Buddhisms -an overview
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Buddhisms - a guide
What is the aim of Buddhism
 attainment of total peace of mind
end to pain, anguish, dispair, suffering
Self-realization of the ultimate truth
its goal is Nirvana -true reality realized
the Eightfold Noble Path is the path, the means to this end.
Buddhisms ideas are based on the teaching of Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as The Buddha, who lived in Northern India at the foot of the Himalayas in the 6th century BCE. Rejecting his luxurious upbringing, Siddhartha set out as a wandering ascetic, suffering severe physical hardships as part of his religious practice. Eventually Buddha rejected this extreme path , choosing what he called the "middle path" to enlightenment and freedom from life’s pain. The word Buddha means a Supremely Enlightened One or Fully Awakened One
What is the emphasis of Buddhisms
seeing Truth, knowing and understanding it.
come and see but not on come and believe, no blind faith
rational, requires personal effort and dedication
each individual is responsible for his or her own actions
individual study observation of truth inside each person
Buddhism advocates no dogmas, no creeds, no rites, no ceremonies, no sacrifices, no penances
The paths are not a system of faith and worship but the concious walking of an individuals path to supreme enlightenment.
What Buddhism is not:
does not believe in God
does not advocate blind faith
does not absolve you from taking responsibility for own actions
does not condone violence, hatred, suffering
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Journals
August 26
th 2004
Tibet Monk Puja
Puja, I have often
heard that word yet have not been quite sure what it means. I knew within
of buddhisms that Buddhist monks had them, but not sure whether it was a
form of meditation or prayer. Today I got to chance to partake in a puja
and learn more about it.
Puja is a ceremony
in which prayers are offered to the Buddhas to request their blessings or
invoke their help. Pujas are performed to avert or clear three types
of obstacles, conditions which prevent us from achieving our worldly or
spiritual goals.
* worldly obstacles
- daily life, relationships, finances
* inner obstacles -
health and mental state
* secret obstacles
- obstruction attainment of innate wisdom
This of buddhisms ceremony started with some deep voice chanting and moved on for about 1 hour through various tibetan chants with accompanying musical instruments. Powerful energies were created by the unison of sound that the monks emmitted, voices that carried me deep inside myself. We were invited to meditate to the sound of the monks chanting and it was quite amazing how my body followed the rhythm even though I was completely unfamiliar with the system.
One of the monks handed out vajras
This is a buddhisms awareness tool which felt amazingly powerful in my hand. I was reluctant to hand it back at the nd of the Puja as I felt very drawn to its energy.
Each Vajra is handcrafted by Western Monks, the designs are all based on natural Geometric Forms like the tetrahedron, Octahedron, Dodecahedron, Icosahedron, Star-tetrahedron, the 51% Pyramid and the Circle>
The Vajra combined with the Soul Therapy Music provided creates a true healing and sacred space for Meditation and Self healing that also Heals the Planet Geomancy
For me , to partake in a group meditation/prayer was again a powerful experience. Somehow energies are always manifold, there is strength in numbers and the calmness and serenity these buddhist monks were emitting brings me right back to my own center. Just watching their purposeful manner, kind and gently articulation, yet determined stance, is a joy and priviledge to witness. Spiritualities carry many names yet once again ,unity can be found when given a chance.
buddhisms |
Further Buddhisms resources
Buddhism Symbols and Cliparts
The Eight Auspicious Symbols - A Study in Spiritual Evolution
Buddhas Posters
Buddhisms Mandalas
Bhuddhism not simply a religion but a way of life -
Tibetan Foundation
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