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Articles from sylvia smelcer | Selfgrowth.com
- The History of Buddhism in Tibet - by Submitted on Aug 10, 2011 from sylvia smelcerBuddhism has been the official religion of Tibet for almost 2,000 years. Originating in India approximately 2500 years ago, it migrated to Tibet in 170 AD, but didn’t take hold until the reign of King Songtsen Gampo, when he declared it the official religion of the country in 641 AD. The ...
Views: 987 - The History of Prayer Beads in Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam - by Submitted on Aug 10, 2011 from sylvia smelcerNobody is certain when people began using prayer beads, but they’ve been employed in almost all religions for thousands of years. Prayer beads are used by Buddhists, Hindus, Christians, Muslims and many other religions. One reason for using prayer beads is that they allow people to keep ...
Views: 2583 - How to Meditate Using a Buddhist Japa Mala - by Submitted on Aug 10, 2011 from sylvia smelcerTibetan prayer beads, or malas, are strings of beads that have been used by Buddhists for thousands of years to help count prayers, which are known as mantras. Buddhist malas are usually composed of a circle of 108 beads which are used to complete 100 repetitions of a mantra. The extra 8 beads ...
Views: 2710 - How Prayer Beads are Used in Various Religions - by Submitted on Aug 10, 2011 from sylvia smelcerPrayer beads have been used for thousands of years in a wide variety of religions, including Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam. Devotees use prayer beads to help them focus on their prayers or mantras. The fingering of the beads brings one back into focus when the mind begins to ...
Views: 2104 - Prayer Beads in Tibetan Buddhism - by Submitted on Aug 10, 2011 from sylvia smelcerTibetan prayer beads are called malas (also called japa malas), which translates in Sanskrit as garland. Most Tibetan prayer beads have 108 beads, but some have 21 or 28 beads, which are used when doing prostrations. In 108 bead malas, 100 of the beads are counted as the practitioner recites ...
Views: 1564 - Prayer Flags and Tibetan Buddhism - by Submitted on Aug 10, 2011 from sylvia smelcerPrayer flags are believed to have originated with the Shakyamuni Buddha, who had prayers written on flags that were taken into battle to protect the warriors. The traditional Bon religion of Tibet, which was in effect before Buddhism, also employed prayer flags in which important symbols were ...
Views: 1426 - Silver Jewelry Making in Tibet - by Submitted on Aug 10, 2011 from sylvia smelcerTibet has a long history of making hand crafted silver jewelry which dates back thousands of years. In medieval times, other cultures wrote of the wondrous skill of Tibetan silversmiths, who were believed to be some of the most accomplished in the world at that time. Chinese documents dating ...
Views: 1126 - A Comparison of Tibetan Buddhism and Hinduism - by Submitted on Aug 10, 2011 from sylvia smelcerMany people confuse Buddhism and Hinduism, but they are two very separate and distinct religions. They do however have some similarities, such as the belief in karma and reincarnation. Since the Buddha lived in India and was originally a Hindu, it’s understandable that the two religions would ...
Views: 6178 - The Eight Auspicious Symbols in Tibetan Buddhism - by Submitted on Apr 04, 2011 from sylvia smelcerThe Eight Auspicious Symbols, or Ashtamangala are present in Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism and Sikhism. The specific symbols can vary between each faith. The Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism are the Conch Shell, the Lotus, the Wheel, the Parasol, the Endless Knot, the Pair of Golden Fishes, ...
Views: 1324 - The Kalachakra Mantra - by Submitted on Apr 04, 2011 from sylvia smelcerThe Kalachakra Mantra symbol of Buddhism is complex and comprehensive. It is also referred to as the “Tenfold Powerful One”. It is thus named because it consists of ten different parts. This ancient symbol is made up of a mantra of seven syllables surrounded by a ring of fire. Above and to ...
Views: 9662 - Tibetan Buddhist Tingsha Bells - by Submitted on Apr 04, 2011 from sylvia smelcerTibetan Buddhists often use tingshas during their meditation practices. A tingsha is a pair of small cymbals connected by a strap. Tingshas are used in prayer and rituals, and produce a clear, high-pitched tone when struck. A tingsha is a relatively small instrument, usually measuring between ...
Views: 4255(1 vote) - The Mandala Set - by Submitted on Apr 04, 2011 from sylvia smelcerA mandala set (or Dultson Kyilkhor in Tibetan) is a tool used by Buddhists, Hindus, and Jainists in their offering ceremonies. The mandala set represents the mind and body of the Buddha, and can grant practitioners great power. The Sanskrit word mandala means “circle”. Mandala sets are often ...
Views: 1628 - The Endless Knot - by Submitted on Apr 04, 2011 from sylvia smelcerThe Endless, or Eternity Knot is one of the “Eight Auspicious Symbols” of Buddhism. The other seven symbols include the: Conch Shell, Lotus, Parasol, Pair of Golden Fishes, Victory Banner, and Treasure Vase. The Tibetan phrase for Endless Knot is dpal be'u, and its Sanskrit name is shrivatsa. ...
