Myth Of Tolerance: In a move to suppress a growing protest, the Indian administration forcibly relocates Buddhist agitators at night in Bodh Gaya as they demand control of the Mahabodhi Mahavihara. The demand was gaining traction in global Buddhist communities. #RepealBTact1949 #Buddhism #Bodhgaya

King's Vihara: Shewaki is home to Shahbahar, or the "King's Vihara," a Buddhist stupa dating back to the Kushan era. This stupa is part of a larger religious complex situated along a historic pilgrimage route that Buddhist travelers followed from the Indian lowlands to Bamiyan in the highlands.

Parthian Prince: An-Shigao,a Parthian prince, renounced his throne to spread Buddhism. He traveled from Scythia in Central Asia to Luoyang, capital of the Han Dynasty, where he taught and spread Sarvastivada Buddhism. He is the first known translator of Indian Buddhist texts into Chinese. #Buddhism

Simhagosha: "The Buddha is often called a 'lion', and his words,'the voice of the lion', or simhagosha. It is tempting to suggest that the four addorsed lions, with their open mouths,may have served as a dual metaphor,referring both to Asoka..and to Sakyamuni and his teachings.." #Buddhism

Catuḥśatakaṭīkā: Catuḥśatakaṭīkā is Candrakīrti's commentary on Āryadeva's 400 verses or Catuḥśataka. A key feature of this commentary is the development of the Prāsaṅgika approach to Madhyamaka reasoning, which became foundational for later Tibetan Buddhist philosophy. #Buddhism #Philosophy

Buddhism🙏🏽📿🪷 and the Politics of Activism✊🏽 There is no way that Buddhism can avoid being a part of politics. Political actions are made by human beings to whom we are interconnected. #Buddhist #Buddhism www.everydaybuddhist.org/blog/buddhis...

Opened at random: "Nobles during this degenerate age regard their subjects as fodder. The offspring of scorpions see their mother as food, and eat her." More, a 🧵:

Raktamritika Mahavihara: In his account, Xuanzang narrates a tale of how Raktamritika Mahavihara was built by a king of Karnasuvarna, in eastern India, to celebrate a Buddhist monk's triumph over a presumptious heretic. The story is supported by the discovery of the Rajbadidanga seal. #Buddhism

Buddhadatta: Buddhadatta was an erudite Buddhist theologian who lived in 5thCE TamilNadu. According to Gandhavamsa, a Pali literary chronicle, he was one of the 10 great Theravada masters from Kanchi who is known for their scholarly contributions to Pali literature and Theravāda doctrine. #Buddhism

Bimaran Casket: "The well-known gold and ruby reliquary found at Bimaran in Afghanistan is generally assigned a date of about the 2nd century AD in spite of the virtually incontrovertible scientific evidence surrounding it that suggests that it was made about the first century BCE." #Buddhism

Redemption: Compassion isn't about condoning wrong-doings, but seeing the possibility for change and offering a path towards healing. Recognizing that everyone, regardless of their past mistakes, deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and awaken to their true nature. - Catuhsatakatika #Buddhism

Candrakīrti: Candrakīrti was a renowned 7th-century Indian Buddhist philosopher and scholar of the Madhyamaka school, renowned for his extensive commentaries on works of Nāgārjuna and Āryadeva. He is celebrated for his rigorous analysis of the two truths doctrine. #Buddhism #Teacher #Philosophy

Āryadeva: Āryadeva was a pivotal figure in the development of early Madhyamaka philosophy. His works such as Catuḥśataka laid foundational principles that influenced later Buddhist thought across various traditions, including Tibetan and East Asian Buddhism. #Buddhism #Teacher #Philosophy

Purpose Of Bodhisattvas: Just as a physician's ultimate goal is to heal the patient, similarly a Bodhisattva's ultimate goal is to guide all sentient beings on a path that will lead to their enlightenment. - Catuhsatakatika #Buddhism #Path #Compassion #Philosophy Video Credit: Karma Lodro Gyatso

Vajrapani Garuda: In esoteric Buddhism, Bodhisattva Vajrapani in his fierce Dharmapala incarnation is also depicted as Garuda: The mythical Bird-King. In this form, "he is usually standing and has the wings and claws of a Garuda. He may have a human head with a beak, or a Garuda head." #Iconography

The Buddha and the Lotus

Kāraṇḍavyūha Sūtra: This sutra is a significant Mahayana Buddhist text that extols the virtues and powers of Avalokitesvara, presenting him as a cosmic overlord and the source of numerous Indic deities. It describes how various divinities and celestial bodies are born from Avalokitesvara's body.

