Buddhism

Virtue, Calligraphy by Hakuin

By Buddhism Now on 25 July 2015 • ( 1 )

This oversize rendition of the character for “virtue” (toku 悳) reflects the exuberant spiritual energy projected by Hakuin Ekaku, who was one of the foremost proponents of the revival of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism in late Edo Japan. Originally composed by Chinese historian and scholar of Confucianism Sima Guang (1018–1086), the inscription reads:

Ethnicity and Buddhism in the UK, by Noy Thomson

By Buddhism Now on 11 July 2015 • ( 0 )

Ethnicity and Buddhism in the UK, by Noy Thomson (Thai name Mom Rajawongse Saisvasdi Svastis Thomson) at The ‘British Buddhist Landscape —Transplantation and Growth’ conference. Short film, about 17 minutes.

An introduction to mindfulness meditation by Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche (part 1)

By Buddhism Now on 4 July 2015 • ( 0 )

Buddhist video: An introduction to mindfulness meditation by Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche at Benchen Monastery on 27 April 2014. (about 1 hour 23 minutes)

How Things Are, by Ajahn Sumedho

By Buddhism Now on 27 June 2015 • ( 7 )

This is what we are all involved with. This is what life is for us at this time. We are all alive now, living within the restrictions of our bodies and minds. Whether you like it, approve of it, or whatever, it doesn’t matter…

This colossal figure of Gautama represents the most popular Burmese form of the historical Buddha

Photographs of India and Burma, 1852-1860 by Captain Linnaeus Tripe

By Buddhism Now on 23 June 2015 • ( 1 )

Captain Linnaeus Tripe (1822-1902) was a pioneer of early photography who created an outstanding body of work depicting the landscape and architecture of India and Burma (now Myanmar) in the 1850s. This major presentation of Tripe’s photographs most striking views taken between 1852 and 1860.

White Tara and Green Tara © Metropolitan Museum of Art

Two Levels of Truth, by Lama Chime Rinpoche

By Buddhism Now on 17 June 2015 • ( 12 )

It is said that for the absolute, one has wisdom, and for the relative, one has compassion. After his enlightenment Buddha did not need to teach people in order for them to become essentially wiser; he did so in order to try to help people, to provide them with a means by which some of them could come to the same understanding that he had reached…

Zen Principles and Practices

By Buddhism Now on 8 June 2015 • ( 0 )

Documentary showing life in a Rinzai Zen temple. ‘Zen Principles and Practices’. Old Zen film 1986ish. Four parts of 29 minutes each. The film is not studio quality, but wonderful all the same.