Universal Buddhism

Dalai Lama quotes and meditation for kids...

2010-11-10T06:43:00.000-08:00

Best Dalai Lama Quotes Posters: I've found you Dalai Lama Posters featuring him and an inspiring quote, as well as simply great picture of him that you can get framed. The Dalai Lama is probably the most respected political leader in the world. He's also one of the most popular sp...
Best Books by Alexandra David-Neel: Best known for her visit to Tibet, when it was closed to foreigners, Alexandra David-Neels books are travel journals mixed with spiritual insight. She helped foster the image of Tibet as a sacred place, while also making it clear that it was a real l...
Best spiritual fiction: I love spiritual fiction: the best in the genre combines a heart warming story with a spiritual quest. The hero, or heroin, is usually a bit odd, but recognizable. The story makes you look inward, to see how you would act in their place. This page s...
Meditation books for kids: Can children learn about meditation? Sure they can! The books on this page are meant for pre-school children and kids in primary school. They make meditation and spirituality fun. It's not a good idea to make it all too heavy for them: you don't want...

New Pema Chodron site

2010-09-29T09:29:00.000-07:00

See also this page with great books by Pema Chodron

The influence of Buddhism on World History

2010-09-26T05:40:00.000-07:00

The influence of Buddha on world history can hardly be over estimated. His teachings and organization influenced religion and philosophy in China, it reached as far as Japan. It impacted art, culture and architecture in Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Sri Lanka - the whole of Southern Asia in short.
There's no denying that Buddhism itself changed in each of these places. In fact, Buddhism has been hailed as one of the most adaptable religions. It changes with every place it lands in. Who knows how it will change in the West, and how we will be changed by it...

Read the whole story: http://hubpages.com/hub/influence-Buddha-World-History

Buddha busts, statues, sculpture and figures

2010-09-25T03:41:00.000-07:00

Buddha figures are everywhere. Buddha heads have become a fashion statement. Buddha statues, really just the next way to show off your spiritual inclination. I've found you Buddha figures and heads for your home. Some in classic style, some more modern.

Buddha is usually depicted in paintings and sculpture with long ear lobes that signifies that Buddha is able to listen to the sorrow of the people and the bump on his head represents enlightenment. Some Buddha statues have a sort of aura around the head, like in Christianity, it represents his purity.

Brass Buddha statues and figures have been made in India since the 8th century. Until the 13th century Buddhism was widespread in India and it was natural that Indian artisans would make Buddha statues with brass, the popular metal of the times.

Zen Buddhist Planners and Date Books

2010-09-18T03:04:00.000-07:00

The best planners and agenda books featuring Zen Buddhist inspiration.

Buddha jewelry, earrings and pendants

2010-08-25T09:58:00.001-07:00

It's perhaps become too often seen: the image of Buddha is everywhere. I even saw a picture of Buddha-shaped containers somewhere online. Still, these Buddha-shaped pendants and earrings are pretty as well as inspiring. One of the easiest ways of saying to those in your life - without words - that you're into spirituality.

For instance a Large Sterling Silver Buddha Chakra Stone Pendant

Best Buddhist T-shirts

2010-08-08T05:22:00.001-07:00

Let's be clear: for a Buddhist, there can never be too many Buddhist shirts. Can there? I don't think so. I've found you a whole bunch - from two sources.
First Amazon: where sizes and colors are for the choosing. Generally the sizes there go from small to extra large.
Second Cafepress, where sizes go from small to XXL. Cafepress too makes it easy to pick just the right shirt by giving you plenty of choice about sizes and colors. The prints can usually be applied to adult shirts (women and men) but also jumpers and such for babies.

Buddha quotes on karma

2010-05-27T02:12:00.000-07:00

These quotes are the closest we can get to the Buddha: they’re from the Tipitaka, the ancient Pali Buddhist scriptures. Katinka has replaced the Pali ‘kamma’ with the more common Sanskrit ‘Karma’. The two words mean the same thing.

Best Buddhism and Buddha bags

2010-05-08T08:44:00.000-07:00

Cute and beautiful bags inspired by the wisdom of the Buddha and Buddhism. Like the Buddha bag on the right, which refers to the doctrine of karma as it says ‘What we think we become’.
The lotus shown is a symbol of spiritual attainment as it grows out of the mud (the dirt of everyday life) towards the sun (symbol of truth and love). Orange, red and yellow are the traditional colors Buddhist monks and nuns have dressed in for centuries.

Best books on Buddhism

2010-05-07T12:01:00.000-07:00

These are the best selling books on Buddhism today.