Buddhist Legwork! The iconographic idols of Bodhisattvas with an outstretched leg depicts their eagerness and commitment to come to the aid of sentient beings in an hour of need. The posture portrays the agility of a Bodhisattva to fulfill their unshakable vow of compassion. #Iconography #Budhismo

Jatamukuta Lokesvara: The Bodhisattva is depicted with a crown of matted hairstyle known as a jatamukuta. "He is four-armed and one-faced with Amitabha on the crown. The two right hands show the rosary and the Varada pose, while the two left hold the lotus and the water-pot." #Buddhism #Art

Bogra Copper Plate: The Bogra copper plate is an important artifact from the reign of 'Paramsaugata' Śrīcandra, a king of the Candra dynasty in Bengal. It represents the eighth known land-grant inscription issued by Śrīcandra. It details a land grant to made to a Śrīkaradatta Śarman. #Buddhism

Origin Of Budd Or Buth: In Arabic, the term "Budd" or "Buth" is derived from the Middle Persian word for Buddha, which was later used to refer to idols or statues in general. "Previous to the rise of Islam there flourished important commerce between Arabia and India. 1/ #Buddhism #History #Arabia

Yellow Tara: Yellow Tara, also known as Ekjati Tara, is associated with wealth, abundance, and wrathful compassion. Iconographically, Yellow Tara is depicted with a radiant yellow complexion, symbolizing the light of life. She is often shown sitting on a multicolored lotus, in an elegant posture.

Bodhisattva And The Serpent Kings: "The Naga kings, earnestly desiring to show their reverence for the most excellent law, as they had paid honor to former Buddhas, now went to greet the Bodhisatta." #Yearofthesnake #LunarNewYear #Snakeyear #Buddhism

Emanations from Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara: Aditya and Candra came from his eyes, Mahesvara came from his forehead, Brahma from his shoulders, Narayana came from his heart, Sarasvati came from his canines, Vayu from his mouth, Dharani from his feet, and Varuna from his stomach. #Buddhism #Mahayana

Buddhism: Three Marks of Existence. If one discerns these truths by wisdom, one becomes detached from dukkha (unsatisfactory nature of phenomena). That is the path which leads to purity (liberation).

Hima: A 2000-year-old black stone bowl belonging to a female Buddhist monastic named Hima was discovered in Telangana, India. This find highlights the significant presence of Buddhism in the Manjeera River valley in the 1st-2nd centuries BCE, during the reign of the Satavahana dynasty. #Buddhism

Mendut Bodhisattva: Avalokitesvara at Mendut Temple is a prominent Bodhisattva statue from Sailendra era. Seated in lalitāsana with his left leg crossed and his right leg touching the ground, symbolizing compassion. His right hand displays the varada-mudrā, signifying the delivery of teachings.

Janguli: According to Buddhist texts, Janguli the subjugator of snakes is an emanation of Avalokitesvara manifesting in a female form to save beings from both literal and metaphorical poisons. Arya Janguli is sometimes also considered as a Tantric form of White Tara. #Buddhism #Bodhisattva #Tara

Painting the Drum tower at Dai Dang Zen Meditation Center

Chandra Dynasty: Founded by Mahataing Chandra of Arakan in 327 CE, Chandra dynasty of Samatata, a Buddhist kingdom in Bengal, flourished from the 4th-11th centuries CE. Known for its maritime trade links, Chandra kings played a pivotal role in spreading Buddhism to Southeast Asia. #Buddhism

The Rhinoceros Sutra: At the right time consorting with the release through good will, compassion, appreciation, equanimity, unobstructed by all the world, any world, wander alone like a rhinoceros. #Buddhism #Wildlife

Buddhism And The Lekhakas: Cave inscriptions from western India indicate that lekhakas, or scribes were actively involved with the welfare of the Buddhist monastic community. It has been suggested that Dhamma adherents encouraged professional writing in ancient India. 1/ #Buddhism #Inscription

Vitarka: The mudra or gesture of discussion, explanation, and transmission of Dhamma teachings is called Vitarka or Vyakhyana posture in Buddhist art. It is made by touching the tips of the right thumb and the index finger together while raising the other outstretched, 1/ #Buddhism #History

A monk led my travel-buddy and me out a mountain path to a spot a kilometer east of the courtyard of Gaoming Temple on Tiantai Shan in Zhejiang and showed us this stunning Guanyin carved directly into the granite (I presume).

