A brief History and Simple Understanding of Buddhism
Gautama Buddha was born approximately 563 BC-483 BC. The name he was born with was Siddhartha Gautama ( Sanskrit form, or Siddhatta Gotama, Parkrit form). The name “Buddha” ( meaning …
Experiencing Buddhism
I had always been highly impressed by Gautama Buddha ever since my childhood when I first read about him in our history class in school. There was something very fairytale-like, …
Hinayana Mahayana Buddhism
With the death of historical buddha, Mahayana Buddhism split from its earlier beliefs in Buddhism, Hinayana, the lesser cycle. Hinayana sought to preserve the original teaching of Historical Buddha as …
What is the Middle way of Buddhism
Buddhism is one of the world’s great religions and is practiced by millions around the world. It was founded by the man known as Siddhartha Gautama, later called the Buddha (meaning the Enlightened One). It …
What Buddhists do in a Temple
The Buddhists do not extinguish suffering by lighting incense and candles and making pledges to supposedly supernatural things. One uniqueness of Buddhism is that it teaches moral behavior without reference …
Buddhism Precepts
In Buddhism, a precept is a principle or inner virtue by which an enlightened individual lives and conducts one’s self. Mahayana Buddhists, in addition to the ten grand precepts, also …
Non Attachment Dharma Buddhism Contemplative Spirituality
We often talk about the path of non-attachment a central concept found in the Perennialist teachings of Buddha Sakyamuni and Rav Yeshua (Jesus the Nazarene). In order to actually release …
The Ten Good Deeds in Buddhism
Buddhism’s “Ten Good Deeds” or “Ten Wholesome Deeds” are somewhat different and similar to the “Ten Meritorious Acts.” If you become familiar with Buddhism’s “Five Precepts,” then you should be …
Siddhartha Gautama the first Teaching
The first teaching of Buddha, the transformed Siddhartha Gautama is when the “Enlightened One” explained the truths he learned and the fundamentals of Buddhism. This was his first sermon with …
The Ten Meritorious Deeds in Buddhism
The ten meritorious deeds of Buddhism serve as a guide for a person who seeks a happy and peaceful life. It guides by developing knowledge and understanding of the person …
The History and Significance of Zen Gardens
Zen philosophies come from Mahayana Buddhism. The word “Zen” means meditation. The goal in Zen is to reach enlightenment through focused thinking. Zen gardens provide a place well suited for …
The Silk Road and the Spread of Buddhism
Buddhism originated in what is now Nepal around 400 BC. It was founded on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, also known as The Buddha (enlightened one). The Silk Road The …
Zen Koan Case of Hui Chaos Question
Case: A traveling monk, Hui Ch’ao, asked Master Fa Yen, “What is Buddha?” Master Fa Yen caused Hui Ch’ao to ‘drop it’ when he answered, “You are Hui’ Ch’ao.” Pointer: …
Buddhism and our Environmental Obligation
Within our society, there are certain innate concepts that every individual is equipped with. Virtues, morals, or the concept of “right and wrong” are just a few examples of such …
The four Noble Truths
The Buddhist’s way of viewing the human experience, particularly the experience of suffering as it pertains to reaching an enlightened state, require that one must embrace and accept the following …
Best Buddhist Quotations
Buddhism can be defined as the “teachings of the Awakened One.” It embodies a set of philosophies based on the teachings of Gautama Siddhartha Buddha who was born a prince …
Too Much Snow in your Mind will Prevent you from Living from Loves Truth
Parables are related to Zen koans, as are all teaching stories. Love lives in stories that are told from the energy of that same love. It is love that enlightens …
History of Buddhism Regional Varieties
Buddhism exists wherever there are sentient beings in contemplation. One need not be a Buddha to attain enlightenment. Many have come close all over the globe. Many have dwelled in …
Is Buddhism a Religion or a Way of Life?
Religion or at least the tenets of any true religion should also be a way of life. So Buddhism is both. Buddhism has components of religion but also outlines various …
Quan Yin Total Compassion and Loving Kindness
Most commonly known as the Buddhist Bodhisattva of Infinite Compassion, Quan Yin became the perfect human being through the mantra (or prayer) Om Mani Padme Hum. She is a symbol …
Praying for Tibet
As they say Tibet is the roof of the world. The Tibetans are people of peace and live in harmony with each other and the natural world around them. This …
The Dharma and its Relationship to Animals
I’d love it if you could meet at Chippy! He’s very cute. He is the guinea pig of my youngest son. Chippy isn’t full grown yet. He has a spacious …
How Buddhism Differs from other Religions
Buddhism is not a Club religion The most important difference between Buddhism and other religions is that Buddhism is not a Club religion. In Club religions when you join the …
Facts on Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion that was founded in India in the sixth century BC by Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha. The Buddha is not a God, or a messenger …
The Differences and Similarities between Shinto and Zen Buddhism
In western culture, a good majority of the population does not have a clue about eastern spirituality. There are many different religions in eastern culture; the focus of this article …
Zen Koan Carrying the Raft
Case: In China, at the base of a mountain, an impoverished young man sat in meditation in front of his hut facing a great rushing river. A monk from the …
Buddhisms Basic Principles
Buddhism is a religion with rather surprisingly few demands on behavior. This philosophy is guided by what is often referred to as Noble Truths, which actually can be distilled into …
Tibet vs China
In her article “Praying for Tibet,” the author hoopee writes that many years ago, the Chinese decided that a portion of their country could not be ruled by a religious …
Zen Koans Joshus Dog
Case: A monk decided to test the wily old teacher, Roshi Joshu, by tugging sharply at his beard with the question, “Does a dog have Buddha-nature, yes or no?” Giving …
Zen Koans Roshi Polishes Brick
Case: It is meal time at the temple’s Great Hall and a line of monks are performing ‘kin-hin’ – awareness walking – between their living areas and the Great Hall. …
Monotony Zen Repetitive Fluidity Constancy Tessellation
Furiously Zen The problem with the zen philosophy is the constancy of the fluidity. Always ready to accept what comes, always ready to live in the exact present moment, enjoying …