The top 3 Buddhist Books

	You might want to digest this book slowly, a few pages at a time. Although Zen teacher Steve Hagen has a knack for putting the philosophy of Buddhism in a "plain and simple" package, it may take a while to sink in. There is so much there. Seeing reality, realizing the wisdom of the self, breaking free of dualistic thinking--this is pretty heady stuff. Thankfully, Hagen passes it along in the form of examples from life, psychological tidbits, and stories from Buddhist teachers past and present. And when it clicks in, it can be life-transforming. Hagen explains this shift in outlook and how the fundamental way we look at the world affects everything we do. As an outline, Hagen follows the basic teachings of the Buddha, and we see that, rather than dogmatic truths, they are reminders for us as we reconsider the life we have taken for granted for so long. As it turns out, Buddhism is life, plain and simple. --Brian Bruya Price: $6.15 List Price: $10.95
	The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching What should we think when on the one hand Buddhism tells us that life is suffering and on the other we are told to enjoy life's every moment? Loved around the world for his simple, straightforward explanations of Buddhism, Thich Nhat Hanh has finally turned his hand to the very core of Buddhism and conundrums such as this. In the traditional way, Thich Nhat Hanh takes up the core teachings one by one--the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, the Twelve Links of Interdependent Co-Arising--but his approach is as fresh as a soft breeze through a plum orchard. For illustration, he dips into the vast stores of Buddhist literature right alongside contemporary anecdotes, pointing out subtleties that can get glossed over in other popular introductions. He also includes three short but key sutras, essential source teachings from which all Buddhism flows. Studying the basics of Buddhism under Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh is like learning basketball from Michael Jordan. --Brian Bruya Price: $8.57 List Price: $14.95
	Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life Thich Nhat Hanh's writing is deceptive in its subtlety. He'll go on and on with stories about tree-hugging or metaphors involving raw potatoes; he'll tell you how to eat mindfully, even how to breathe and walk; he'll suggest looking closely at a flower and to see the sun as your heart. As the Zen teacher Richard Baker commented, however, Nhat Hanh is "a cross between a cloud, a snail, and piece of heavy machinery." Sooner or later, it begins to sink in that Nhat Hanh is conveying a depth of psychology and a world outlook that require nothing less than a complete paradigm shift. Through his cute stories and compassionate admonitions, he gradually builds up to his philosophy of interbeing, the notion that none of us is separately, but rather that we inter-are. The ramifications are explosive. How can we mindlessly and selfishly pursue our individual ends, when we are inextricably bound up with everyone and everything else? We see an enemy not as focus of anger but as a human with a complex history, who could be us if we had the same history. Suffice it to say, that after reading Peace Is Every Step, you'll never look at a plastic bag the same way again, and you may even develop a penchant for hugging trees. --Brian Bruya Price: $6.95 List Price: $15.00

How do Buddhists live? Buddhist lifestyle

2010-03-02T05:03:00.000-08:00

Buddhists live all over the world. They live in all kinds of ways, so there is no simple all encompassing answer to the question how Buddhists live.
Still, there are a few things to take into account:

Real Buddhists have taken refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha
Many Buddhists meditate (though traditionally this was only done by a few monks)
Buddhists will often vow to take on the Five Vows – pancha sila – either on religious holidays or throughout their life.
Many Buddhists are vegetarians
Buddhists often have rituals dedicated to the Buddha: puja rituals.

Buddhism posters and Buddha art prints

2009-11-25T05:24:00.000-08:00

I just love Buddha posters and posters devoted to Buddhism in general. They always look so peaceful and calm. The best ones, I think, also include some spiritual saying or quote from the Buddhist tradition.

Top books by H.H. the Dalai Lama, Tibetan Buddhism

2009-11-16T03:41:00.000-08:00

The Dalai Lama is that unique mix of a spiritual teacher and a political leader. Unlike the Pope he is virtually uncontested as a spiritual inspiration. His continuing attempts at peaceful dialog with the Chinese government is amazing. His attempts at finding a meeting ground between Buddhist philosophy and practice and scientific research is inspiring.

What follows are the top 10 (or 11) books he's written - though in most cases he had a co-writer.

Buddhist practices and religious beliefs

2009-11-15T02:51:00.000-08:00

In the West religion is often defined by what one BELIEVES, but many other religions are more easily defined by either community or what one DOES, aka practices and rituals.
Buddhism is perhaps most easily defined as a belief in a a path towards enlightenment, with the main teacher of this path being Gautama Buddha, aka Siddhartha.