Mission of the Buddha.

The Doctrine Of Anatta: "Individual existence, as well as the whole world, are nothing but a process of ever-changing phenomena which all are comprised in the five Groups of Existence. This process has gone on from time immemorial, before one's birth, and also after one's death it will 1/ #Buddhism

Therapeutae: De vita contemplativa ("The Contemplative Life") attributed to Philo of Alexandria is the primary source of information on Therapeutae, a spiritual sect from Alexandria during the first century CE. 'The religious identity of the spiritual community, which 1/ #Buddhism #History

Karuna: Karuna translates to compassion and signifies selfless concern for the suffering of others. Karuna embodies an active response to alleviate suffering. It is essential in both Theravada and Mahayana sects, where it is paired with wisdom to effectively guide compassionate actions. #Buddhism

84000 has published a translation from the Kangyur honoring Mārīcī.

Simhanada Lokesvara: Bodhisattva of lion's roar who dispels all evil, or Simhanada Lokesvara, is one of the most recognizable figures in Vajrayana Buddhism. His matted hair (jatamukuta) has a half moon. Clad in a tiger skin, the deity has three eyes, a snake and a trident. #Buddhism #Iconography

One of many exquisite murals at remote #Xuanzhong Temple, one-time home of Tanluan (Jp Donran) and thus considered a seat of #PureLand Buddhist teaching in both #China and #Japan. #Buddhism #Temples

Gaṇḍīstotragāthā: Gaṇḍīstotragāthā, attributed to Aśvaghoṣa, is a significant Buddhist hymn known as the Hymn on the Bell. It has survived in Chinese transliteration and Tibetan translation. This text highlights the qualities of the Buddha and is part of the broader tradition of Buddhist music.

Myth Of Tolerance: "However, there is another equally important reason for the failure of Buddhism in India-one that few followers of the Hindutva nationalist movement(which believes that the only good Indian is a Hindu Indian)are prepared to accept:Brahminical intolerance, 1/ #Buddhist #History

Asokakanta Marici: Asokakanta Marici is a variant of Buddhist deity Marici. She occurs both as an independent goddess and as an attendant of Tara. She is called Asokakanta when she holds the bough of an Asoka tree in the left hand and exhibits the Varada mudra in the right. #Buddhism #Iconography

Avalokitesvara - The Dancing Bodhisattva: A Buddhist manuscript from South-east Bengal illustrates various forms of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara as a dancer. Wearing typical anklets, the dance of Avalokitesvara (or Bodhisattvas) is usually associated with joy and new beginnings. #Buddhism #Art

Upekkha: Upekkha is a Buddhist term meaning equanimity, representing a balanced state of mind that remains calm amidst life's fluctuations, such as pleasure and pain, gain and loss. It is one of the four brahmaviharas or sublime states that cultivate wholesome mental qualities. #Buddhism

Work In Buddhism: Buddhist point of view takes function of work to be at least three fold:give one a chance to utilise and develop faculties;enable one to overcome ego by joining with other people in a common task; and to bring forth the goods and services needed for a becoming existence. #Buddhism

The Mahayana Path Of Huviska: A manuscript fragment, now housed in the Martin Schøyen collection in Norway, was recently uncovered among various manuscript fragments from the Bamiyan region. This fragment features an unidentified text written in Sanskrit/Gupta Brāhmī script and appears to be 1/

Shwesandaw: Shwesandaw Pagoda, located in Bagan, Myanmar, is the tallest pagoda in the region, built by King Anawrahta in 1057. It features five terraces and a cylindrical stupa adorned with a bejeweled umbrella. The pagoda houses sacred hairs of Gautama Buddha, obtained from Thaton. #Buddhism

Memories of Buddhism In The Muslim World: "In his book on India [Al]Bīrūnī says that in ancient times the whole region from Khurasan through Fars, Iraq and Mosul to the border of Syria followed the religion of the Shamaniyya and continued to do so untill Zoroaster appeared.." 1/ #Buddhism #History