying. Regardless, many students use college as an opportunity to explore a new, healthy lifestyle that they...
Buddha taught the truth of suffering — a truth not unfamiliar to those who suffer from depression. He also taught a simple, non-religious method to treat our suffering. Some of us, who might not be "clinically" depressed — or might have symptoms of depression due to Covid-19 or other stresses — might...
Have you noticed how the Dalai Lama projects authority through laughter, with his charming chuckle and warm smile at every stop, in every situation? He's always ready with the joke that makes large crowds gasp for breath as they laugh. This isn't just an act of empathy with the people around him....
Do you feel silly when you turn to “mantras” for healing? Do you think meditation is healthy but not necessarily healing? Does it seem impossible to expect results from meditating on the Medicine Buddha? To chant or not to chant? — that is the question. To Pray or not to pray? To...
“All beings are Buddhas, But obscured by incidental stains. When those have been removed, there is Buddhahood.” — Third Karmapa Rangjun Dorje [4] Buddha Nature (Buddha Dhatu) is one of the most important and inspirational foundation understandings in Mahayana Buddhism — possibly the most important. The symbol of the Lotus — while...
Why is Tara so beloved among Mahayana Buddhists? Why do we turn to Green Tara first, when we need help? Even an advanced yogi who practices a profound Yidam is likely to call out to Tara first in times of need, stress, or fear. It is easy to understand why. Tara, like...
In these uncertain times, we can still find ways to practice, improve and grow. This pandemic has affected every aspect of our lives. Although finding inspiration and motivation is never easy, Buddhist Refuge and practice can help us both cope and grow in difficult times by encouraging us to practice, learn, be...
The top fifty feature articles or pages on Buddha Weekly website in the last 30 days, linked to feature stories: 1. Home - Buddha Weekly: Buddhist Practices, Mindfulness, Meditation — 34,6921. 2. 8 Rights: The Noble Eightfold Path — the Heart of the Buddha's Teaching - Buddha Weekly: Buddhist Practices, Mindfulness, Meditation...
"A picture is NOT worth 1000 words” when it comes to Buddhism. Buddhism is an oral tradition, handed down by lineage to written sutras and written tantras. The words transcend any images that might arise from their messages. [For visual examples, see the section below: Examples in Sadhanas vs Thangkas.] When we...
The Noble Eightfold Path distinguishes itself from many teachings in its positive, affirmative nature. Many spiritual teachings consist of dont's: don't do this, don't do that. The Noble Eightfold Path speaks in positive, warm terms. Implied within the concept of "right" might be its opposite — "wrongs" — but Buddha taught self-empowerment,...
Did you know that sound has healing effects? Tibetan singing bowls are being used for more than 3000 years now and it is believed that these singing bowls can help reduce stress and induce relaxation. In this article, we will see how Tibetan singing bowls affect our body and whether these bowls...
Buddha taught three key principles of the Buddha Dharma path, summarized elegantly in "The Discourse that Set the Dharma-Wheel Rolling" as forty life-inspiring verses. [Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta. The full text as verses in English translation are below. This concise version excludes some of the lengthier narrative commentaries.] This sutra sets out the fundamental...
Numerous medical research studies support the concept that faith and spirituality are "good for your health." Although many mistake one for the other — and they have some things in common — faith and spirituality are quite different. They both contain the idea of developing a relationship with a higher understanding or...
By Anne Green The Scientific Buddhist examines Dharma from the point of view of science. Do you have a topic idea?The Science Of Your Center: The Vagus Nerve, Your Meditation Highway, And The Parasympathetic Nervous System; How Meditation Works Positively on the Body 1 Buddhism is known for its emphasis on meditation and meditative techniques. People from all walks of life have used Buddhist techniques to ‘relax’ and ‘de-stress’, despite neither...
Purposelessness, stress, anxiety, and depression are common in our modern world. However, most people ignore their root causes. Why are most people unhappy? According to Thomas Moore, the answer to this question depends on the Buddha Nature or soul. Everyone has Buddha Nature or soul that needs to be taken care of....
In the quest for Enlightenment, the "swift" lightning path is Vajrayana. The key reason it is the fast path is its step-by-step structure — with teachings organized carefully into proven systems. One of these is Lamrim — the lamp of the Path. H.H. the Dalai Lama explains why the step-by-step approach is...
