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The Journey of Buddhism
May 14th, 2010 by Dee Marie

Buddha Head Statues

Buddhism is a religion based on the teachings of Buddha which are referred to as “Dharma” or “the Dharma.”  Buddhist believe they are on a spiritual quest to Nirvana, a state of complete enlightenment.    Like all religions, Buddhism has evolved over time, fractured and adapted as the religion spread to the continent of Asia and around the globe.  Today, there are three major sects of Buddhism and several lesser-known denominations of the religion.

Despite their differences, these variations of the Buddhist religion still share core principles. They all accept Buddha as their spiritual teacher.  The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path are core principles and philosophies of the faith.  All believe that Buddhahood is the highest possible state that can be achieved.

Around 300 BC, the Theravada, or “Traditions of the Elders” was first established.  This religion centered around the teachings of Buddha and encouraged it’s followers to teach the mind to eliminate suffering through the use of meditation with the ultimate goal of reaching Nirvana.  Theravada Buddhism established the canon of Buddhist scriptures and the Ten Precepts which govern the lifestyle of Buddhist monks.

This discipline of Buddhism originated in India and migrated to southeast Asia into Thailand, Burma, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and other Asian countries.  As it was adopted by the indigenous peoples, the Theravada was altered to incorporate the religious beliefs of the various regions. It is still practiced in Sri Lanka, Laos and Cambodia today.

Eastern Buddhism known as Mahayana expands the Pali Canon and includes other religious texts and philosophies that champion of belief in universal compassion and altruism.  This is central to their belief in an “Awakened mind.”  Mahayana Buddhism is most popular in Korea, Japan and China. It incorporates elements of mysticism and cosmology.  Mahayana Buddhism itself has splintered into two variants.  Zen Buddhism, which focuses more on internalization of the spiritual path and self-reliance and Pure Land Buddhism which teaches that dedication to the Amitabha Buddha is required to reach Nirvana.

Vajrayana or Tibetan Buddhism is very similar to Mahayana Buddhism with subtle variations.  Also known as “tantric Buddhism,” Vajrayana melds the scriptures and text of both Mahayana and Theraveda Buddhism along with Buddhist Tantras.  A major difference of Vajrayana Buddhism is that it teaches that Buddhahood can be achieved in a single life time without need for reincarnation.   

The method in which one achieves enlightenment is the most significant difference between the various types of Buddhism.  While all believe in the core principles of meditation and spiritual questing guided by the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, the attainment of Nirvana varies considerably.

Are you a Buddhist?  Do you meditate or practice Yoga?  If you’re searching for Asian decor to compliment your meditation space, you’ll find hundreds of Buddha statues at Big Buddha Statue.  It’s a one stop online shop for all your Buddha decor needs.

The Journey of Buddhism
Apr 17th, 2010 by Dee Marie

Buddha Head Statues

Buddhism is a religion based on the teachings of Buddha which are referred to as “Dharma” or “the Dharma.”  Buddhist believe they are on a spiritual quest to Nirvana, a state of complete enlightenment.    Like all religions, Buddhism has evolved over time, fractured and adapted as the religion spread to the continent of Asia and around the globe.  Today, there are three major sects of Buddhism and several lesser-known denominations of the religion.

Despite their differences, these variations of the Buddhist religion still share core principles. They all accept Buddha as their spiritual teacher.  The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path are core principles and philosophies of the faith.  All believe that Buddhahood is the highest possible state that can be achieved.

Around 300 BC, the Theravada, or “Traditions of the Elders” was first established.  This religion centered around the teachings of Buddha and encouraged it’s followers to teach the mind to eliminate suffering through the use of meditation with the ultimate goal of reaching Nirvana.  Theravada Buddhism established the canon of Buddhist scriptures and the Ten Precepts which govern the lifestyle of Buddhist monks.

This discipline of Buddhism originated in India and migrated to southeast Asia into Thailand, Burma, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and other Asian countries.  As it was adopted by the indigenous peoples, the Theravada was altered to incorporate the religious beliefs of the various regions. It is still practiced in Sri Lanka, Laos and Cambodia today.

Eastern Buddhism known as Mahayana expands the Pali Canon and includes other religious texts and philosophies that champion of belief in universal compassion and altruism.  This is central to their belief in an “Awakened mind.”  Mahayana Buddhism is most popular in Korea, Japan and China. It incorporates elements of mysticism and cosmology.  Mahayana Buddhism itself has splintered into two variants.  Zen Buddhism, which focuses more on internalization of the spiritual path and self-reliance and Pure Land Buddhism which teaches that dedication to the Amitabha Buddha is required to reach Nirvana.

Vajrayana or Tibetan Buddhism is very similar to Mahayana Buddhism with subtle variations.  Also known as “tantric Buddhism,” Vajrayana melds the scriptures and text of both Mahayana and Theraveda Buddhism along with Buddhist Tantras.  A major difference of Vajrayana Buddhism is that it teaches that Buddhahood can be achieved in a single life time without need for reincarnation.   

