Dharma Wheel

Sensoji, the oldest temple in Tokyo, split from the Tendai sect and now calls itself the Sho-Kanzeon sect. The central Honzon is a hidden statue of Sho-Kannon-sama. Their theology is hard to find resources on but is definitely Kannon-centric. In Japan at least there is also a difference between “sh...

Hey y’all. I find myself more and more devoted to Guanyin (or whichever romanized monicker you know her by) the longer I practice. I’m not entirely sure why; perhaps there’s something to be said for the power behind her ubiquitous compassion, or the role her merits have played in my life and others’...

Hello all, I've been wondering about the specific things that karma affects. Does karma ONLY affect your birth (as in, which domain you're born in within the desire realm), does karma affect that AND the circumstances surrounding that birth within that domain (and everything just snowballs as a mixt...

Anyhow, most Buddhists (and even non-Buddhists) have heard about Green and White Taras. Just for an argument. I think mostly Vajrayana Buddhists and Hindus may know about Tara, as she's not prominent in East Asia where they have Guanyin, while Theravada doesn't really have anyone beyond Shakyamuni....

All Buddhist traditions have a history of misogyny to some extent, in some way or another. Where do you get this slander from? There have been cultural preferences about women and men, but not within Buddhism. I think this train of thought fails to see that all forms and schools of Buddhism are val...

From my understanding, painful deaths and suffering lives that lead to painful deaths are just another event thats due to ripening negative karma. So if you interrupt the natural death, then that negative karma will still have to manifest in another life. So it's a short-sighted, "this life&quo...

Ooooh I have a favorite. "This too shall pass."

Well, less absolute truth and more personal interpretation and emotional reaction… but still…

Many concepts within Buddhist culture have been assimilated within more "westernized" countries and their cultures. Examples of this are yoga and buddhist philosophy self-help books. In your personal opinion as a practicing Buddhist, are you more concerned about the cultural appropriation ...

Wow! Many thanks Zhen Li for your lingual/etymological standpoint. That really helped me out a lot, despite the complexities far beyond basic Buddhahood, Boddhisattvahood, Nirvana, and Enlightenment. Even though what you said is a little thick ( :tongue: ) I learned a lot from your message. Thanks a...

For some reason I've been having a bit of cognitive blockage when trying to draw conclusions about the three concepts mentioned in the thread title, so I was hoping maybe some kind Dharma Wheels users could clear some things up for me! From what I understand, Nirvana is elimination of the five skhan...

As we all know, Buddhism in its more simplistic form focuses on practice and development and the escape from samsara. But culturally there's far more complexities than the basic practice would have you believe; the specifics of all 16-ish Narakas including Yama and his Ox-head and Horse-face guardia...

Hi! I have yet another question, probably more personal than my other ones.

Aside from private, in your own home Buddha/Bodhisattva thanks, how do you thank them throughout the day? Do you vocally give thanks or acclaim a Buddha or Bodhisattva when talking to someone or going about your business?

I'm sure this general topic has been discussed before but I have further questions to ask. Since there is no definite self or ego (the concept for which is called anatta iirc), then what basis does rebirth have? At least thats the question I've been asking and answering myself for a while now. I jus...

Hey! I've been reading about stream of consciousness/mindstream and duality vs. nonduality and I have a question that isn't answered by the sources I've been reading. My question is: Does the concept of nonduality and mindstream imply an absolute, universal connectedness between all living creatures?

Thank you very much for the insight, I was previously in a more limited state of mind regarding my practice. You have greatly broadened my perspective.

Thanks to both of you! Jikan, are mantras like Om mani padme hum exclusively practiced during meditation?

Hi! I'm a relatively new buddhist and I have never had a proper understanding of 3 things because of the specific school/teachings research I've done. If you could clarify or explain any of these then I would be greatly indebted to you. Mantras and how and why and for what they're used Practicing re...

Thank you! This is precisely what I was looking for.

Is there any formal way to pray to Amitabha to wish for the well-being of others or a specific person's endeavors? Also are there a variety of verses that are used as prayers?