Monthly Archives: December 2012

Who or what is reborn?

Posted on December 30, 2012 by Tashi Nyima

Buddhism teaches us that the concept of ‘I’ is just that —a notion without a true basis, lacking permanence and substance, an emptiness. That which we believe ourselves to be is a conceptual elaboration, imputed upon the five aggregates of … Continue reading →

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The Marks of the Buddha

Posted on December 29, 2012 by Tashi Nyima

Hinayana and Mahayana sutras list the 32 major and 80 minor Marks of the Buddha, which include implausible characteristics such as an exceedingly long tongue, extending up to the hairline; webbed fingers and toes; long arms, reaching down to the … Continue reading →

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Birth, Disease, Aging, and Death

Posted on December 27, 2012 by Tashi Nyima

Our society has progressively exiled the four defining moments of our life experience: birth, disease, aging, and death.  We are born, are ill, and die mostly in hospitals, and the old live in institutional ‘homes’ or artificial aging communities, separated … Continue reading →

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Healing Prayers

Posted on December 26, 2012 by Tashi Nyima

Reverence to Amideva, Protector of all those without refuge, destroyer of all untimely death, Defender of precious human existence! May your nectar of long life make Dharma teachers live exceedingly long lives, and may their missions be accomplished! When I … Continue reading →

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Life Extension

Posted on December 25, 2012 by Tashi Nyima

“All who live must die”, but we can prolong life and increase its quality by the simple application of the law of karma. Skillful acts produce beneficial results, and these results are of the same quality as the acts that … Continue reading →

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Merry

Posted on December 24, 2012 by Tashi Nyima

As we celebrate the birth of the Great Bodhisattva Jesus, I wish all my friends peace and clarity. May his words of love and compassion take root in our hearts!  I am grateful for your company on this page during … Continue reading →

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Generosity and the Holidays

Posted on December 23, 2012 by Tashi Nyima

At this time of the year, we are inundated with appeals from charitable organizations, requesting our assistance for various philanthropic projects. Sadly, there are many organizations whose main beneficiaries are their own officers and professional fundraising contractors, and therefore it … Continue reading →

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Blame

Posted on December 21, 2012 by Tashi Nyima

A friend recently came across the statement that in order to forgive, we must first assign blame. The author went on to say that it is essential for understanding and working with the law of karma that we stop blaming … Continue reading →

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Mantra ATM

Posted on December 19, 2012 by Tashi Nyima

The Buddha utilized various similes to illustrate his teachings. While these images were appropriate and instructive in his time and place, modern urban Westerners are often at a loss to understand them.   For example, the Buddha Shakyamuni says that the … Continue reading →

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The Buddha Within

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Tashi Nyima

When sentient beings recognize the never-arising mind, a self-existing knowing that is primordially pure, they have found the Buddha within themselves.   The moment they realize the nature of this mind and settle evenly, without striving, they have awakened within this … Continue reading →

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