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If you really take the time and do the research, the answer to this question is going to surprise you. Most believers in Christianity and Hinduism rarely take the time to do any research outside of their particular religious belief system. Someone asked Eleanor Roosevelt," Do you believe in reincarnation?" She replied with something like this," I don't think that it would be any more difficult for me to imagine showing up in this lifetime as it would be to show up in another." Don't quote me word for word on this, but Eleanor Roosevelt said something like this. Think about this for a moment, does it make more sense to believe in Krishna or Jesus? If I lived in India and my mother and[..]

Yoga is an ancient form of spirituality that originated in India. It is deeply connected with the religious beliefs and practices of Hinduism and other Indian religions. Apart from providing spiritual solace and mental relaxation, yoga also helps in regulating physiological balance and improves physical fitness. Yoga is practiced worldwide in the form of asanas or postures. There are a variety of postures in yoga that help in coordinating movement and breath. These postures also provide self-care during pregnancy and prepare for labor and delivery. Below are details certain benefits of yoga during pregnancy. Cat Pose: Cat posture is beneficial for the spine and lower back. Pregnant[..]

Are you currently acquainted with yoga? Well I have heard from a lot of people that yoga has its own way of making the body work at its the best possible state. The health and fitness benefits of yoga have long been claimed by experts and via scientific research. But first I'd like to give you short details concerning yoga. Yoga derives from a Sanskrit word which implies "union" happening between the mind, body and spirit. It originated in India in which there is a physical and mental discipline together with meditative practices of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Give yoga a try and discover what it can do for your body, your mind, and your soul. 1.It relieves stress - By engaging in[..]

Of the many saints who lived and taught in Varanasi, the name of Kabir Das towers above the rest for his revolutionary thoughts and preaching's as early as the 1440 AD. Legend has it that a Muslim weaver couple of Varanasi found an infant beside a lake in Kashi(Varanasi) and named him Kabir. Though some people believed him to be the son of high caste Brahmin who had cast him away. There is no concrete evidence on the exact place of birth of Kabir or who were the original parent's? Nevertheless, Kabir Das was revered equally by the contemporary Hindus and Muslims. Saint Kabir Das was a mystic poet whose work had a marked influence on the Bhakti Movement. His work is also included in the[..]

Tattoos (also known as Body Art) have become mainstream with the younger generation. Tattoo designs range from intricate pictures, to simple prayer messages written in Mayan, Aztec or Sanskrit. These old languages have become favorites among tattoo designers because they blend well with common tattoo designs and the character styles are considered "cool". Modern tattoo designs are seen as one of the highest forms of individual expression. They express freedom, individuality, and spirituality. Often, different tattoos will be used to mark special events in an individual's journey. Sanskrit tattoo designs, compared to other tattoo designs, are quite intricate. This is one of the reasons[..]

Madonna has lived in the limelight for over a decade. She succeeded in adapting to her constantly changing environment and even succeeding in making her environment adapt to her. Back in the 80's, Madonna first came out, clothed in leather and accessorized with bows, lace, fishnet stocking and religious effigies draped her neck. The virginal rebel was an instant hit, with platinum locks, a beauty mark and a vocal range what was not to like? Her fashion sense was a slew of edgy plus girly an effective eye catcher. Madonna was like the seasons, her music and changed to fit her lifestyle more than needing to fit into other people's lifestyles. She was a hit because she brought fashion onto[..]

chiren is a form of popular Buddhism. Its founder, Nichiren, was a monk of militant and nationalistic spirit. He taught that one should have absolute faith in the eternal Sakyamuni Buddha, that the only true doctrine was the teaching of the Saddharmapunฺdฺarika sutra, and that peace and happiness both of the individuals and of the nation could be achieved only by the practice of this true teaching. Its followers are taught to keep devotion to the Sutra and to turn the teaching into practice by repeating the words: Namu Myo Horengekyo - Homage to the Lotus Sutra of the Wonderful Law. Nichiren attacked all other sects by declaring their doctrines and practices to be false and[..]

