Medicine Buddha (Bhaisajyaguru) is the visualized embodiment of healing in Tibetan Buddhism, offering both physical and spiritual remedies. Key Takeaways Introduction The Medicine Buddha, or Bhaisajyaguru, is one of the most revered figures in Tibetan Buddhism, embodying the healing aspect…
Vajrayana vs Mahayana Buddhism: Vajrayana is typically regarded as a specialized and advanced form of Mahayana. It uses luminosity as path, rather than emptiness. Buddhism is an ancient tradition with a ton of depth, but for beginners, it can feel…
Tonglen means Sending and Receiving. It is a core Mahayana meditation in the Tibetan system. The meditator mentally draws in others suffering with the inbreath and sends out peace and happiness on the outbreath. I always had a hard time…
Shantideva was an Indian Buddhist savant, famed for extemporaneously giving the Bodhicharyavatarya, the Way of the Bodhisattva. This is one of the most famous of all Buddhist Mahayana Shastras. I love the story of Shantideva giving the Bodhicharyavatara. He was…
The vinaya is a set of rules (pratimoksha) setting appropriate behavior for monastics in the Buddha’s community. The vinaya is largely the same today as then. Summary Vinaya Pitaka: Buddhist Monastic Code Central Entity: Vinaya Pitika Related Entities: Relationships: Additional…
The Diamond Sutra of the Buddha is a core Mahayana teaching on Wisdom. Key themes are emptiness, compassion, non-duality, non-attachment, karma, and universality of dharma. Diamond Sutra Summary Entity Description Diamond Sutra (Jīngāng Bānruò Bōluómì Duō Jīng) Mahayana Buddhist Sutra…
Comprehensive Buddhist Sutta on Mahayana Dharma The Lotus Sutra is an extensive teaching by the Buddha. It is a core Mahayana text, incorporating numerous themes such as the inevitability of Buddhahood, essence of awakened beings, and upayas, or skillful means.…
Heart of the Dharma Buddhist Sutras are the canonical teachings of the historical Buddha and certain disciples. Summary Buddhist Sutras Entity Description Buddhist Sutras Collections of teachings attributed to the Buddha Shakyamuni Religion Theravada & Mahayana Buddhism Text Type Religious…
Sanskrit Literary Spiritual Canon Sutras are collections of sayings and instruction in general. In Buddhism, they represent more detailed teachings of the Buddha himself. Summary Sutra Entity Description Sutra A type of religious text containing teachings attributed to a spiritual…
Bodhi is Sanskrit for enlightenment or awakening. It means transcending the ordinary plane of reality and uniting with the profound reality of the absolute. Bodhi Summary Entity Description Bodhi (Sanskrit) Awakening, enlightenment Religion/Practice Primarily Buddhism Concept * The state of…
Samsara, or korwa, means wheel of life. It refers to the perpetual round of birth, death, and rebirth that characterizes sentient existence. Its opposite is Nirvana, the cessation of suffering and wandering. Knowledge Graph: Samsara (Table Format) Entity Description Samsara…
The endless knot of eternity is a Buddhist symbol concerning the interdependence of all phenomena, the mechanism of karma, and the eternal truth of dharma. Knot of Eternity (Shrívatsa) Summary Entity Description Knot of Eternity (Shrívatsa) An auspicious symbol found…
Wheel of Dharma Dharmachakra means wheel of truth. It is a visual symbol used in Buddhism to convey teachings of different levels of Buddhist philosophy. It also represents the union of dharmaraja and spiritual attainment. Dharmachakra Summary Entity Description Dharmachakra…
Manjushri is one of the 3 principal bodhisattvas. He is the bodhisattva of wisdom (prajna). Manjushri, Bodhisattva of Wisdom Manjushri, also known as Wenshu in Chinese or Monju in Japanese, is considered one of the most significant Bodhisattvas in Mahayana…
Vajrapani is one of the 3 bodhisattvas. He is associated with power and the propagation of the Vajrayana teachings. Vajrapani Bodhisattva Vajrapani Bodhisattva is a figure in Buddhism who embodies the power of the Buddhas. His name translates to “Vajra…
Compassionate Guardian of the Earth Womb Ksitigarbha is one of the 8 great bodhisattvas. He vowed to teach beings between the end of Shakyamuni’s time and the appearance of Maitreya Buddha. He is the bodhisattva of the hell realms. Ksitigarbha…
China’s bodhisattva of Mercy Kuan yin / Guan yin / Kwan yin is a female bodhisattva, a form of Avalokiteshvara. She is greatly revered in China as the goddess of mercy and healing. Quan Yin Summary Entity Description Quan Yin,…
Avalokiteshvara is the bodhisattva of compassion. Historically, he is the principal student of the Buddha who taught the Heart Sutra. Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara also known as Avalokiteshvara, revered in various Buddhist traditions, is also known by different names across cultures. In…
The green Tara mantra is OM TARA TU TARE TURE SOHA. It invokes the blessings of mother Tara to protect all beings from fear and negative outcomes. Green Tara Mantra Tara means liberator or star. The Green Tara mantra, a…
Green Tara is a Tibetan Buddhist bodhisattva who vowed to return to samsara to liberate beings in female form. She is known for protecting from fear. Green Tara Story The story of Green Tara traces back to a time when…
White Tara Summary Entity Description White Tara (Tibetan: Drölma Karpo) Religion/Practice Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana) Depiction * Typically depicted as a white figure seated in a lotus posture * Often has seven eyes representing omniscience * Holds a white lotus flower…
Tara Bodhisattva is a female Buddha born from one of Avaloketeshvara’s Tears. She chose to return always in female form. Her specialty is protection from fear. Knowledge Graph Table: Tara Bodhisattva Entity Description Tara Bodhisattva A female enlightened being in…
The bodhisattva, meaning ‘awakening being’ is a follower of the Buddha’s Mahayana path. He or she has developed 2-fold bodhicitta: wisdom, seeing emptiness directly in mediation, and compassion for the suffering of beings. Bodhisattva Summary Entity Description Bodhisattva An enlightened…
8-fold path of Buddha Right Concentration, Right Meditation, or samadhi means attaining a one-pointed focus and applying it to objects of wisdom, such as selflessness, emptiness, or tatagathagharba. Right Concentration Buddhism Right Concentration, an integral component of the Noble Eightfold…
