Ashoka Newmedia

Buddha's core teachings are about enlightenment or awakening as the result of one's own experience. According to Buddhism, enlightenment can free a person from craving or desire, suffering and rebirth. The freedom is only achieved through self discipline, knowledge and meditation. The teaching is necessary to live a joyful life with love and compassion to others which is a proof of being enlightened. There are two main objectives of Buddhism 1. Learn the teachings of Buddha. 2. Learn to know oneself (who we are). First we need to learn the teachings before it can be put to use. When we learn to discover ourselves through the teachings applied to our daily living; that is the time we get to...

The Brahmans claim to direct the religious life and thought of India and apart from Islam may be said to have achieved their ambition, though at the price of tolerating much that the majority would wish to suppress. But in earlier ages their influence was less extensive and there were other currents of religious activity, some hostile and some simply independent. The most formidable of these found expression in Jainism and Buddhism both of which arose in the sixth century B.C. This century was a time of intellectual ferment in many countries. In China it produced Lao-tzu and Confucius: in Greece, Parmenides, Empedocles, and the sophists were only a little later. In all these regions we have the same...

The most basic Buddhist expression of faith is called the triple refuge: "I take refuge in the Buddha, I take refuge in the Dharma (teaching), and I take refuge in the Sangha (the community of Buddhist disciples). To start to learn about Buddhism we must look at each one of these three refuges. We'll begin with the Buddha himself. The Buddha is often depicted seated in a very serene posture with his feet crossed in front of him and his hands folded in his lap. This is the very picture of calm and contemplation. This is the image that has drawn many people to the Buddha. The Buddha is the image of calm and serenity in a confused and distracting world. The second refuge is the Dharma or teaching...

The History of Meditation Tibetan Buddhist meditation has a long history. 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 enlightenment. Virtue, Wisdom, and Meditation. Meditation is practiced in many of the eastern religions, and even in western religions. But I will focus this article on Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism meditative practices. Hinduism is the oldest living religion that practiced meditation. In Hinduism meditating is thought to have developed out of man's need to find Brahman (God's) true nature. Hindu practitioners would sit and think about who...

The main symbols in Tibetan Buddhism are the Eight Auspicious Symbols. The Eight Auspicious Symbols can often be found on Buddhist and Tibetan jewelry. These eight auspicious symbols of Buddhism are: A Lotus The lotus flower is an image that is very well known in Buddhist symbology. This is because nearly all Buddhist deities have some degree of association with this symbol. There are three parts to the lotus flower. A lotus flower's roots are found in the mud, the lotus flower's stem then rises up through the water and above the water sits the flower. The three parts to this plant are very symbolic in Tibetan Buddhism because it symbolizes a person's soul rising from the mud of materialism, up into...

At first glance, the Tibetan dorje symbol appears to be a weapon. But the dorje symbol is not a weapon, it is a ritual object. In Tibetan Buddhism, the dorje symbol is inseparable with the bell. In Tantric Buddhism, the bell represents the feminine, and the dorje represents the masculine, or the dorje represents a thunderbolt, and the bell represents a diamond. The bell can also represent the body, while the dorje represents the mind. In Buddhist ceremonies in Tibet, the bell and the dorje are always used together. The dorje can be used to strike the bell. When holding the dorje and bell together, the dorje is held in the right hand, and the bell is in the left hand. The Tibetan Buddhist deity...