Sanskrit tattoo designs are the number one fashion accessory within pop culture.Top celebrities without fail seem to sport a Sanskrit Tattoo design in preference to any other picture or symbol tattoo. Due to this fact tattoo shops now sport many tattoo designs based on the Sanskrit language and beliefs. Pop into any tattoo shop and ask which designs are available and without fail Sanskrit Tattoo designs, dreamcatcher tattoo designs and others will be amongst the first mentioned. As we all know any good business will always reflect and try to offer what its customers want, that after all is the every essence of good business. So what are the three main reasons that Sanskrit Tattoo designs[..]

These days, tattoos and body piercings are considered cool, and are fairly mainstream. Foreign and older alphabets are frequently used when designing a tattoo, for their ability to add an exotic flair to a favorite phrase or motto. They can blend well with other tattoo designs, depending on their character styles and shapes. Among these are Aztec and Sanskrit tattoo designs. Modern tattoos show off vibrant colors, and elaborately designed depictions of famous icons and neo or tribal art. There are also newer alphabets that can be observed in pop culture. The Japanese Kanji alphabet is also used in popular tattoo designs. However, people find them to be so common. Tattoos are very popular[..]

Meditation has been around for hundreds of years. However, in order to understand which kind of meditation is meant for you, first you need to know about meditation and what do you want to attain from it. There are different types of meditation meant for different purposes. From eliminating stress to establishing connections with religion, meditation can help you with anything by its various techniques. Some types of meditation can also help us achieve physical fitness. In order to be certain which type of meditation is best for you, you need to understand what meditation actually is. - Definition of meditation: The art of meditation aims at achieving mental peace and calmness of the[..]

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is one of the famous holy pilgrimage of Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. Mount Kailash is famous as the abode of Lord Shiva and is situated amid picturesque landscape at an altitude of 6,740 meters above sea level. It is located entirely in Tibet's boundary in Western Tibet and is also a source of the four rivers namely Sutlej, Indus, Brahamaputra and Karnali. It is said that a water stream flows into a nearby lake from Mount Kailsah, from where these four rivers originate. The river originating from the Lion Mouth moves to North direction, from Horse Mouth to the East, from Peacock Mouth to the South and from Elephant Mouth to the West direction. Legends and[..]

Tibetan healing is an ancient healing method that originated in Central Asia. This method is based on Buddhist beliefs and uses natural and organic medications to enhance physical and mental health of patients. This method of healing is great for those, who want to lead a synthetic drug free life. Tibetan method of healing does not cause any negative side effects too. Tibetan healing is effective in curing many problem problems as it addresses the root cause. According to Tibetan beliefs, if the balance and flow of energy in the body is not equal, the person suffers from illness. It also believes that the human body has the capacity to heal on its own, if assisted in regaining energy[..]

Thailand is the world's 51st-largest country in terms of total area. Thailand is the most-populous country, with approximately 63 million people. About 80% of People are Thai, 10% Chinese, 3% Malay and the rest are minorities from Mons, Khmers & hill tribes. Ethnic Thais form the majority, though the area has historically been at migratory crossroads, and has thus produced a degree of ethnic diversity. More than 94% of populations are Buddhist. India, China and many other western countries are considerably influenced by Thailand’s traditions and cultures. Bangkok city can be a center for commercial, industrial, political, cultural activities. Thailand is very famous for vacation[..]

Meditation is a form of art which is invaluable for improving your physical health and relieving stress. There are different forms and techniques of medication and any of them can help you in feeling refreshed. Meditation is a process that does not have to involve sitting cross legged over the floor or perform any exhausting breathing ritual. You also don't have to empty your mind in order to meditate. Meditation is basically an art of relaxing while staying awake and allowing the mind to get away from the daily chaos and confusion we all live within. There are different ways in which one can meditate and various techniques are taught by varying counselors, religious groups, alternative[..]

