The Four Noble Truths (catvāri āryasatyāni) is the central doctrine of Buddhism. The Four Truths explain the nature of suffering (dukkha), its causes, its cessation, and the path to its cessation. Our suffering, or unsatisfactoriness, has three main aspects: 1) physical and mental suffering of birth, aging, sickness, and death; …
The Three Jewels (Sanskrit: tri-ratna or ratna-traya), also known as: The Triple Gem, The Three Treasures, and the Three Refuges – are the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. 1. Buddha The Buddha of course refers to the Historical Buddha, Shakyamuni (Siddhartha Gotoma). He was not a god or a celestial being. …
Siddartha The Buddha wasn’t always the Buddha. Before his enlightenment, Sakyamuni Buddha was Prince Siddartha Gautama. Born on the night of the full moon in May around 623 B.C. His mother, Queen Mahā Māyā, gave birth to him in the Lumbini Park at Kapilavatthu. Siddartha’s father, King Suddhodana of the …
No one questions or denies that we are going through some troubling, chaotic, and devastating times. The COVID-19 virus has taken hundreds of thousands of lives all around the world. Countries have shut down, businesses have closed, food supply is shortening, families struggle to keep their home running, fed, and …
Dear Sangha, As the world knows, we are in a time of severe caution and safety because of the mass spread of the COVID-19 virus. Because the temple’s services and classes tend to bring in many visitors and large groups, effective immediately the temple will suspend all classes and gatherings, …
What is Vipassana? Vipassana, or insight meditation, is the practice of continued close attention to sensation, through which one ultimately sees the true nature of existence. It is believed to be the form of meditation practice taught by the Buddha himself, and although the specific form of the practice may vary, it …
Everyone wants to be happy, but happiness cannot be achieved in isolation. The happiness of one depends upon the happiness of all and the happiness of all depends upon the happiness of one. This is because all life is interdependent. In order to be happy, one needs to cultivate wholesome …
METHODS OF MANTRA MEDITATION Compared to many other meditation methods, mantra meditation is one of the easiest to help us keep our focus and concentration. A mantra is a word or statement of homage, dedication, affirmation, or it can simply be a sound. It doesn’t have to be some sacred …
Medicine Buddha The Medicine Buddha, formally known as: Bhaiṣajya-guru-vaiḍūrya-prabhā-rāja (“Medicine Master and King of Lapis Lazuli Light”), or just Bhaiṣajyaguru, is the Buddha of healing. He is often depicted with Blue skin, holding an alms bowl in his lap with his left hand, and holding a healing herb in his right hand. For the …
METHODS OF METTA MEDITATION Metta meditation is one of the most recognized and practiced forms of meditation both in and outside of Buddhism. Metta is the sincere wish and cultivation of loving-kindness toward ourselves and all living beings. There are a few different ways or phrases of metta, because metta …
