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What is significance of Ganesha in Buddhism?

Hindu traders from the 10th century onwards introduced Ganesha to the rest of Asia. Along with other Hindu gods (Brahma, Indra, Shiva and Vishnu), Ganesha was assimilated into Buddhism.

 The Ganesha of Buddhism is quite at variance with the god that Hindus are familiar with. He is the only Hindu god regarded as a bodhisattva a (Buddha-to-be).  Ganesha is an ambivalent figure in Tibetan Buddhism. Some scriptures depict him as Vinayaka, a demon who must be propitiated in order to avoid destruction. He is also shown being trampled upon by a Buddhist deity, Mahakala.  In another form, he is the Destroyer of Obstacles, Nrtta Ganapati, the dancing god who made his way into Tibet through Nepal. As a red, many-limbed and fearfully armed deity, he is an emanation of Avalokiteswara, the Buddhist deity.

The early Buddhists took Ganesha with them to Japan, where he became a minor deity called Kangiten. Several rituals and beliefs practiced by his worshippers in Japan correspond with the Indian cult of Ganapatya. Many prominent temples have been dedicated to Ganesha in Japan. While businessmen propitiate him for success in their enterprises, young lovers pray to him for a fruitful courtship

Buddhist Prayer Wheel

A Buddhist Prayer Wheel is a hollow cylinder made of wood, metal, leather or coarse cotton. The mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum” is traditionally embossed on the wheel. The mantra is particularly associated with “Shadakshari” form of legendary “Avalokiteshvara”. As Dalai Lama is believed to do the incarnation of Avalokiteshvara so the mantra is specially respected by his devotees. Primarily used by Buddhists of Tibet and Nepal as hand held prayer wheels, it is believed that spinning a prayer wheel is as effective as reciting sacred text aloud.

The idea of spinning mantras originated from various Tantric practices where the mantras are   visualized revolving around the “nadis” and meridian charkas such as brain and heart. The wheel is spinned clockwise with compassion and devotion. The practitioner should keep calm, meditative mind and repeat the mantra as many times as possible while spinning the prayer wheel to develop wisdom, “bodhichitta” (full enlightenment for benefit of all beings) and compassion. As per myth - spinning the wheel by one revolution evokes 50 blessing.

Inside the prayer wheel there is a scroll with the same mantra repeated fifty times. The prayer wheels come in different sizes and types. Some are small, attached to stick and made to spin by hand. Medium sizes are found at monasteries near the gate, devotees spin the wheel before passing gates. There are larger prayer wheels turned by flowing water. The water touched by the wheel is believed to be sacred.

Many Buddhists believe that prayer wheel is “Wheel of Law” that has been set in motion by The Buddha.

You can buy the Buddhist Prayer Wheel pictured about at Buddha Groove.

Buddhist Prayer Flags Spread Good Fortune

When the breeze blows Buddhist prayer flags, harmony, happiness, and good fortune are spread among all living beings. These prayer flags are squares of colored fabric with symbols, mantras, sutras, and prayers that enhance the spirits and lives of anyone nearby. The flags fly anywhere that Tibetans and followers of Tibetan Buddhism live.

Prayer flags were first used for healing ceremonies in pre-Buddhist Tibet 1,000s of years ago. As time went on, sacred symbols were painted onto the prayer flags. By the 15th century, wood block prints were being used to printing text and designs on the flags. The wood blocks made it possible to standardize the designs and pass them down from generation to generation.

Prayer flags come in sets of five, with each flag in a different color to represent the elements: yellow for the earth, green for water, red for fire, white for clouds, and blue for sky. The most prevalent symbol on prayer flags is the Wind Horse carrying the Wish Fulfilling Jewel of Enlightenment, which preseents good fortune. Other symbols seen quite often are the Eight Symbols of Good Fortune, the Seven Possessions of a Monarch, and the Union of Opposites.

The text on the flags are mantras, sutras, and prayers written in Tibetan script. Mantras are Sanskrit syllables that are repeated during meditation that controls the energies of existence. A sutra is a short teaching based on the wisdom of Shakyamuni Buddha. Prayers are aspirations and good wishes written by Buddhist masters over history.

There are many types of prayer flags. The Wind Horse (Lung- ta) flags increase the good fortune energy of any beings nearby. The Wind Horse is shown in the center of a flag with the Four Dignities in the corners: the Garuda, the Sky Dragon, the Lion and the Tiger. The Victorious Banner prayer flag protects against enemies, diseases, and other obstacles. The Health and Longevity prayer flag has mantras and prayers for long life and health, as well as a Buddha's sutra on long life. The Wish Fulfilling Prayer flag increases good fortune and protects against famine, natural disasters and war.

Prayer flags may be hung from trees, poles and laundry lines. Our of respect, prayer flags should not touch the ground, and they should be burned when worn out. Buddhist prayer flags are a beautiful way to enhance the harmony and good fortune in our environment.

