Way of Bodhi

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History & Life Stories

Buddhism in India History & Life Stories 

History of Buddhism in Kerala

Yogi Prabodha Jnana & Yogini Abhaya Devi 0 Comments , ,

There was wide-spread presence of Buddhism in Kerala from the 3rd Century BCE to at least the 12th Century CE. Some world-renowned scholars and yogis in the Mahayana Buddhist tradition like Bhavaviveka, Vajrabodhi, Ayyappa and Paramabuddha were from Kerala. The practices of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara and Bodhisattva Tara originated and spread from Potalaka (Agastyakoodam / Potikai) in the Malaya mountains to the rest of the world. There were also some world-renowned Mahayana Viharas in Kerala, such as Sreemoolavasam.

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Kanchi-Buddhism
Buddhism in India History & Life Stories 

Buddhism in Kanchi – An Ancient City of Learning

Yogi Prabodha Jnana & Yogini Abhaya Devi 6 Comments , , ,

Kanchi (Kanchipuram) in Tamil Nadu was the most significant Buddhist center of learning in South India. Kanchi produced world-renowned scholars and masters of Buddhism such as Bodhidharma, Dignaga, Dharmapala, Buddhaghosa, etc., spanning across Sravakayana and Mahayana. It is also one of the twenty-four power places of Vajrayana Buddhism.

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Blog Buddhism in India History & Life Stories 

Dealing with History without Attachment

Yogi Prabodha Jnana & Yogini Abhaya Devi 0 Comments ,

Exploration of history and archeological evidence of Buddhism in South India shows that Buddhism had been widespread in the South at least till the middle of the last millennium. While historical explorations dispel the attachment to misperceptions about heritage, we should also take care not to turn these new findings into another object of attachment and a cause for negative emotions.

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Padampa Sangye (Pha Dampa Sangye)
Biography Buddhism in India Enlightenment Stories History & Life Stories 

Paramabuddha (Padampa Sangye) and Ayyappa

Yogi Prabodha Jnana & Yogini Abhaya Devi 12 Comments , , , , , ,

Paramabuddha (Padampa Sangye), an Indian Buddhist Mahasiddha, taught Zhije & Chod in Tibet. his birthplace can be identified to be in Kerala, near Sabarimala hills. His connection with Ayyappa is also explored.

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Blog Buddhism in India History & Life Stories 

Sreemoolavasam – an Ancient Buddhist Monastery in Kerala

Yogini Abhaya Devi 3 Comments , , , , ,

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.

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Bodhidharma
Biography Featured History & Life Stories 

Bodhidharma – a Trilogy on his Life and Teachings

Yogini Abhaya Devi 0 Comments , , , ,

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.

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