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What is Buddhism?

Buddhism is a religion which originated in India over 2,500 years ago with the enlightenment of Siddhattha under the Bodhi Tree. Henceforth he was known as the Buddha. His enlightenment consisted of the most profound and all embracing insight into the meaning of life, the very nature of mind and universe. This enlightenment was not a revelation from some divine being, but a discovery made by himself and based on the deepest level of meditation and the clearest experience of mind. It meant that he was no longer subject to craving, anger and delusion, and that he had attained the ...

Buddhists really do know secret of happiness

By Mark Henderson, Science Correspondent, Times Online BUDDHISTS who claim their religion holds the secret of happiness may have been proved right by science: brain scans of the devout have found exceptional activity in the lobes that promote serenity and joy. American research has shown that the brain’s “happiness centre” is constantly alive with electrical signals in experienced Buddhists, offering an explanation for their calm and contented demeanour. Neuroscientists think the preliminary findings could provide the first proof that religious training can change the way the brain responds to certain environmental triggers. The University of Wisconsin-Madison study team ...

How not to be a victim of your emotions

by Dr Peter Strong PhD, Psychology Today Blog, December 3, 2009 Mindfulness can stop you being a victim of your emotions New York, USA -- When you really look closely at anxiety, depression, fear, anger or stress, you will almost always find recurring patterns of negative thoughts, traumatic memories and habitual emotional reactions. They are our tormentors, the pesky biting insects that annoy us throughout the day. They ambush our consciousness, pull us down and cause stress and emotional suffering. They come uninvited, cause havoc, and we wish that they would go away. If only we could control them, we would certainly have ...

Meditation gives brain a charge, says study

By Marc Kaufman Washington Post Staff Writer Monday, January 3, 2005; Page A05 Brain research is beginning to produce concrete evidence for something that Buddhist practitioners of meditation have maintained for centuries: Mental discipline and meditative practice can change the workings of the brain and allow people to achieve different levels of awareness.Those transformed states have traditionally been understood in transcendent terms, as something outside the world of physical measurement and objective evaluation. But over the past few years, researchers at the University of Wisconsin working with Tibetan monks have been able to translate those mental experiences into the scientific language of high-frequency ...

The Economy of Gifts

by Thanissaro Bhikkhu According to the Buddhist monastic code, monks and nuns are not allowed to accept money or even to engage in barter or trade with lay people. They live entirely in an economy of gifts. Lay supporters provide gifts of material requisites for the monastics, while the monastics provide their supporters with the gift of the teaching. Ideally — and to a great extent in actual practice — this is an exchange that comes from the heart, something totally voluntary. There are many stories in the texts that emphasize the point that ...

An open letter to a Christian friend

By Evelyn Ruut, The Buddhist Channel, Dec 5, 2009 After a conversation in which I was challenged rather vehemently to give accounting of the reasons behind the choice I made 16 years ago to begin to study Buddhism, and having left my Christian background and prior belief system behind, I determined that it might be OK if I sat down and wrote the reasons down on a one to one, personal level to try to help my friend and others to understand why I have chosen the spiritual path which has become such a big part of my life. I realize that ...

Buddhist Etiquette

The Basics When coming to the Center, dress modestly. Casual dress is fine but refrain from wearing clothes that are either too revealing or sloppy. Please remember to turn off or mute your cell phone. Smoking is not allowed. The Shrine Hall is usually meant for religious activities. While in the Shrine Hall, refrain from loud talk, noise, play, reading of newspapers and the like Sit with your feet folded to one side or cross-legged. Please do not lie on the floor. If you feel the need to stretch your legs while in the Shrine Hall, it is suggested to do so in such ...

The Buddha-rupas of Uttama Bodhi Vihara

by Lee Yu Ban Buddha rupas or images of the Buddha, where they are used for veneration, are considered sacred. They are symbolic of the Three Jewels and each rupa in UBV carries a special significance. Buddhacetiya Hall The main object of worship in UBV is the Rupa in the Buddhacetiya (Buddha shrine) hall. It was carved in China from a block of white jade. The hands of the rupa are in the Dhammacakka mudra or gesture of Turning the Wheel of Dhamma. This mudra represents the Buddha teaching the Four Noble Truths. The Four Noble Truths forms the core of the Dhamma ...

The Appeal of Buddhism

The Appeal of Buddhism by Lee Yu Ban Interest in Buddhism is growing steadily worldwide, especially from people seeking answers in this current global age of clashing ideologies, fanatical strife and senseless violence. The number of its adherents is growing at a phenomenal rate in many parts of the world particularly Australia, the US and many countries in Europe. In many countries in Asia where it was once forcibly displaced by Communism, it is making a remarkable comeback. Why is this interest growing so quickly? Perhaps it is because more and more people are now recognizing these facts about Buddhism. It is : A religion ...