Bodhicitta meditation for skeptics

I’m a Mahayana Buddhist in the Gelugpa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. This tradition has many features that baffle my scientifically trained mind. Unfortunately, some are at the heart of the tradition. Navigating my skepticism is part of the challenge of being a modern Buddhist.

However, I’m not quite as much a skeptic as the Bachelor’s. I do believe in rebirth, I do believe (with caveats) in the possibility to become a Buddha.

Read more about Contemporary Buddhism and Bodhicitta Meditation: http://contemporarybuddhism.com/bodhicitta-meditation-sceptics/

by KATINKA HESSELINK on FEBRUARY 20, 2013

New Pema Chodron site

• 2011 Calendars and Planner
• Pema Chodron quotes on dealing with illness
• Top 3 Pema Chodron Books 2010
• Famous Pema Chodron quotes
• Pema Chodron biography

See also this page with great books by Pema Chodron

The influence of Buddhism on World History

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

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

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

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.

Mindfulness Calendars 2010

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.

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.

Vajrayana Buddhism - the Buddhism of visualisation

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

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.