Buddhism

Stress and anxiety are a pandemic in our culture, especially in Western developed countries. The meditative practices of Zen Buddhism offers an island of peace, the support of others also seeking...

It's easy to see why Thailand's greatest inflow of dollars comes from tourism. Thailand, also known as the 'Land of Smiles,' is the only Asian nation which has not been conquered by foreign...

Tibetan prayer wheels, called Mani wheels, are used to spread blessings and well-being. They contain multiple copies of mantras (prayers from Medicine Buddha, Vajrasattva, Tara, Padmasambhava and...

Buddhist prayer flags are designed to send compassionate prayers on the wind to all beings. Prayer flags do not have to be Buddhist. Any prayerful intention can accompany construction of a prayer...

Tibetan Buddhist prayer flags are made with sacred symbols and Buddhist texts. Prayer flags are more than pieces of cotton with lovely pictures: Symbols and prayers on a prayer flag make it a...

Tibetan prayer flags are normally associated with the Buddhist religion. In the past several years, it has grown in popularity due to the beautiful colors and meaning. Normally each flag is...

Too many people try to meditate because they believe it will lead them to enlightenment. It is better to meditate to achieve a goal, such as making a decision about a particular situation or...

Do you want to be a Buddhist, but aren't sure what it's about, or how to do it? Don't know the basics and want to learn? Well read on.

Buddhist prayer beads, also called mala beads, are not jewelry. Rather, they are a way to count prayers or mantras in several Buddhist traditions, much like the Catholic Rosary. Buddhist prayer...

Zen meditation, known as zazen, is often referred to as 'just sitting'. You don't hold an object in your mind to meditate on or repeat a phrase over and over as you would in other meditation...

Most Buddhists maintain an altar or shrine in their homes, believing that daily offerings will help deepen their understanding and practice. A Buddhist altar must have representations of the...

The old saying "What goes around comes around" is a simple way to explain the notion of "karma." Meaning "action" in Sanskrit, karma in Buddhism means that none of our actions are insignificant;...

No matter where you go or what you do, there are people who judge you. There are petty people everywhere, belittling you with their comments or looks or sighs. Some act like you aren't even there...

Meditating is a way to ease everyday tensions. It’s also a way to reconnect with yourself, especially when you lead a busy life or have a packed schedule where you are always surrounded by...

Are you a pansy? You know-- weak-willed, passive, no backbone? Do you think you might wish you could change, but aren't even sure because you lack conviction about everything? Well this article...

To find a Zen master, you will need to find a school or Buddhist monastery that teaches the art of Zen. The difference between Zen and other types of Buddhism is that the former originated and is...

There are many "compassion mantra" chants that help remind us to be loving and helpful to other people, including the Great Compassion Mantra. In this instance, we will chant a simple compassion...

The stupa is a major symbol in Buddhism. Legends and lore abound on the specific symbolism of the stupa; it is a building style and a guideline for shrine creation, and some say the stupa...

If you admire the Dalai Lama and the way he lives you may want to find out more about Buddhism. In order to find out more about this way of life follow these steps.

The religion founded by Siddhartha Gautama Buddha, the prince turned enlightened holy man, does not consist of one monolithic philosophy. It is divided into a variety of schools which differ in...

Tibetan monks create sand mandalas as a form of meditation, but also as a way to experience the impermanence of life. The mandala is created, and then allowed to blow or scatter away naturally....

Lovingkindness, or Metta, Meditation is an important part of Buddhist practice. It is very simple to do, and has immediate effects. Lovingkindness is a powerful attribute that makes the world...

Are you interested in Buddhist teachings but unsure exactly what it means to become a Buddhist? There are many sects of Buddhism, but according to Mahayana, or Tibetan Buddhism, the definition is...

Buddhist meditation is the practice of being mindful in all you do, as you are doing it. You practice Buddhist meditation by sitting at least twice a day while staying mindful of your meditation...

The word "karma" is not new to most of us, having entered our daily vocabulary years ago. There is no one definition of what karma means. In the Buddhist sense there is a simple and a complex...