It is a universal truth that all beings seek fulfillment and happiness in their lives. The Buddha taught and embodied this truth and hence many find solace in his teachings and his image. That is why for Buddhists, setting up an altar to the Buddha is of paramount importance for their spiritual practice. An altar to the Buddha is the focal point from which one ushers in fulfillment, happiness and wealth into their homes and lives.

This video guide explains in a clear and modern way how to set up an altar to a holy Buddha image. It also explains how we can make offerings on the altar, how to prostrate to the Buddha and the basic meditation posture. All these practices are essential towards a fulfilling and successful spiritual practice.

http://www.tsemrinpoche.com

The Women's Meditation Tradition in Tibet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nG-RiTO3vjY&list=PLrbj8yFBT58RzJu6GE913ConFh2MRc5zu&index=10

The Women's Meditation Tradition in Tibet

Uploaded on Jun 14, 2010

Google Tech Talk
June 11, 2010

ABSTRACT

Presented by The Venerable Wangdrak Rinpoche.

The Venerable Wangdrak Rinpoche is a native Tibetan and overseer of Gebchak Gonpa, which is the largest Buddhist nunnery in Tibet. Rinpoche will be speaking about the cultural and spiritual role of women meditators in a tradition that is typically very male-identified. His talk will reveal the rich cultural heritage and important role women play in Tibetan Buddhism and culture.

Wangdrak Rinpoche the third is the reincarnation of Wangdrak Dorje. Along with the Gonpa's founder, Tsangyang Gyamtso, Wangdrak Dorje was instrumental in building Gebchak and was renowned for his total mastery of profound yogas and meditation. The present incarnation holds the Khenpo degree in Buddhist philosophy, and has received a remarkably broad training in the almost all of the traditions.

His Holiness Sakya Trizin formally recognized Rinpoche as the reincarnation of Gebchak Gonpa’s Wangdrak Dorje, with an extraordinarily clear prediction letter describing his name, his parents' names, the place and year of his birth, and a unique birthmark on his back. This prediction letter was issued in accordance with the signs he received in meditation. Every detail in the letter proved to be correct. This recognition was also verified by His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa, the head of The Drukpa Lineage, and His Eminence Tai Situ Rinpoche.At the age of nine he entered Chodrak Gonpa, a monastery of the Karma Kagyu and Barom Kagyu traditions, where he received the traditional training in all ritual practices. At the remote hilltop retreat place of Trachok Gon, he received the experiential instructions from Trachok Karma Tseten, the most renowned Karma Kagyu Dzogchen and Mahamudra lama in the vast provinces of Eastern Tibet. There Rinpoche spent three years in isolated meditation retreat, gaining experience and realization of the instructions he'd received.

Dzongsar College in Derge is where Rinpoche undertook his formal studies in Buddhist philosophy and scripture, and is well-known as the best college in all of Tibet for non-sectarian scriptural study. Rinpoche undertook the entire nine-year course, consistently placing first to third in his class and graduating with the Khenpo degree. From the highly respected Drukpa Kagyu lama Adeu Rinpoche, Wangdrak Rinpoche received all the transmissions of the Gebchak lineage. Rinpoche has been fortunate to receive many great empowerments, from many great lamas. His teachers include Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok, His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, His Eminence Tai Situ Rinpoche, the late Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, Dzongsar Khyentse, and others.

When he had completed his studies, Rinpoche returned to Chodrak Gonpa to teach Buddhist philosophy for three years. After moving to teach at a branch gonpa in Nepal, Rinpoche was repeatedly requested by Tsoknyi Rinpoche and the Gebchak nuns to accept formal responsibility for the spiritual and material well-being of Gebchak Gonpa. Along with caring for his students from all over the globe, this is the end to which he continually works.

For more information about Wangdrak Rinpoche and his activities, please visit Rinpoche's official website: www.gebchakgonpa.org

Tuesday, 23 September 2014

The Berzin Archives

http://www.berzinarchives.com/web/en/index.html

The Berzin Archives

The Buddhist Archives of Dr. Alexander Berzin

The Berzin Archives is a collection of translations and teachings by Dr. Alexander Berzin primarily on the Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Covering the areas of sutra, tantra, Kalachakra, dzogchen, and mahamudra meditation, the Archives presents material from all five Tibetan traditions: Nyingma, Sakya, Kagyu, Gelug, and Bon, as well as comparisons with Theravada Buddhism and Islam. Also featured are Tibetan astrology and medicine, Shambhala, and Buddhist history.

Wednesday, 20 August 2014

The Essence of the Heart Sutra by The Dalai Lama

Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6Kz34svNnw
Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twbR3IuM7Og

Published on Aug 19, 2014

The Essence of the Heart Sutra: The Dalai Lama's Heart of Wisdom Teachings by The Dalai Lama
For more than two thousand years, the Heart Sutra has been part of the daily life of millions of Buddhists. This concise text, so rich and laden with meaning, concentrates the very heart of Buddhism into a powerful and evocative teaching on the interdependence of all reality.

In Essence of the Heart Sutra, the Dalai Lama masterfully unpacks the Heart Sutra so that any reader can benefit from its teachings - teachings meant to help us release ourselves from suffering and live with true compassion. Comprised of his "Heart of Wisdom" talks, originally delivered to thousands of listeners in 2001, the book offers the Dalai Lama's commentary as well as his easy-to-follow overview of Buddhist philosophy that places the sutra within its historical and philosophical context. With additional contributions by scholar and translator Thupten Jinpa, Essence of the Heart Sutra is the authoritative presentation of a text seminal to the world's religious heritage.
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http://beautifulaudiobooks.com
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Monday, 18 August 2014

Buddhist Art From Around the World

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekLhrj5yUMQ

Buddhist Art From Around the World

Dechen Lhamo

Uploaded on Sep 10, 2009

This video includes Buddha Statues (Rupas) and Buddhist art mostly from from around Asia and Europe. I have included several large Buddha and Quan Yin rupas located throughout Southeast Asia, including Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Burma, Thailand & China. I have included Buddha rupas in India and Sri Lanka. I have also included a Bamiyan Buddha located in Afghanistan (since destroyed by the taliban), one from Pakistan, and several Buddha figures discovered in Greece. Some of the Buddha rupas featured were housed in monasteries that were destroyed during the cultural revolution in Tibet. I have also included several styles of Stupas (Chortens) located in and around Tibet, India and Nepal. While time and the elements have been kinder to some of these works of art than others, I feel that they are no less important. Than you for watching. Tashi Delek & Peace!