Buddhism postcards desk calendar 2010

2009-11-14T01:43:00.000-08:00

With the popularity of Buddhism, it’s a bit surprising I was only able to find three Buddhist Desk Calendars. While elsewhere I did find other kinds of Buddhist calendars, these three do just what you want in a desk calendar: remind you of the wisdom of Buddhism AND help keep you up to date on where you are in the year.
Buddha Postcards 2010 Easel Desk Calendar $17.99
This weekly easel-backed desk calendar has 52 images of the Buddha with a weekly calendar grid at the top perforated to make 52 individual 6″ x 4 3/10″ postcards. The calendar grid is in four languages and includes phases of the moon.
By TeNeues
Wisdom of the East 2010 Mini Desk Calendar $8.99 This spiritual and uplifting calendar, filled with quotes from great Eastern thinkers such as Buddha, the Dalai Lama, and Dogen, offers insight and direction for living harmoniously in the world. The backer of this compact yet functional calendar includes an easel for display on a counter or desk and magnets that allow it to be attached to a metal surface. By Andrews McMeel
Zen Page-A-Day 2010 Desk Calendar $12.99
This is the least ‘Buddhist’ of the three desk calendars, but it’s perhaps the one you’ll end up buying. It will help you to open your eyes and mind anew every morning. Based on the bestselling book, the Zen Calendar features a daily koan, quote, parable, sutra, or poem filled with surprise, paradox, and infinite wisdom in very few words. The Zen of artists: “The simplest things give me ideas” (Joan MirÓ). The Zen of saints: “The most divine knowledge of God is that which is known by not knowing” (St. Denis).

Mindfulness Calendars 2010

2009-11-13T01:42:00.000-08:00

Mindful Living 2010 Wall Calendar

Mindful Living 2010 Wall Calendar $13.95
Inspiring quotes by Thich Nhat Hanh have been matched with zen style photographs in this timepiece. Vietnamese Zen Buddhist teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh, is also a Buddhist scholar and peace activist who lectures throughout the world and writes on the practices of mindfulness and peaceful living.
By Brush Dance

Live with Intention 2010 Wall Calendar

Live with Intention 2010 Wall Calendar $13.95
Renee Locks’ calligraphy celebrates the joy of heartfelt, strong-yet-gentle words. Her work is inspired by the feeling nature evokes in her and is influenced by the austerity of Japanese art. Let the words and art in this Live with Intention calendar nourish, heal, and bless the mind, heart, and spirit.
Published by Brush Dance

Lean Forward into Your Life 2010 Wall Calendar

Lean Forward into Your Life 2010 Wall Calendar $13.95
A year-long invitation to lead an unusual life: living with intention, paying attention, celebrating, taking care of yourself and living from the heart. Quotes and artwork by Mary Anne Radmacher.
Published by Brush Dance

Journey to Wings Wall Calendar 2010

Journey to Wings 2010 Wall Calendar
Beauty and innocence take flight with these tender images of friendship and connectedness from mixed media artist Kelly Rae Roberts. The artwork is combined with inspiring and comforting spiritual quotes.
Mindfulness is calm awareness of one’s body functions, feelings, content of consciousness, or consciousness itself. This concept is increasingly used in the West to help people who have psychological or personal problems. It does not bring a label of ‘psychological illness’ with it to be practiced. According to Buddhism, from which the concept is taken, normal human life contains suffering simply because we are not aware.

Buddhist meditation explained

2009-11-12T01:39:00.000-08:00

Meditation and the relativity of thought in Buddhism

* Taming the mind, Pema Chodron
* The eight jhanas or stages of meditation in Theravada Buddhism
o part 2: entering the 8 jhanas
o part3:Controversy around the eight jhanas
* Meditating on compassion useful? on being too practical and realistic, Tenzin Gyatso the 14th Dalai Lama
* Meditation quotes
* Mindfulness of breathing, from the Anapanasati Sutta. Translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
* It is easier to get enlightened than to stay enlightened, Lama Surya Das
* On spiritual enlightenment, Hinduism and Buddhism compared
* Thich Nhat Hanh: meditation quotes
* Thich Nhat Hanh on the benefits of silence
* The Mind and the Nature of Mind, Sogyal Rinpoche
* Prayer of blessing to all sentient beings, Sogyal Rinpoche
* Invocation to Tara, Nagarjuna
* The natural liberation through naked vision, identifying intelligence, by Padma Sambava. A very inspiring text that goes to the depth of the illusiveness of our thinking.
* Asanga's Teaching of Great Compassion,a meditation and visualization exercise.
* Parts of Tsong Kapa's Medium Length Transcendent Insight are recommended on the subject of meditation:
o Part 1
o Part 6
* The Nature of Buddhist Meditation, by Lama Doboom Tulku
* Nirvana etc. - from a discussion group
* More on Nirvana - theosophical and zen-approaches, from a discussion group
* Zen quotes

Zen Buddhism

2009-11-11T01:38:00.000-08:00

Buddhism from Japan and China

Zen Buddhism (also called Chan Buddhism in China) is one of the most famous types of Buddhism in the West. It has similarities with Taoism as well.

