Wisdom, Compassion and Openness
A bird in flight is a commonly used simile in the teachings of the Buddha in various contexts. At different contexts this simile indicates tracelessness, groundlessness, unobstructedness and effortlessness.
Read more
The liberation story of Punnika Theri. A girl from an oppressed caste, her life transformed upon listening to the Buddha. Later, her wisdom transformed the Brahmin Udakasuddhika. The below narration is based on the liberation songs of Punnika and Udakasuddhika. The songs are present in Therīgātha, a collection of the liberation songs of the Buddha’s female disciples.
Read more
Many ancient Buddha statues, dating back to 7th Century CE onwards were discovered from various parts of Kerala. These Buddha statues smile to the world even today as the embodiment of peace, sublime thought, and the excellence of intellectual climate that prevailed in the region in the foregone eras.
Read more
Rajaghatta in the outskirts of Bangalore,South India was a Buddhist settlement from 2nd century to 7th century CE. Archeologists unearthed the remains of a Mahayana Buddhist Chaitya hall and Vihara (Monastery) along with stupas, in this village.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
This final part of the trilogy on Bodhidharma explores the pivotal role played by Bodhidharma in turning martial arts into a fine art of awakening. Due to the contributions of Bodhidharma and other masters of his genre, martial arts of India, China, Far East and Sri Lanka came to share many commonalities and turned into extensions of inner peace.
Read more