As we arrived at Angkorjust before the sun We saw a tremendous array of colorbegin to surface just below a Cimmerian sky. Black shadows covered ancientcollimated spires ...while exotic deities could be seenchiseled into extraordinary stone. A warm summer breezebegan to driftslowly down the pike. Yet, all of this was occurringas Thai and Cambodian forceswere clashing at Preah Vihea. Certainly this was an ironic tribute ...to the Lord Buddha Siddhartha Sakyamuni. Actually, this poem was created from my imagination. I had the good fortune to meet a woman from Shaghai named, Zhao Yan Xia. She encouraged me to rent a bike to ride with her to Angkor Wat. Unfortunately, my finances were so[..]

Meditation is the self-employed practice of relaxing the body and calming the mind by reflecting deeply on a subject. Some of its core health benefits are that maintains ideal blood pressure, and relives stress and tension. Buddhists meditate using different kinds of meditation techniques to develop mindfulness and concentration that transform their quality of life. There is no magic, no mysteries or any stimulant used in Buddhism meditation. It is self reliant and deals only with the reality of everyday life and human conscience. The condition of life where a person is in serves as the reason for meditation and does not need any special instrument. It does not also involve any rites or[..]

Kandy is one of Sri Lanka's finest cities, and a major tourist destination, located in the heart of the island and in the centre of the hill country. Kandy city is the essence of Sri Lankan culture, famous for the Temple of the Tooth and many other temples and rightly called as the cultural capital of Sri Lanka. Kandy has a rich history, and today it is one of Sri Lanka's seven UNESCO World Heritage sites. The city name is derived from the word Kanda in Sinhala, meaning a hill. The best time to visit the city is during the late July/ August for the huge cultural pageant Esala Perahera. This pageant has one of the most colorful processions in the world being taken out here. The 10-day[..]

Early in the Buddhist tradition, we don't find statues or images of the Buddha, but Shrines. Holy places that are connected with the presence of the Buddha. These Shrines were associated with events or objects that were connected with the Buddha's life. These Shrines made possible the early Buddhist tradition of pilgrimage. How are you going to worship at a Buddhist Shrine? Buddhist worship is very similar to the worship you would find in the Hindu tradition. You make offerings to the image: fruit, flowers, incense, sometimes a candle. Another important thing to do is simply to see the image. In classical Indian worship, one of the things that you do is to go to the image, look at it,[..]

For travellers staying in Tokyo, the Mt Fuji, Lake Ashi and Bullet Train Day Trip is a must. This involves a coach trip to the Fuji Visitor Centre, almost 2500 meters above sea level (depending on the weather). Lunch is optional, and can be enjoyed at the Japanese, Chinese, Western or Italian restaurants, with beautiful views. After lunch, a cruise along Lake Ashi and a ride on the cable car both promise spectacular views of the landscape and of Hakone National Park. However, guests are advised not to get too relaxed as their trip back to Tokyo is on the Shinkansen - Japan's super express bullet train! Amusement parks are a major attraction in cities such as Japan and China. In fact,[..]

It is often argued that Buddhism is not a religion because they don't believe in a supreme creator god. But, is it really like that? What did the Buddha say? The Buddha was a man like you and me, he didn't claim to be a god, nor he wanted to be worshiped like one. Anyway, after his death, many followers started to worship him and objects associated with him to get favor. This is one of the ironies of Buddhism, the man taught not to worship is worshiped. Buddhism is seen by many as a philosophy. These people have to know, however, that the majority of people who call themselves Buddhists practice it as a religion. They worship statues that represent greater powers and make rituals to get[..]

What if God, politics and the Kama Sutra are not mutually exclusive? Stay with me here. What if God, in his infinite wisdom actually gave Buddha the Kama Sutra? Much like he gave Moses the Ten Commandments? What if we only applied the Kama Sutra to politics? If you haven't read the Kama Sutra, here it is: The Kama Sutra "Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. Do not believe in anything because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers or[..]

a statue is often used as a tool for meditation. Buddha statues are symbols of Buddhism's founder Siddhartha Gautama, who taught us that by eliminating all desires from our lives we are able to reach Nirvana. This is a state of existence where suffering does not exist. When one has achieved Nirvana the cycle of rebirth and death ends. The key to achieving that Nirvana is mental discipline and the ability to comprehend and follow the eightfold path. Buddha statues come in a variety of poses and styles from the more classical Tibetan and Nepali Buddha statues to the whimsical laughing Buddha also known as the happy Buddha. Meditation, dispelling fear, teaching pose, reclining Buddha, and[..]

