19 Sunday May 2013
Posted in Thubten Chodron & Sravasti Abbey, Videos
In this video, venerable Thubten Chodron uses analogies to explain periods of practice where it seems that despite much effort, nothing seems to be happening, and then everything falls into place, only to go back to thinking that nothing is happening.
15 Wednesday May 2013
The Eight Mayahana precepts is a celebrated practice within Mahayan Buddhism that is meant to help someone purify bad habits and to accumulate a wealth of merit that can support one in their practice. In otherwards, merit creates momentum that will push someone forward in their path. These precepts involves abstaining from doing 8 things for 24 hours.
The Eight Mahayana Precepts
These following 8 things are listed below:
Bringing Awareness
By avoiding engaging certain things for 24 hours, the practice does a great job of bringing awareness to our relationships to the things we are avoiding. For instance, eating one meal a day puts a spotlight on our attachments to food or attempting to not lie puts a spotlight on any habits we have regarding habitually lying on autopilot.
As Jeffrey Hopkins once stated, taking the Mahayana precepts for a day simulates what it could be like to be an Arya being, or someone completely aware of their actions of body, speech, and mind.
More about this wonderful practice
The following video by Venerable Thubten Chodron gives some insightful pointers about this practice. For information about the ceremony that is done prior to taking the precepts, and auspicious days to take the precepts, click here.
11 Saturday May 2013
Posted in Buddhist Documentaries, Videos
This interesting documentary shows the transition period for a young man living in Finland, before he moves to Thailand to ordain as a Buddhist monk. It shows his relationships with his sisters, and how everyone works through understanding and accepting his decision to leave.
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07 Tuesday May 2013
Posted in Buddhist Documentaries, Videos
Reincarnation is an interesting topic in the west in that it’s often not really covered, going against most western beliefs. For many who are new to Buddhism or even those who have been exploring it for many years, reinarnation is a topic that isn’t always easy to understand. I found some interesting documentaries that others might find interesting, who are “poking” around in this topic
View on Reincarnation Historically
This documentary covers where reincarnation sits historically in cultures, which surprisingly converged with the Greek philosophers like Socrates, Pythogoreas and Aristotle
Remembering Past Lives
A documentary that covers people who say they can remember their past lives, with researches that present arguments to try argue against them
03 Friday May 2013
Posted in buddhism in the west
With the Dalai Lama visiting Portland, Oregon later this week for the 3 day Environmental Summit, this interesting article was written about the host city, Portland. According to the article, Portland ranks 6th in the U.S., in terms of the number of Buddhist congregations per capita.
East Meets West and Growth
An interesting thing to note, is that the article points out that the growth of Buddhism in Portland is largely attributed to many western converts. In addition, the age range varies, from young adults in their 20s, to adults in their 60s, indicating a diverse group. Many congregations of other religions tend to have distinct age groups attending their services.
According to the article, from the surface, the type of practice that attracts westerners to Buddhism is slightly different, from the surface, from what Asian Buddhists engage in.
A growing interest in meditation is behind much of Buddhism’s popularity in the United States, says Sharon Suh who teaches about Buddhism and society as the Seattle University theology and religious studies department chairwoman. But Suh cites a national study that says only one in four Asian Buddhists meditate. Which means, according to Suh, that the Buddhism many converts are practicing differs significantly from the traditional Asian Buddhism, which focuses more on religious ritual.
Why Growth
The article also mentions that traditional, Asian Buddhist congregations are having trouble in attracting 2nd and 3rd generation Buddhists, while congregations made up of converts are constantly growing in size. According to the article:
The idea of a simple, contemplative life is attractive to converts immersed in a 21st century full of technology and distraction, Suh says. In addition, Buddhism isn’t demanding of its believers, she adds, and has no central authority with a chiseled-in-stone dogma. For many converts — but fewer Asian Buddhists — it is seen more as a practice than a religion, she says.
Click here to read more from the article
01 Wednesday May 2013
Posted in Thubten Chodron & Sravasti Abbey, Videos
With the intense media coverage that has occured after the Boston Bombing, one of the outcomes has becomes a greater sense of fear and discrimination. In this video, Venerable Thubten Chodron talks about ways to develop event compassion for people during this period and ways to diminish conflict between different religious organizations.