Lucid Dreaming

Lucid dreaming, also known as an out of body experience or astral travel, is the practice of mentally waking up during a dream. People who practice this through Meditation and Dream Yoga are able to gain conscious control over the elements within a dream. Tibetan Buddhists believe work done during a dream helps gain skills to meet challenges presented to the soul upon death, therefore lucid dreaming is of utmost importance to a Buddhist’s overall wellbeing.

In order to reach this heightened state of lucid dreaming, one must develop discipline to train the mind and body. The most basic technique of achieving lucid dreaming is to view everything during the day as if it were a dream. This helps the brain to learn what it feels like to be conscious instead of just assuming it. By being aware of this conscious state, it will be easier to stimulate the state of lucidness within dreaming.

Another, more specific technique is dream recollection. Tibetan Buddhists believe that during dreams the self travels to places it has been and repeats past experiences. For this reason, it is an important practice to meditate upon recent experiences and dreams. During this time the body must remain perfectly still since any movement will disrupt the astral body, causing the mind to lose the memories. When training the mind and body to undergo lucid dreaming, it is important to not give up or lose patience. The mind must be free of all dissuading thoughts and able to let go of negativity.

Lucid dreaming has occurred for over 1,000 years and is known by Tibetan Buddhists as dream yoga. They use it to achieve a heightened sense of being and to awaken the consciousness in the dream state. During this awareness, their ultimate goal is to harness the power within lucid dreaming in order to move onto the next level on their path by completing several steps.

Once the power of lucid dreaming is harnessed Tibetan Buddhists aspire to practice sadhana, obtain empowerments and initiations, travel to different places, correspond with an enlightened being, meet with others, be able to fly and shape shift into different forms.

It is believed that by apprehending the dream and becoming consciously aware, the body is removed of any physical stimuli and the mind is removed of conceptual stimuli usually provided by the dream. In this state, one can reach the purest form of conscious awareness.

Anyone can experience lucid dreaming by meditating and learning how to recall past memories and dreams. It takes practice, but nothing worth achieving is easy to obtain.

Cool Buddhist Traditions in Various Countries - Part II

The teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, better known as Buddha, have been followed for over two and a half millennia. In this vast amount of time, it has spread to a majority of countries and has the fourth highest number of followers when considered a religion. Since it has spread to so many different areas, local customs have developed in each country. These include:

China’s Festival of Hungry Ghosts. This is one of China’s last remaining elaborate festivals. Its primary purpose is to take care of all those who have passed away and do not have any living descendants to take care of them.

Japan’s Dharma Wish Dolls. Japan’s form of Buddhism is inspired mainly by Bodhidharma’s teachings. Bodhidharma dolls, also known as dharma or daruma wish dolls, are usually male and have no arms or legs. When they are first made, the eyes are blank. The recipient of the doll fills in part of one eye while thinking of a wish. Once that wish comes true, the eyes are fully painted in. Similarly, the doll can be made to remind someone of a task that needs to be completed. In this case, one eye is partially drawn in to remind the person of the impending task and completed upon the task being finished.

Thailand’s “Ziam Zee”. In order to find out their future, Buddhists in Thailand shake a container of sticks until a stick with a number comes out. The number on the stick corresponds with the number on a paper. This paper is similar to a fortune and tells what will happen in the future.

India’s Wish Tree. In India, it is believed that if you write a wish upon a piece of paper and tie it to a wishing tree the wind will blow the words into the air, making the wish come true.

Sri Lanka’s Temple Customs. When in a Sri Lanka temple, if you come across a layperson it is customary to put your hands into the anjali gesture and say “Ayubowan” which translates to “Long Life”. It is not customary to fully bow when meeting a monk, but to just put your hands together in the same anjali gesture and give a slight bow out of respect. Also, a match should be put out with the flick of the wrist and not blown upon after lighting a candle in a temple.

Tibet’s “Om Mani Padme Hum” Stones. In various places in Tibet there are piles of stones with the inscription ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’, the mantra for compassion and benevolence, on each stone. Devout Buddhists coming upon these piles customarily walk around it clockwise, offer a prayer and then move on. While stupas, religious shrines, prayer wheels and Mani stones are to be walked around in a clockwise manner, it is tradition to walk counterclockwise around a Bon monastery.

Some Interesting Buddhist Traditions: Part I; Know more? Add them here.

Flowers used in Buddhist worship signify that human life is not permanent but short lived like the life span of a flower.

Buddhists wedding ceremonies are not performed by monks. The ceremonies may go on for days at a stretch.

The creator of Zen Buddhism was a south-Indian prince, Bodhidharma, who became a monk. It is said he spent nine years staring at a wall in meditation. This wall was the wall of a cave in Mount Songshan, Hunan Province, China.

In Japan they have Bodhidharma “wish dolls” that have no eyes. When your wish comes true, you paint in the eyes.

Butter sculptures are an interesting feature in Tibetan Buddhism. Monks shape sculptures out of butter, constantly dipping their hands in cold water to keep the butter from melting. These sculptures are kept at family shrines and monastery altars as offerings.

Mounds of stones with the inscription ‘Om mani padme hum’ on each stone are a common sight in Tibet. On coming across such a mound, devout Buddhists walk around it clockwise, offer a prayer and then move on.