1. Pineapple: The Pineapple has always been synonymous with hospitality and used as a gesture of friendliness across the Caribbean. Pineapples, locally grown and a dietary staple in the islands, were traditionally hung outside the houses of Carib Indians as a sign to welcome visitors. This practice was adopted by Colonialists who carved pineapples onto the entrance of their plantations to welcome visitors. As an aside, the Pineapples of Eleuthera, an island within the Bahamas, are known to be the sweetest and juiciest of all. 2. Palm Tree: Apart from the obvious meaning of a tropical vacation, the palm tree has a historically religious meaning. Palm branches can be seen throughout[..]

An Amulet/Good Luck Charm meaning "an object that protects a person from trouble", is a close cousin of the Talisman, from the Greek, which means "To initiate into the mysteries", consists of any object intended to bring Good Luck and/or protection to its owner. Potential Amulets include: gems or simple stones, statues, coins, drawings, pendants, rings, plants, animals, etc., even words said on certain occasions, - for example - Namo Tassa Bhagahato Arahato Samma Sambuddhasa, are used to repel evil or bad luck. Amulets and Talismans vary considerably according to their time and place of origin. A religious amulet might be the figure of a certain god or holy monk. In Thailand one can[..]

Over the last few months hundreds of thousands of people have reached out with genuine concern and hard cash towards the people of SE Asia. The tsunami was no respecter of a person's religion in an area where Muslims and Christians, Hindus and Buddhists, have been killed or traumatised. Our respective religions are an integral part of our self identity but so is the common spirituality that we share as human beings. Surely now is the time to reach out in a new way, with the same love and respect, in order to get to know one another better. Integral to this process is getting to know more about our different religions and learning how to honour each one. We need shared sacred space to[..]

Zen Buddhism is rooted in the Chan sect of China and its two principle sub-sects Linji (Jap. Rinzai) and Caodong (Jap. Soto). The tranquility sought by practitioners is embodied in the White-robed Kannon, a Bodhisattva Image of compassion seated informally on a rocky crag beside a turbulent ocean. Images such as these, often jump to our minds when we hear the word Zen. While many of us may not be disciplined enough to follow the path, we can ensure that we are in touch with it by practicing Zen Home Decorating. Like the infinite universe that surrounds us, there are myriad ways that we can make use of Zen Home Furnishings. Many admire or enjoy the act of gardening in accordance with[..]

Dances of Universal Peace uses dance as a means of reconciliation and fostering peace. Dance can express all human emotions and lead to transcendental states. The Dances of Universal Peace are Sacred Dances which do not require any musical or dance experience. The sessions are about taking part and are not a performance. There are no special costumes. Comfortable clothes are the only requirement. The setting for the dances should have a peaceful, sacred feeling. A session begins by everyone joining hands and forming a circle with the Dance Leader and musicians in the middle. The Leader then teaches the words, music and movements. The background history associated with that particular[..]

Our sadhana (daily prayers) might take up an hour each day. But the time that we are actually thinking, acting and associating with others makes up the other 23 hours of the day. These 23 hours are much more important than the one hour we're doing our sadhanas. As we are doing our sadhanas, we are reciting prayers so we cannot say many negative things with our speech; or we are thinking about a Dharma subject so our minds are focused on something positive. We also cannot do much harm with our bodily actions because we have to keep still while we are doing our prayers. To some degree, most of our body, speech and mind are focused on the Three Jewels and on prayer. But when we are out of[..]

"Understanding Qigong: Small Circulation" with Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming is the fifth DVD of a remarkable six DVD set on Qigong. The series is a fantastic resource for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of this ancient Chinese practice. This volume focuses on the theory of Small Circulation Qigong meditation, which can improve your general health, and is a fundamental step in the practice of spiritual enlightenment meditation. This DVD contains some complex material. Dr. Yang explains a lot about anatomy and difficult theories, and you won't be able to absorb everything in just one viewing. This DVD also includes a little about the differences between Daoist and Buddhist practices. It's[..]