On this lens you will find video's about Zen Buddhist practice in Japan as well as links to more information about Zen Buddhism.

Buddism desk planners and calendars

2009-11-10T05:32:00.000-08:00

Buddhism desk calendars

Vajrayana Buddhism - the Buddhism of visualisation

2009-11-10T01:36:00.000-08:00

Tibetan Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism has been called 'Vajrayana Buddhism', because it is part of the tantric Buddhist current, within Mayahana Buddhism.

The word Vajra can be explained as 'thunderbolt' or 'Diamond like'. It stands for the clear constancy of the mind of the enlightened meditator. Vajrayana is then the path of meditation, specifically visualization meditation. This doesn't mean all Tibetan Buddhists meditate, far from it. It does mean that the most respected of their spiritual leaders DO.

Pema Chodron Tibetan Buddhism Planners and Calendars

2009-11-09T05:32:00.000-08:00

Pema Chodron Planners and Calendars
As an ordained nun in the Tibetan Buddhist Vajrayana tradition, Pema Chodron inspires with her day to day wisdom. Amber Lotus has created three calendars in her honor: a wall calendar, a mini wall calendar and an engagement planner or date book. All three are beautifully done and the inspirational and uplifting quotes from The Places That Scare You, which is designed to help us cultivate compassion and awareness within the challenges of daily life. These insightful quotes are paired with beautifully evocative and meditative nature photography.

Spiritual mindfulness calendars Buddhism

2009-11-09T05:29:00.000-08:00

Because mindfulness is a way of dealing with problems that does not require drugs or fancy equipment it has become quite popular among many. No surprise then that there are several calendars out there for those interested in enlightening their life through meditation or mindfulness.

The main teacher of Zen Mindfulness these days is of course Thich Nhat Hanh. His Calendars are as inspiring and calming as you would expect.

Mindfulness is really a form of Buddhism adapted to the modern lifestyle of Westerners. That is: what used to be a practice aimed at monks and nuns (and only a minority of those), is now practiced by people who aren't giving up any of life's luxuries.

Tibetan Buddhism too has brought us spiritual teachers capable of bridging the nun-laity gap: Pema Chodron for instance is very good at translating the ancient wisdom to something applicable to our modern hectic lives.

Calendars and date books with a Zen theme.

2009-11-09T03:44:00.000-08:00

Some of these calendars have a specifically Zen Buddhist theme, others use Zen as an inspiration, but aren't religious.

Zen Teacher Thich Nhat Hanh is so popular, his teachings are shared in engagement planners and wall calendars. All of these are beautiful and inspiring.

Christmas gift ideas for Buddhist friends and family

2009-11-09T01:35:00.000-08:00

Buddhism Presents and Gifts

Looking for a gift for your Buddhist friends and family? You don't have to look any further. I've found you artwork, calendars and books that will delight and inspire them.

Save yourself some time by ordering online and still enjoying their happy faces over your thoughtful gift.

Karma in Buddhism: reincarnation and rebirth

2009-11-08T01:25:00.001-08:00

* Books on rebirth and karma
* Karma quotes by Buddha
* Karma in Buddhism, Hans Wolfgang Schuman
* Karma: It's not about Fatalism, Bhikkhu Thanissaro
* Anatta (Non-self) and Kamma (Karma); The Best Kept Secret in the Universe, by Ajahn Jagaro
* Atman in Sunyata and the Sunyata of Atman; An attempt to reconcile the alleged difference between Buddhism and Advaita Vedanta on the nature of the Self, by Bijoy H. Boruah
* Self, world and incarnation,Mark Harriss on the self and the question of 'what is it that reincarnates or is reborn?'
* Merits,commented on by Hui Neng, Buddhist Zen Master and sixth patriarch
* Past Lives and their spiritual meaning, What does my past life say about me now? Katinka Hesselink
* Inattention & past lives: Buddhist story about rebirth
* Reincarnation of the personality? If they can find reincarnated lamas, why can't I find the rebirth of my father? Katinka Hesselink

More about karma and reincarnation.

