The thangka paintings of the life of the Buddha depicts key episodes in the life of Siddhartha Gautama, known as Gautama Buddha. These major events are traditionally called within the Mahayana sources the “Twelve Great Deeds of the Buddha’s Life” (མཛད་པ་བཅུ་གཉིས་, dzepa chunyi in Tibetan). The Twelve Great Deeds of the Buddha’s Life: Descent from Tushita heaven. Entering the womb …
The Boudhanath Stupa, locally known as Khasti (खास्ती) in Nepali language or Boudha Stupa, in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal was built hundreds of years ago and carry with it a long history that is an important part of the story of Nepal and of Buddhism in the Himalaya. In these rare photos collection of the stupa we can witness this great monument as it looked in the past and see the transformation the entire Kathmandu valley went through. Still, even though many years as passed, it seems that the stupa itself stood strong and changed very little over the years.
One of the most popular spiritual sites in the entire world is Lumbini, the birthplace of the historic Lord Buddha Shakyamuni.
Regardless of where you live or where you’re from, you have probably seen the “Laughing Buddha” at one point in your life. It is a statue, generally gold, that has a description of a portly bald man laughing on it. But what (and who) exactly is it and what is the meaning of The Laughing Buddha?
Manjushri in Buddhism is the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. Manjushri’s name means ‘gentle glory’ or ‘sweet glory’ in Sanskrit. He is recognized as the ‘gentle-toned or sweet-voiced one’ and the ‘Lord of Speech, thus also known as Manjughosha and Vagishvara, respectively. His mantra comprised of the syllables Om Ah Ra Pa Tsa Na Dhi.
Located in Andhra Pradesh in India, the Amravati Stupa is an exemplary relic that displays the best work of the Buddhist school of architecture. It is 65 kilometers away from the city of Vijayawada and attracts hundreds of pilgrims, followers, and tourists from India and across the world every year. While the radiant monument doesn’t need any sidelines to enhance the look, the placement of it on the banks of the River Krishna adds a lot to its charm and glory.
The Jetavanaramaya is a Buddhist stupa and at 122 meters (400 feet) is ranked as the world’s tallest stupa and the third tallest structure back when it was originally built almost 1700 years ago. It is believed to have been built at the site where the last rights of Hinda Maha Thero were performed. Hinda, a revered figure in Sri Lankan history, is the monk who first brought Buddhism to the island.
Guru Rinpoche (the Precious Guru), also known as Guru Padmasambhava (Lotus born), is a seminal figure in Buddhism, instrumental in the establishment of Vajrayana Buddhism in Tibet in the 8th Century CE. Praying to Guru Rinpoche is believed to help in the development of inner power, and the removal of bad karma and suffering.
Vajrasattva, is the main deity employed for purification by practitioners of all levels of tantra. Vajrasattva also goes by Dorje Sempa རྡོ་རྗེ་སེམས་དཔའ་, meaning “diamond being”. Vajrasattva meditation is the primary cleansing practice recommended by Vajrayana Buddhism. It is also used to purify any broken vows made by a disciple to their tantric master. Going beyond personal practice, the Vajrasattva mantra is believed to purify karma, bring peace, and instigate enlightened activity on a wider scale.
Green Tara is regarded as the mother of all Bodhisattvas, a lover of all sentient beings. She is associated with enlightened activity, helping people pass beyond earthly existence. Green Tara grants refuge from all things which may obstruct, or cause trouble. She also embodies many qualities of the ‘feminine’, known as the mother of mercy and compassion, giving relief from bad karma.