The method in which one achieves enlightenment is the most significant difference between the various types of Buddhism.  While all believe in the core principles of meditation and spiritual questing guided by the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, the attainment of Nirvana varies considerably.

Are you a Buddhist?  Do you meditate or practice Yoga?  If you’re searching for Asian decor to compliment your meditation space, you’ll find hundreds of Buddha statues at Big Buddha Statue.  It’s a one stop online shop for all your Buddha decor needs.

The Journey of Buddhism
Apr 17th, 2010 by Dee Marie

Buddhism is a religion based on the teachings of Buddha which are referred to as “Dharma” or “the Dharma.”  Buddhist believe they are on a spiritual quest to Nirvana, a state of complete enlightenment.    Like all religions, Buddhism has evolved over time, fractured and adapted as the religion spread to the continent of Asia and around the globe.  Today, there are three major sects of Buddhism and several lesser-known denominations of the religion.

Despite their differences, these variations of the Buddhist religion still share core principles. They all accept Buddha as their spiritual teacher.  The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path are core principles and philosophies of the faith.  All believe that Buddhahood is the highest possible state that can be achieved.

Around 300 BC, the Theravada, or “Traditions of the Elders” was first established.  This religion centered around the teachings of Buddha and encouraged it’s followers to teach the mind to eliminate suffering through the use of meditation with the ultimate goal of reaching Nirvana.  Theravada Buddhism established the canon of Buddhist scriptures and the Ten Precepts which govern the lifestyle of Buddhist monks.

This discipline of Buddhism originated in India and migrated to southeast Asia into Thailand, Burma, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and other Asian countries.  As it was adopted by the indigenous peoples, the Theravada was altered to incorporate the religious beliefs of the various regions. It is still practiced in Sri Lanka, Laos and Cambodia today.

Eastern Buddhism known as Mahayana expands the Pali Canon and includes other religious texts and philosophies that champion of belief in universal compassion and altruism.  This is central to their belief in an “Awakened mind.”  Mahayana Buddhism is most popular in Korea, Japan and China. It incorporates elements of mysticism and cosmology.  Mahayana Buddhism itself has splintered into two variants.  Zen Buddhism, which focuses more on internalization of the spiritual path and self-reliance and Pure Land Buddhism which teaches that dedication to the Amitabha Buddha is required to reach Nirvana.

Vajrayana or Tibetan Buddhism is very similar to Mahayana Buddhism with subtle variations.  Also known as “tantric Buddhism,” Vajrayana melds the scriptures and text of both Mahayana and Theraveda Buddhism along with Buddhist Tantras.  A major difference of Vajrayana Buddhism is that it teaches that Buddhahood can be achieved in a single life time without need for reincarnation.   

The method in which one achieves enlightenment is the most significant difference between the various types of Buddhism.  While all believe in the core principles of meditation and spiritual questing guided by the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, the attainment of Nirvana varies considerably.

Are you a Buddhist?  Do you meditate or practice Yoga?  If you’re searching for Asian decor to compliment your meditation space, you’ll find hundreds of Buddha statues at Big Buddha Statue.  It’s a one stop online shop for all your Buddha decor needs.

The Path to Enlightenment
Apr 17th, 2010 by Dee Marie

Close to 2,500 years in the past, Prince Siddharta Gautama was born in what’s currently called Lumbini in Nepal. He was born a prince and his birth had been heralded with many distinctive signals that indicated a destiny of greatness. The prince’s father asked a wiseman who resided in the kingdom for guidance concerning his son.  The sage man theorized that the prince, Siddharta Gautama, would either follow in his father’s  footsteps and turn out to be a great king or he would become a spiritual leader.

Praying that his son would end up his heir, the king did his best to separate the prince from those things that might encourage him toward a spiritual existence.  The prince was bombarded by luxury  and excess, all the advantages that his royal status could offer.  Siddharta Gautama turned out to be to be an intelligent student and excellent sportsman.  He wed a exquisite woman whom he loved and  they  bore a child.

At the age of 29, the prince determined that the world surrounding him was a great deal more problematic than what he encountered in the walls of his palace.  Out amidst the citizens of the kingdom, he  discovered actuality: old-age, sickness and death. The great shock of this finding left the youthful prince shaken. He decided then to dedicate himself to ending the suffering. Leaving his wife and child, the prince forsaked his worldly property and embarked on a spiritual quest.