More Thubten Chodron & Sravasti Abbey Videos…
27 Saturday Apr 2013
Posted in Dalai Lama Videos, Videos
His Holiness the Dalai explains how a realistic approach to problems can bring greater peace of mind.
23 Tuesday Apr 2013
Posted in Thubten Chodron & Sravasti Abbey, Videos
In this interesting video, Ven Thubten Chodron of Sravasti Abbey gives advice on how to work with a judgemental or critical mind. She talks about possible reasons why it arises, and by understanding why, it provides a possible way to deal with it.
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18 Thursday Apr 2013
Posted in Thubten Chodron & Sravasti Abbey, Videos
Within Tibetan Buddhism, teachings on compassion often emphasize having compassion for others, rather than having compassion for one’s self. However within the context of western society, both Buddhist and non-Buddhist views on compassion have increasingly more emphasis on first having compassion for one’s self.
In this talk, Venerable Chodron talks about how compassion for one’s self can be used in Buddhist practiced rather than using it as a tool for self indulgence. She mentions that having compassion for one self can be a tool for going beyond one’s self in order to eventually have compassion for others, and why having compassion for others should eventually be the main emphasis.
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14 Sunday Apr 2013
Posted in Buddhist Documentaries, Uncategorized
Currently a documentary is being produced, based on Thich Nhat Hanh’s book: Planting Seeds: Practicing Mindfulness with Children
The film is described on their website as follows:
Children, parents, couples and educators can use the techniques and practices in the film and on the Bonus DVD (Songs, Lesson Plans, Practical Exercises) to build more harmony, love and appreciation within themselves, their families and within the classroom.
In order to have funds to complete the film and to have the resources to distribute it, there is currently a fundraising campaign. If you’re interested in donating towards the completion of the film or in general want to learn more, you can click here, and watch the video below.
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10 Wednesday Apr 2013
Posted in Tsem Tulku, Videos
Lamrim, or the stages of the path to enlightenment, is a common and praised practice within all the traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Traditionally, to higher the status of these teachings, there is often given a teaching on the greatness of the authors. While all teachings can be traced back to the Buddha, the Lamrim tradition is often traced back to Lama Atisha.
This interesting video by Tsem Tulku Rinpoche is a teaching about the greatness of the Lamrim tradition, and particularily of Atisha, the great Indian yogi and scholar that began the Lamrim tradition with his classic “Lamp of the Path.”
06 Saturday Apr 2013
Posted in Thubten Chodron & Sravasti Abbey, Videos
From an outer appearance Buddhist practice often seems filled with rituals. Among them, making prostrations is one topic people often are curious about. Questions arise, such as why do them and who are we prostrating too? In these series of videos, Venerable Thubten Chodron describes how prostrations are done in Tibetan Buddhism, and the intention and reasoning behind every movement and gesture done while doing prostrations.
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02 Tuesday Apr 2013
Posted in Dalai Lama Videos, HH Dalai Lama, Videos
In a conference in India with religious figures like Dr. Karan Singh, Maulana Wahiduddin Khan and Rev. Mpho Tutu, His Holiness the Dalai Lama engages in a discussion on promoting and embracing diversity among the different world religions, and finding commonalities within the different traditions.
29 Friday Mar 2013
Posted in Ajahn Brahm & Bodhinaya, Videos
In this interesting talk with Ajahn Brahm, he goes over 4 different ways to let go and find more happiness in life. As he explains, being able to let go and let things be isn’t something that has to be done all the time, but is a good tool in the repetoire that someone can have available in daily life.
Related Posts:
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25 Monday Mar 2013
Posted in Buddhist Education
For those that have completed the Foundation in Buddhist Thought course, looking into the the Lamrim Chenmo Correspondence course might be the next step in a journey of continual study.
Lamrim Chenmo – the graduated stage stages on the path to enlightenment, is a detailed study on training the mind towards enlightenment. The correspondence course is led based off Geshi Tashi‘s series of talks from 2005-2007, and includes recordings of teachings he has given on the subject.
Course Structure
The 2 1/2 year course is divided into 7 modules, with different reading assignments, guided meditations, and esay hand ins at the conclusion of each module. The course provides discussion support among the other participants, and each person that enrolls gets a graduated student as a tutor. A copy of the syballus can be found here.
The course itself starts up once a year, with the next enrollment period occuring in May. For those that are looking for a way to continue their Buddhist education, the Lamrim Chenmo Course is a great distance alternative.
