AVALOKITESHVARA

 

AVALOKITESHVARA BODHISATTVA 1000 ARMS

According to an old Tibetan tradition, the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara has a special relation with the people of Tibet. A Bodhisattva is a warrior or hero of enlightenment, a being who is on the path to Buddhahood. but in sense, Avalokiteshvara is even more than a Buddha. After attaining Buddhahood, he voluntarily returned to the way of a Bodhisattva in order to lead all beings to Buddhahood. Thus Avalokiteshvara is considered the manifestation of the selfless, unconditional compassion of the Buddha's.

In order to share the Buddhas teachings and relieve the suffering of followers. In many paintings and sculptures, Avalokiteshvara is shown in the typical garb of a Bodhisattva a prince like wearing robes, a crown and jewelry. Avalokiteshvara can be distinguished from other Bodhisattvas by the lotus he holds in one hand, symbolizing the potential in us all to attain enlightenment. He also typically wears a small image of Amitabha Buddha, in his crown representing his spiritual association with this particular Buddha.

THE FOUR MYTHICAL ANIMALS

 

TIGER, SNOW LION, GARUDA, DRAGON

The four mythical animals represent the sacred qualities and attitudes that Bodhisattvas develop on the path to enlightenment - qualities such as awareness, vast vision, confidence, joy, humility and power.

PRAYER WHEEL

 

PRAYER WHEEL

Prayer wheels are very important objects for Buddhist practice. The inside of the prayer wheel is filled with chants printed on written paper and wrapped around a central spindle. Chants like "OM MANI PADME HUM" are also written on the outside of the wheel. Buddhists believe that, by turning the prayer wheels, their defilements of the Body, Speech and Mind, will be purified and that they will gain immeasurable merits.

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