The Five Strengths and Powers or pañcabalā in Buddhism — the qualities conducive to Enlightenment: faith, energy, mindfulness, concentration and wisdom 1 Siddartha leaves the palace. Buddha used the "Chariot" as a teaching metaphor for the Five Strengths. The Chariot is a vehicle, in the same way Mahayana Buddhism is the Great Vehicle. The Five Strengths are analogous to "faith" is the axle, "energy" is the reins and the horse,...
When life is hard, just breathe.Buddhist Mindfulness Techniques to Ease Work Burnout 2 Dealing with work stress is challenging, as it causes internal turmoil mentally and emotionally. Instead of allowing it to seep into other aspects of life, it’s important to look inward. Practice these Buddhist Dharma mindfulness techniques to ease work burnout. By Beth...
Since the time of Shakyamuni Buddha, the Dharma Drum has been a central, vital and indispensable practice method. The drum beat tells us "Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!" Wake up your sleepy mind. Wake up your clouded, obscured mind. Wake up to Enlightenment.What does the drum symbolize? Does the sound of...
Chanting and disciplined ritual is still important in many schools of Zen. Here, Zen students chant with the famous "fish drum."Waking up the Mind in Buddhism! The Zen of Drumming for a Wakeful Mind and Mindfulness with the Wooden Fish Drum's Unique Sound 3 Mokugyo are instantly recognizable by their entirely unique and pleasant penetrating sound that almost seems to hypnotize with its intensity. The use of the fish drum...
Living with chronic pain can be a struggle. Even with medication, it can seem like nothing helps. It’s not only the spot in pain that feels hurt — the mind is suffering just as much dealing with it while trying to find ways to escape. Mindfulness for pain management is a powerful...
By Sanathavihari Bhikkhu (Bio at bottom of feature.) Sanathavihari BhikkhuA Theravadan monk explains how Buddhist mindfulness and clinical therapeutic mindfulness are complimentary — but not the same 4 As a Buddhist monk, I have some misgivings about the way in which mindfulness is understood and used today. My biggest concern is the misunderstanding of mindfulness, which can often lead to the abuse of it. Allow me...
Our society is rife with stress, competition, fear, and commercialism – yet we're at a time when spirituality has become a buzzword. On one hand, there’s definitely an increased need for spiritualism in a stressful environment, but there still seems to be a disconnect here. While we may be on the right...
We often lack the focus necessary to become aware of all of our experiences and genuinely comprehend what we desire in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Although mindfulness necessitates ongoing work, it requires a specific sort of effort, natural and effortless, similar to meditation. It's merely a matter of noticing...
It is often said that Buddhist and martial arts practices are complementary — and sometimes even analogous in method. This may be because both emphasize discipline, mindfulness, and compassion. The relationship between martial arts and Buddhism has a long history, at least stretching back to ancient India, and later to its association...
