These words are from the Dohakosha of the great Indian Mahasiddha Tilopa. Tilopa’s sahajīya poetry – his dohas, are composed in Apabhramsha, a dialect spoken those days in the North Indian plains.
21Feb/18
30Jan/18
Oneness without oneness – On Mahasiddha Shavaripa
Mahasiddha Shabaripada (Shavaripa): oneness of one-taste of Great Bliss is not an oneness to be grasped on to. Leading to carefree conduct and compassion
07Dec/17
Awakening is in Our Nature – The Buddha Nature
The qualities of awakening – profound peace, luminosity, compassion, etc. – are naturally present as the true nature of mind – the Buddha nature. Here, we shall see how the natural state remains obscured and can be rediscovered.
05Dec/17
Pervading the World with Metta – Kakacupama Sutta
In Kakacupama Sutta and Maha-Rahulovada Sutta, the Buddha teaches how to maintain the attitude of boundless lovingkindness (maitri/ metta) and compassion (karuna) to all beings, as the unshaken basis for one’s relationship with the world. The Tathagata shows how pervading the world with this deep sense of kindness and compassion lead us to experience profound peace, patience and openness.
01Sep/17
The Fleeting Dreams of Reality – On the Nature of Dream and Reality
The solidity that we attribute to our existence is similar to the solidity that we attribute to dreams while we are in the dream. This article explores the empty nature of reality in experiential terms through parallels between dream state and waking state
01Sep/17
The Splendor of Transience – Lalitavistara Sutra on Impermanence
For someone who do not notice the dreamlike nature of life, impermanence of life can be a depressing fact. But, contemplating on impermanence in this way breaks open the cocoon of wrong view. Then, we can recognize the play of awareness in its full splendor and beauty, all through this life and beyond. In Lalitavistara Sutra Buddha points to this fact.
30Aug/17
Sahaja Yoga – The Way of Saraha
Dohakosha of Mahasiddha Saraha is one of the first in the doha style of poetry to appear in India. In this beautiful song, Saraha teaches the path of Sahaja-yoga (the natural way). Saraha (सरहा /Sarahapada) was one of the great Indian Buddhist Mahasiddhas.
25Jul/17
Sreemoolavasam – an Ancient Buddhist Monastery in Kerala
Sreemoolavasam Mahayana Monastery was one of the ancient Buddhist centers in South India (in South Kerala) and had a famous Avalokitesvara statue, with Tara and Bhrikuti on two sides. The then Ay King Vikamaditya Varaguna was a patron of this monastery.
09Jul/17
Existence is Absurd without Compassion
Our existence is absurd and utterly meaningless if we remain cocooned in the shell of self-interest. In that case, Samsara is a never-ending struggle of emotions and confusions with uncertain bouts of pain and pleasure. However, when the sprouts of great compassion for all beings without partiality arise in us, a it turns into the mind of awakening, Bodhicitta.
13Jun/17
Bodhidharma – a Trilogy on his Life and Teachings
A biographical sketch of Bodhidharma along with an introduction to his essential teachings. The first part narrates his life story. The second part of the trilogy delves deeper into his teachings. The final part explores Bodhidharma’s links with martial arts and healing traditions of India, China and Sri Lanka.