Finding one's life purpose and deepest life intentions can help one to move with greater focus and clarity every day of one's life. There are many ways to find and develop life purpose and intentions. The meaning of life constitutes a philosophical question concerning the purpose and significance of human existence. The concept can be expressed through a variety of related questions, such as Why are we here?, What's life all about? and What is the meaning of it all?. It has been the subject of much philosophical, scientific, and theological speculation throughout history and there have been a large number of answers from many different cultural and ideological backgrounds. This suggests[..]

Of the many of types of yoga, the most well-known is the Hatha Yoga. This is the most popular simply for the reason that most people often associate this type with the general yoga practice. Also, hatha is one of the best types of yoga that provide the basics to the practice. It involves the basic yoga poses and movements, as well as the fundamental breathing techniques. The movements are slow paced and gentle, making this type really perfect for the beginners. There is also the Kundalina Yoga which pays much emphasis on breathing techniques which are executed along with proper physical movements. It is this type actually which is more focused to the aim of freeing energy in the[..]

The oldest religion on this planet is Hinduism. It has no beginning and this religion moved ahead with recorded history. It has no individual founder. It is a spiritual religion which leads the devotee to experience the existence of God from heart and soul. It is a very vast religion and Hinduism beliefs are as old as Hinduism religion. However on the whole it has these nine beliefs. 1. Hindus first belief is in the theology of the "Vedas". It is the most antique scripture in the world. "Veda" is a word which has come from Sanskrit language. The basic meaning of Veda is knowledge. According to Hinduism beliefs these primeval hymns are God's speech and the foundation of Sanatana Dharma (a[..]

Change is part of life. Most of the times, the brain like to plan change and actually requires that to feel alive. Most thoughts or action or simply when there is trouble ahead, merely call for two courses of intervention: judgment or discernment. Judgment entails a responsibility with possible negative outcomes. Discernment opens a field of polarity: attracting the positive, leaving the negative. Judgment nurtures resentment, discernment instills detachment in alertness. Attracting the positive, generating the positive inside out and radiating in as beams of pure light is what matters, today, more than ever before. Pay close and wise attention to life; notice how change is inherent of[..]

The spirituality Buddhism offers is one of peace and contentment. While it is true that not everyone in the Western civilization is familiar with the Buddhist teachings, it can still be a form of art that many find gives them a sense of peace and tranquility. Buddhist symbols have become increasingly popular in the last ten years. Many decorators now incorporate some of the Buddhist materials when they are decorating. It is not meant as a sign of disrespect. Rather, they are used to bring others in touch with Buddhist art and the teachings that Buddhists practice. One of the most prevalent Buddhist symbols is the Buddha statue. Most followers of the Buddhist practice possess one of these[..]

Bangkok, though a city with much western influence and modernization of the developed world prides itself in its rich traditions and culture. In so doing it holds fast onto its deeply rooted faith and way of life. Many of the believers of Buddhism and its philosophy make it their priority to participate in the day of Makabucha. This day gained its significance when 1250 disciples of Lord Buddha who were ordained by himself came back to see Him without a prior appointment at Weluwan Wanaram on the full moon night of the third Lunar month. This event that took place over two thousand five hundred years ago and was further marked by Lord Buddha giving “Owata Patimok” which is the first[..]

Cherry blossom tattoos are some of the most popular tattoo designs for women currently. The beauty and delicate nature of a cherry blossom can't be denied. In both Japanese and Chinese cultures the cherry blossom is full of symbolic meaning and significance. Before deciding to get a cherry blossom tattoo design it makes sense to understand the symbolism and deep cultural connections and meaning that this tattoo might hold. After all the best tattoo designs are ones that hold a great deal of symbolic significance. Typically the tattoo that is universally regretted is the one that was gotten while out with a bunch of friends just because they were getting one. So don't fall into the[..]