In our interview with author Kimberly Brown, the popular meditation teacher describes "Practices of Resilience and Wisdom in a Crisis" — all the more important in these times of COVID-19. Buddha Weekly is also pleased to publish an excerpt chapter "Not Harming is Helping" from her popular book Steady, Calm, and Brave:...
Coping with the Monkey Mind — a meditation term indicating an "unsettled; restless; capricious; whimsical; fanciful; inconstant; confused; indecisive; uncontrollable" mind — is one of the biggest obstacles to meditation and mindfulness practice in Buddhism. The monkey mind disturbs peaceful reflection and creates endless obstacles to mindfulness practice, and, although it sounds...
"Where the mind goes, the body follows" is an ancient unattributed wisdom saying — although it is credited to Arnold Schwarzenegger in modern times. Arnie was probably paraphrasing a quote often attributed to Zhang San Feng, the Taoist monk who developed the martial art Tai Chi: "The chi flows where the mind...
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...
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...
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...
It's unlikely you'll be levitating off the ground any time soon — even if you undertake millions of prayer wheel spins — so what did the great Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava mean when he wrote: you will "be able to attain mystic powers... eliminate immeasurable karmic obscurations" in teachings on Prayer Wheels? We...
Today, in this time of fear in the face of a pandemic — fear has become top of mind, again. It's easy to say, "I can't live my life in fear" and then pretend to go about your business. But, even if you bravely brush the fear aside — in the background...
If you practice meditation, you can probably vouch for its wide array of health benefits, as meditation has the ability to improve your concentration, relieve stress, lower blood pressure, and put you in the right mindset to take on your day. That’s one of the main reasons why it’s common for most...
As we adjust to the new short-term realities of social distancing and isolation, many of our teachers are recommending home retreat while we have this time alone. Buddhist retreat is often an aspiration for many of us, due to busy work schedules. Now, many of us have time — but there is...
Excerpt from a feature by teacher Theodore Tsaousidis. Editor's note: Theodore is a profoundly impactful meditation teacher, popular in Ontario, and always has precious insights. Although this excerpt is from 2011, we are publishing here with permission because it seems as fitting today, in these difficult times as it did back then....
Around 563 BCE, Siddhartha Gautama sat under a massively branching Bodhi tree for days — until he achieved the "awakened" intellect of a Buddha. Bodhi literally means "awakened," and today, an "ancestor" of the great tree in Bodh Gaya — where Buddha became the "Enlightened One" — is called the "Maha-Bodhi" tree...
Meditation can offer many benefits to people of all ages, including students. Daily practice will help students to remain healthy and improve their wellbeing. Here are ten reasons why meditation is worth the time and effort. 1. Improved Focus and Academic Performance One of the key benefits of regular meditation is that...
In some Buddhist cultures, children learn to chant mantras before they learn more common speech. Mantra, sacred sounds, are often considered protective and healing, or even life-changing. They are commonly used by Buddhists and Hindus, and — arguably — other religions who make use of "chanting." It seems almost silly to accept the...
Parents are more open to different methods and techniques to educate and train their children — especially to balance the negative impact of technology and internet. To help kids reach their full potential, one of the best and proven methods that can help children is meditation. By Mike Zhang of FamilyLifeShare.com What...
What are the Buddhist books or texts a beginner should read to know more about Buddhism? It is a frequently asked question, and this article contains 9 books that explain the basics of Buddhism — from the point of view of different traditions — as well as some of the more in-depth...
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yt.innertube::requests
never
This cookie, set by YouTube, registers a unique ID to store data on what videos from YouTube the user has seen.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Cookie
Duration
Description
CONSENT
2 years
YouTube sets this cookie via embedded youtube-videos and registers anonymous statistical data.
vuid
1 year 1 month 4 days
Vimeo installs this cookie to collect tracking information by setting a unique ID to embed videos to the website.
_ga
1 year 1 month 4 days
The _ga cookie, installed by Google Analytics, calculates visitor, session and campaign data and also keeps track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognize unique visitors.
_gat_gtag_UA_*
1 minute
Google Analytics sets this cookie to store a unique user ID.
_gid
1 day
Installed by Google Analytics, _gid cookie stores information on how visitors use a website, while also creating an analytics report of the website's performance. Some of the data that are collected include the number of visitors, their source, and the pages they visit anonymously.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Cookie
Duration
Description
__cf_bm
30 minutes
This cookie, set by Cloudflare, is used to support Cloudflare Bot Management.