Buddhism blogposts All Considering Spiritual Blog

2009-11-08T01:18:00.000-08:00

Being halfway a Buddhist – what’s a real Buddhist?

By Katinka - Spirituality | September 28th, 2009

I said in my blogpost about whether Buddhism was the best world religion (let alone win an award) that I was halfway a Buddhist myself. I got a question about that: what do I mean?
A real Buddhist, in my view, and in the traditional Asian view, is someone who has taken refuge. That is, in [...]

3 Comments

The karma of disease and health

By Katinka - Spirituality | September 1st, 2009

The relationship between karma and disease is a controversial one. There is the common sense view that since disease is unwelcome, it ‘must be’ bad karma. On the other hand there is a long tradition of theosophical thought saying that bad karma doesn’t exist. I was reading up on a related topic this summer and [...]

6 Comments

Did Buddhism win the best Religion of the world award?

By Katinka - Spirituality | July 24th, 2009

There’s a rumor going about a lot of blogs that Buddhism wins the best religion of the world reward. Unfortunately it’s only blogs that are reporting this. No ordinary news sources, nor can I find the ‘Icarus’ foundation that is said to have given the award because:
“It wasn’t a surprise to me that Buddhism won [...]

15 Comments

Osel Hita Torres – aka Lama Osel goes on to make movies

By Katinka - Spirituality | June 15th, 2009

This is a true story that someone emailed me because it reminded them of Jiddu Krishnamurti’s story. That is: someone raised to be a teacher, steps outside the tradition that he was brought up in to do something totally different. Lama Osel was born to Spanish parents, but brought up as the reincarnation of Thubten [...]

Remembering Blavatsky – White Lotusday

By Katinka - Spirituality | May 8th, 2009

On May 8th theosophists all over the world, whatever theosophical organization they belong to, commemorate Blavatsky’s passing on May 8th 1891. This day is called White Lotusday. Traditionally quotes from three texts are read: The Bhagavad Gita, The Voice of the Silence and Light of Asia. So here goes from chapter ten of the Bhagavad [...]

7 Comments

Work as those who are ambitious…

By Katinka - Spirituality | April 13th, 2009

Work as those work who are ambitious. Respect life as those do who desire it.
Be happy as those are who live for happiness.
Mabel Collins, Light on the path, part 1 (4)
This quote must be a bit puzzling for those who think ambition itself is a spiritual virtue. Light on the Path is one of the [...]

2 Comments

The difference between spiritual growth and personal development?

By Katinka - Spirituality | March 18th, 2009

Michael asked me on my Dutch blog:
What’s the difference between personal and spiritual growth anyhow? I think self knowledge is perhaps the only spiritual or personal growth there is, isn’t it?
It’s a very good question. Depending on ones spiritual background, one can go into this very deeply, or just skimp the surface. Ken Wilber has [...]

13 Comments

The Dalai Lama – a peaceful response to violence

By Katinka - Spirituality | March 10th, 2009

It is a good blogging tradition to pay attention to important dates. Today it is 50 years since His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama fled Tibet, because it was being occupied by Chinese forces. I’m not going to go into the whole story here. Follow the links in this post for more details.
Got Enlightenment? – [...]

Generosity and detachment – spiritual virtue no. 5

By Katinka - Spirituality | February 10th, 2009

Generosity is, for once, a classic virtue. In Islam it’s called Zakat: the duty to give a percentage of your possessions to the poor.
Generosity is linked to another classic virtue: detachment. In both Hinduism and Buddhism attachment to stuff, money and status is seen as a problem. Letting go of that in the form of [...]

2 Comments

Spiritual virtues / values / norms: perspective on alternative spirituality

By Katinka - Spirituality | February 2nd, 2009

Auch. That was way too long a title.
Anyhow, I was thinking about some of the responses to my post about the difference between religion and spirituality (and how little difference there is). While I don’t agree with Jan Peter for instance – spirituality is more than something emotional – I do think I know what [...]

Introduction to Buddhism

2009-11-08T01:16:00.000-08:00

Buddhism: practice, religious views and beliefs
Buddhism is one of the most inspiring world philosophies. On this lens you will find information on the Buddhist path, basic concepts and links to more information.

Thich Nhat Hanh Short Quotes on Love and Compassion

2009-11-08T01:14:00.001-08:00

When we come into contact with the other person, our thoughts and actions should express our mind of compassion, even if that person says and does things that are not easy to accept. We practice in this way until we see clearly that our love is not contingent upon the other person being lovable.