Xuanzang - Chinese Buddhist Monk

JOURNEY TO THE WEST

TRANSLATION OF BUDDHIST SCRIPTURES

In the 7th century AD, the Chinese monk Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) set off an epic journey to India to study Buddhist Philosophy from the Indian masters. Travelling along the Silk Road, through the desolate wastes of the Gobi desert and the icy passes of Central Asia, braving blizzards and brigands, Xuanzang finally reached India, where his spirtual quest took him to Buddhist holy places and monasteries throughout the subcontinent.

By the time he returned to China eighteen years later, carrying with him nearly 600 scriptures which he translated from Sanskrit into Chinese, Xuanzang had covered an astonishing 10,000 miles. He also left a detailed record of his journey which remains a valuable source of historical information on the regions he travelled.

 

TASHIGOMANG

TASHIGOMANG

Tashigomang loosely translated, means "of many auspicious doors".It is a three dimensional miniaturised portable temple with many doors, some of the more intricate ones being known to have as many 108 doors. The doors are decorated with ornate carvings and behind each door is a statue of Buddha, a Buddhist master or a stupa. it is believed that viewing a Tashigomang is equivalent to visiting many temples simultaneously.

In the not so distant past, monks used to travel from village to village, carrying the Tashigomang on their backs, and exhibiting the sacred object to the people gathered to receive blessings, singing the "mani' the chant of "Chenrezing" Avalokiteshvara or the Buddha of Compassion.

BUDDHIST PRAYER FLAGS

PRAYER FLAGS

Prayer flags are flown on vertical flagpoles or strung across high mountain ridges , and near temples or houses, in the Himalayas, a region that is home to Vajrayana Buddhism. They flutter with the natural energy of the wind, carrying prayers and harmonising the environment, thereby increasing the well being and good fortune of all living beings.

HIS HOLINESS THE 14th DALAI LAMA

                                                                                         

His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama

Tenzin Gyatso was born on July 6th 1935 in Taktser , Amdo Province Tibet. Acting upon a grand vision by the Regent, a senior lama, he was picked as the successor to the 13th Dalai Lama at the age of three. Although he did not become the official 14th Dalai Lama untill 1950 at the age of 15. After the 1949 Communist revolution in China, Tibetans became fearful. In October 1950. 80,000 Chinese soldiers invaded Tibet and took over the eastern part of Tibet of the country. Negotiations with the Chinese over the next few years provided futile. In 1959 there was an unsucessful popular uprising against the Chinese. The 14th Dalai lama secretly left the Potala Palace complex Lhasa and fled to India along with thousands of his followers. He has lived there in exile ever since. As the spirtual leader of Buddhism in Tibet, he is very much  revered around the world.

His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama

MAITREYA BUDDHA

Maitreya Buddha

           According to some traditions, the period of the Buddhist Law is divided into three stages: a first period of 500 years is of the turning of the Wheel of Law, a second period of 1000 years is of its deterioration,and the third period of 3000 years is the one during which no one practices the Law. After this, Buddhism having disappeared, a new Buddha will appear who will again turn the Wheel . This future Buddha is known as Maitreya. It is believed that Gautama Buddha himself enthroned him as a successor.

The word 'Maitreya' is derived from the Sanskrit word for friendliness. Thus this Bodhisattva is fundamentally said to embody the qualities of amiability and an attitude of well- meaning sympathy.

  

 

GURU PADMASAMBHAVA

 

GURU PADMASAMBHAVA

Guru Padmasambhava , also known as Guru Rinpoche is an important figure in Buddhism who was instrumental in establishing Vajrayana Buddhism in Tibet around the 8th century CE. Guru Padmasambhava, which translates to "Lotus born" is believed to have appeared in a blooming Lotus as a eight year old in the kingdom of Oddiyan. while Gautam buddha attained enlightenment at a later stage in his life, legend has it that Padmasambhava was incarnated as Buddha "The Awakened One" and at the moment of his birth he announced that he had incarnated to complete the actions of Buddha"s past, present, and future. Gautama Buddha predicted in the Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra one day before attaining Nirvana. He informed his disciples that 12 years after his death a remarkable being with the name Padmasambhava will appear in the center of a Lotus.

EIGHT MANIFESTATIONS OF GURU PADMASAMBHAVA

1. Guru Shakya Senge "Lion of the Shakya Clan"
2. Guru Pema Gyalpo "Lotus King'
3. Guru Nyima Odzer "Rays of the Sun"
4. Guru Dorje Drolo "Vajra Comforter of Beings"
5. Guru Senge Dradog "Roaring Lion"
6. Guru Lodan Chokse " Guru Possesing Wisdom"
7. Guru Pema Jungne
8. Guru Urgyan Dorje Chang "Vajra Bearer Urgyan"

Eight Manifestations exemplify Guru"s ability to express his Wisdom and Compassion

FOUR HOLY SITES FOR BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE

Before his Mahaparnirvana, Gautama Buddha himself had identified the following four sites most worthy of pilgrimage for his followers, observing that these would produce a feeling of spiritual urgency.

NEPAL SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE COVER DEPICTING ALL FOUR HOLY SITES OF BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE

LUMBINI - NEPAL

BODHGAYA - INDIA

SARNATH - INDIA

KUSHINAGAR - INDIA

Lumbini the birthplace of Lord Buddha, Bodhgaya the place of Buddha enlightenment, Sarnath where Buddha delivered his first teachings and Kushinagar where Buddha achieved Mahaparinirvana are the four most important holy sites of Buddhist pilgrimage.

                Buddham Saranam Gacchami, Dhammam Saranam Gacchami, Sangham Saranam Gacchami.