Shantideva was a Buddhist scholar, monk and philosopher, who lived between the 7th century and the 8th century. He is considered one of the 84 Mahasiddhas. Born a wealthy prince, Shantideva turned his back on the material world the night before he was to be crowned king. This extraordinary transformation blossomed from the teachings...
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Shailendra (yang dieja Sailendra, Syailendra atau Selendra) adalah turunan dari gabungan kata-kata Sanskerta ‘Śaila’ dan ‘Indra’ yang bermakna “Raja Pegunungan”. Dinasti Shailendra, yang muncul di Jawa (Indonesia) selama abad ke-8 Masehi, sangat dipengaruhi oleh budaya India dan memainkan peran penting dalam kebangkitan budaya di daerah tersebut. Sebagai penyebar Buddhisme Mahayana yang berkuasa, Shailendra membangun...
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Tsongkhapa Lobzang Drakpa was born in the Tsongkha region of Amdo in 1357. Among the numerous miraculous incidents believed to have taken place...
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(By Tsem Rinpoche) Dear friends and seekers of Wisdom, I truly want from the depths of my heart everyone to gain wisdom, great memory, understanding of dharma that cuts through your problems, merits to purify obstacles, and to gain great attainments before your life is through. I know the practice of Tsongkapa Guru Yoga...
Posted in Buddhas, Dharma & Practice, Transcripts, Tsongkhapa, Videos | 28 Comments »
I wanted to share a nice thangka of Chenrezig with everyone. This thangka is important because through it, one can see the holy forms of not only Chenrezig but also various other important deities...
Posted in Buddhas, Dharma & Practice, Guest Contributors | 13 Comments »
Black Manjushri (Main figure) (Top to bottom): Black Manjushri and Dorje Shugden Deity: Black Manjushri (English) Alternative names: Jampel Nagpo (Tibetan); Krishna Manjushri (Sanskrit) According to the Charya and Yoga Tantras, Manjushri first emanated in this form as a retinue deity in the mandala of the Buddha Vairochana. A popular meditational deity, the practice...
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(By Tsem Rinpoche) Gaden Lhagyama Extracts from Gaden Lhagyama Twenty-Seven Verses on Mind Training In Praise Of The Incomparable Tsongkhapa Song of the Tricosmic Master A Song Rapidly Invoking Blessings Song Of The Mystic Experiences Of Lama Je Rinpoche Prayer for the Flourishing of Je Tsongkhapa’s Teachings A Disciple’s Prayer A Prayer to Meet...
Posted in Buddhas, Dharma & Practice, Prayers and Sadhanas, Tsongkhapa | 19 Comments »
Guhya Manjushri (Main figure) (Top to bottom): Guhya Manjushri and Dorje Shugden Deity: Guhya Manjushri (Sanskrit) Alternative name: Jampel Sang Den (Tibetan) Manjushri is the patron Buddha of Wisdom. The text that he holds is symbolic of his practice granting wisdom, insight and merit. Both the main figure and the smaller figure above is...
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White Manjushri (Main figure) (Top to bottom): White Manjushri and Dorje Shugden Deity: White Manjushri Alternative names: Jampel Karpo (Tibetan); Sita Manjushri (Sanskrit); Siddhaikavira (Sanskrit); White Arapachana Manjushri (English) Manjushri is the patron Buddha of Wisdom. In his right hand, he holds a flaming wisdom sword which cuts away the roots of ignorance from...
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It has been six years now since my best friend and beloved husband, Justin Ripley passed away. It has taken me this length of time to finally come to terms with it; to reconcile with my loss; to forgive and let go; and to embrace truth and reality. It has not been an easy...
Posted in Guest Contributors | 31 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche) The images of the Buddhas in ‘Faces of Enlightenment’ and their iconographies changed my whole outlook on Buddhism. The images and iconographies of enlightened beings represent the Dharma in visual form. When we study, contemplate and meditate on them, we create the causes to attain the qualities of these beings, the...
Posted in Books & Poetry, Buddhas, Dharma & Practice, Guest Contributors | 11 Comments »
Orange Manjushri (Main figure) (Top to bottom): Saraswati, Orange Manjushri and Dorje Shugden. Deity: Orange Manjushri Alternative names: Jampel Arapatsana (Tibetan); Arapachana Manjushri (Sanskrit) Manjushri is the patron Buddha of Wisdom. In his right hand, he holds a flaming wisdom sword which cuts away the roots of ignorance from our lives and in his...
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Manjushri Nagarakshasa (Main figure) (Top to bottom): Buddha Akshobhya, Manjushri, Manjushri Nagarakshasa and Dorje Shugden. Deity: Buddha Akshobhya (Sanskrit) Alternative name: Mitrugpa (Tibetan) Buddha Akshobhya is one of the Five Dhyani Buddhas and represents the consciousness aspect of the five aggregates purified and in its enlightened form. The other four purified forms of the...
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The Cave of Ultimate Bliss. How could you not want to visit a place with a name as beautiful as this? Caves have an innately mysterious aura. Most are only found some distance away from civilisation, and their yawning mouths seem to call out to visitors… or warn them to stay away. You can...
Posted in Art, Architecture & Culture, Asia, Travel | 13 Comments »
Several weeks ago, my Teacher, H.E. the 25th Tsem Tulku Rinpoche (Tsem Rinpoche), gave me the opportunity to write an article about his life story. I was intimidated and yet excited to take on this challenge. Tsem Rinpoche’s life story is rich, colorful, and not without its challenges. I believe all the sufferings and...
Posted in Buddhas, Dharma & Practice, Dorje Shugden, Family, Great Lamas & Masters, Guest Contributors, H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, Inspiration & Worthy Words, Me, Students & Friends | 143 Comments »
Manjushri Namasamgiti (Main figure) (Top to bottom): Manjushri Namasamgiti and Dorje Shugden Deity: Manjushri Namasamgiti (Sanskrit) Alternative name: Jampelyang Tsenjod (Tibetan) Manjushri is the patron Buddha of Wisdom. In one of his right hands, he holds a flaming wisdom sword which cuts away the roots of ignorance from our lives and in one of...
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A Buddha statue or image symbolises the enlightened body of a Buddha. The practice of creating Buddha images started over 2,500 years ago as it was first started by the Buddha himself. In general, Buddhists believe that making Buddha images generates great merit because it brings benefits to so many sentient beings. The sight of Buddha...
Posted in Prayers and Sadhanas | 13 Comments »
(By Tsem Rinpoche and Pastor David Lai) Sakya Pandita Kunga Gyeltsen is commonly referred to by his abbreviated name, ‘Sapan’. He was one of the most famous 13th Century Tibetan spiritual masters and scholars of the Sakya tradition. Sakya Pandita was not his name but a title attributed to him due to his scholarly...
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Dharmadhatu Vagishvara Manjushri (Main figure) (Top to bottom): Dharmadhatu Vagishvara Manjushri and Dorje Shugden Deity: Dharmadhatu Vagishvara Manjushri (Sanskrit) Alternative name: Choying Sungwang (Tibetan) Manjushri is the patron Buddha of Wisdom. In one of his right hands, he holds a flaming wisdom sword which cuts away the roots of ignorance from our lives and...
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Everyone knows I had met His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama back in the United States and when I met him, I personally requested him to ordain me to become a monk. And His Holiness was very gracious and he said to me, “You want to be a monk?” I said, “Yes” and he...
Posted in Autobiography, Great Lamas & Masters, Me | 7 Comments »