Views: 19305 - The Dorje Vajra - by Submitted on Apr 04, 2011 from sylvia smelcerThe Vajra, or Dorje is a Buddhist symbol representing the nature of reality. Vajra is a reality wisdom, wisdom of equanimity, and all-accomplishing wisdom complementing at the other side. The significance of the symmetry of this symbol is to illustrate the unification of relative and absolute ...
Views: 2063 - The Mahakala Buddha - by Submitted on Apr 04, 2011 from sylvia smelcerThe Mahakala Buddha is a Dharmapala, or “protector of dharma”, who resides in the fourth hierarchy of deities, and is most associated with the Vajrayana Buddhism. Mahakala’s Sanskrit meaning comes from its roots of “Maha”, or “great”, and “kala”, meaning “black”. Tibetans generally tend to ...
Views: 1299 - Using Prayer Beads in Religious Practice - by Submitted on May 18, 2010 from sylvia smelcerWhile there are many differences among the various religions of the world, there are some aspects of similarity among them as well. This can be commonly seen in the prevalence of prayer beads worn or employed in the worship of various religions. Prayer beads are incorporated in the worship of ...
Views: 1573 - Singing Bowls in Buddhism - by Submitted on May 18, 2010 from sylvia smelcerSome may say that Buddhism is a minimalist religion since it does not employ the volume of icons and items found in other religions. But, to assume there are not items associated with the practice of Buddhism would be an inaccurate assessment. Depending upon the type of Buddhism one is ...
Views: 1652(1 vote) - What are Prayer Flags? - by Submitted on May 18, 2010 from sylvia smelcerWhile many have the impression that Buddhism is a religion not known for its icons and symbols, this is not an accurate assessment. There are many components to the worship of Buddhism that are integrated into its worship. One such item is that of the prayer flag. In fact, so common is the ...
Views: 1761 - The Green Tara and White Tara - by Submitted on May 18, 2010 from sylvia smelcerWhile we often do not think of gods and deities when we think about Buddhism, the fact remains there are symbolic gods and goddesses in certain modes of Buddhist practice. This is most evident in Tibetan Buddhism where the Goddess Tara appears frequently in symbols and images. Those interested ...
Views: 2467(1 vote) - Prayer Wheels in Tibetan Buddhism - by Submitted on May 18, 2010 from sylvia smelcerTibetan Buddhism is somewhat unique in the sense that it integrates a variety of prayer items into its process of worship. One such item is that of the Prayer Wheel. As more and more people are becoming interested in Tibetan Buddhism, additional interest continues to grow in the peripheral items ...
Views: 1883(1 vote) - Dogs in Tibetan Buddhism - by Submitted on May 18, 2010 from sylvia smelcerAmong all the animals in the world, it is the faithful dog that evokes the most positive emotions in people. Being pack animals, dogs are known for their loyalty and allegiance to their masters. These animals can also prove to be faithful companions when times are tough. As such, there is a bond ...
Views: 2033(1 vote) - The Essentials of Buddhism - by Submitted on May 18, 2010 from sylvia smelcerA topic along the lines of the essential of Buddhism is something that could take many volumes to cover. That is because there is a great deal of complexity associated with the religion of Buddhism. However, there is a certain irony present here as well. Namely, Buddhism is a very simple ...
Views: 1585 - The Lotus in Buddhism Practice - by Submitted on May 18, 2010 from sylvia smelcerThere are 8 Auspicious Symbols in Buddhist art and the Lotus Flower is one of the most prominent. In fact, you could credibly claim that the Lotus Flower is the most well known of all the symbols. It is commonly featured in artwork because of its deep rooted connection to the notion of ...
Views: 1671 - Zen Buddhism and Meditation - by Submitted on May 18, 2010 from sylvia smelcerSurely, you have seen images of the practitioners of Buddhism sitting in the lotus position. Those familiar with such a posture are undoubtedly aware that when practitioners are in such a position they are meditating. Without a doubt, meditation can be considered one of the most vital components ...
Views: 1585 - Wisdom and Buddhism - by Submitted on May 18, 2010 from sylvia smelcerWhen it comes to the connection between Buddhism and wisdom, it would not be accurate to say that the path to wisdom is found exclusively through Buddhism. However, it would be accurate to say that a life spent practicing Buddhism would make you a wiser person. You would definitely achieve such ...
Views: 1437 - Tibetan Buddhist Meditation - by Submitted on May 19, 2009 from sylvia smelcerTibetan Buddhist meditation has a long history, but not as long as the history of meditation itself. Buddhism was a branch of Hinduism and so meditation was practiced in Hinduism before it was practiced in Buddhism. Buddhist thought is that there are three things one must accomplish before ...
Views: 1542 - The Kalachakra Tantra and Mantra - by Submitted on May 19, 2009 from sylvia smelcerThe Kalachakra tantra has been held sacred and preserved in both India and Tibet for over 2500 years. The Kalachakra tantra helps purify the body and mind. Kalachakra literally means, Time wheel or Time Circle. Some sections of the Kalachakra tantra have been lost over time, but the beginning ...
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