Guatama began a course of study with numerous instructors to understand their practices. With the aid of Alara Kalama, he soon started to understand meditation and discovered an exalted form called absorption.  This permitted him to attain a state of nothingness where there was no moral or cognitive dimension. While this was beneficial it was clear to the past prince that it would not eliminate the suffering he  had seen.  Guatama continued his hunt for other people who could possibly guide him on his spiritual journey.  Udraka Ramputra, helped Gautama to comprehend a state of neither perception or non-perception,  but this to was not just what he was looking for. The next step in the journey led Gautama to Uruvilva in Northern India.  It was there he selected an ascetic way, experiencing a life of deprivation for nearly 6 years. This only led to the degradation of his entire body, weakness and self-destruction. Even though it cost him his five followers, Gautama ended this ascetic way of life.

The end of this spiritual quest appeared as far away as ever, so the Buddha sat down under a Bodhi tree and announced that “flesh may wither, blood may dry up, but I shall not rise from the spot until Enlightenment has been one.”  After 40 days and nights of thought and meditation, the Buddha at last achieved Enlightenment.

It’s the Buddhist belief that at that moment he achieved a state of being that surpasses anything else in the universe. Each of our normal experiences are based on preconceptions and conditions: how we were raised, our ordeals, flaws and mistakes. Enlightenment is a state in which the complicated inner workings of life become apparent and the reason for man’s suffering discovered.

For the next 45 years, the Buddha journeyed through much of what is now north India. He taught the way of Enlightenment to all who wanted to comprehend. This teaching came to be referred to as the dharma or “the teaching of the enlightened one.     The Buddha accepted many disciples who in turn achieved their own Enlightenment and they trained others.

Buddhists believe that Buddha attained a state of being that flows beyond anything else in the world. If normal experience is based on conditions – upbringing, mindsets, viewpoints, perceptions, and so forth – Enlightenment is Unconditioned. It was a state when the Buddha obtained insight into the deepest operation of existence and for that reason, into the cause of human suffering, the challenge that had set Him on His spiritual journey in the first place.

The Buddha statue we often see doesn not represent a god and would not look at himself as a divine creature. He was simply a human that endeavored to transform himself through self reflection and meditation. Buddhists see him as an ideal and his journey as a guideline which will direct them on the path to enlightenment.  Most homes that practice Buddhism will display some type of Buddha decor like a statue of Buddha, but this is intended to remind them of their own spiritual journey.

Can You Benefit From Having a Past Life Regression?
Jun 2nd, 2009 by Dee Marie

There is no denying the fact that the belief in past life, or reincarnation, is prevalent across the board in almost every religion, from Christianity to Hinduism to Buddhism to Kabalah. And the interest of humans in knowing as much as possible about their past lives is also quite widespread. But how many of us are interested in knowing about our past lives in order to make a positive change in our present lives?

Unfortunately, most of us are only interested in the happenings of our prior lifetimes due to curiosity. The will to change our present lives for good is what makes Past Life Regression (PLR) such a beneficial therapy.

Not only have numerous studies concluded that Past Life Regression can benefit us by allowing us to learn from past experience, but even now, the scientific world continues exploring the possibilities of PLR as a means of bettering ourselves.

Normally you would go to a professional on Past Life Regression for a hypnosis session, but you can do this through self-hypnosis also. Try simple affirmations to help you. You need your subconscious mind to accept that it is okay to remember your past lives as it is more normal for you to ‘block out’ these memories.

It is essential that before you begin on this road, that you are willing to accept certain things.

With a little help, anyone can recall memories from past lives because whether we want to believe it or not, our past lives and our present life are connected via our subconscious minds.

Of course, PLR will show that you’ve had past lives but unless we’re able to use this knowledge to improve the life we’re living now, we will have achieved nothing.

You can use your experiences in your past lives to make changes for the better in your present life. Knowledge of your past will help in your present and future life. You will learn from the mistakes of the past.

Some people however, for various reasons find it impossible to believe in reincarnation. However Past Life Regression can be of immense help in either changing your life for good or helping in avoidance of commission of big mistakes in present life even if you think that all the events you remember are merely the results of a fertile imagination.

Whatever you believe, the experts still advise you to go through Past Life Regression because of two reasons.

*If you benefit from the lessons of such events by applying them to the present life, then these were indeed, the past life experiences.

*Even if you think these events are pure figments of your imagination, the cathartic release you may get from experiencing such thoughts may free-up your mind of something that is blocking your health, success, and creativity.

What benefits should you expect from Past Life Regression?

*It helps in healing the past emotional traumas that are wrecking havoc in our present lives.

*We can think more clearly and make better decisions due to this experience.

*Learning from the mistakes committed in the past prevents the repetition of those mistakes in the present life. For instance, you may have acted cruelly against someone in your past life. This knowledge will help you avoid the same behavior in your present life.

*You have potential that you do not realize you have. Exploring your past live will make you see a talent or skill that may be buried deep in your subconscious. Discovering this could change your outlook on life forever.

*You will have a better understanding of yourself and realize why you do the things you do. You will know why you have a certain personality or characteristic that was a mystery to you before.

Past Life Regression is certainly a win-win proposition for believers and disbelievers. If you want to make a positive change in your present life, it is definitely worth trying!

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