Buddha Groove: Buddha Quotes | Buddha Statues Meaning | Buddhist Traditions

What does Samadhi mean?

 

Samadhi refers to a highly evolved level of meditation. Yoga schools call this Dhyana.

Etymologically, Samadhi is divided into three parts. ‘Sam’ means holistic, ‘a’ is going towards and ‘dha’ is achievement. Together, Sam-a-dhi translates as the attainment of wholeness. Samadhi is generally associated with complete control of the mind.

The Yoga Sutras classify Samadhi into four stages. Laya Samadhi begins in intense meditation and manifests as a wellspring of joy akin to that experienced during dancing or singing.

In Savikalpa Samadhi, the meditator briefly experiences space and time in a different way. His/her imagination (kalpa) remains active and hence he/she ‘sees’ the myriad desires that remain unfulfilled in his/her life. In this Samadhi however, the realization comes that he/she is but an instrument in their completion. Ideas flood in, but are observed detachedly. 

In the third stage – Nirvikalpa Samadhi – such attachments and the actions that give rise to them (karma) dissolve.  The heart ceases to beat. The meditator is filled with infinite bliss and becomes both the object of joy and the one who rejoices. There is a sense of tremendous power accompanied by the sensation of containing the universe within. This may endure for a few hours or several days and is achieved only by a few spiritual masters. Emerging from Nirvikalpa Samadhi, one may not recall his/her name or communicate normally and may experience reluctance to return to functioning like an ordinary human being.

Sahaja Samadhi Is the supreme level of meditation where the meditator attains the highest levels of consciousness yet is able to function effectively in the material world. Such an individual has conquered reality, a rare feat. To experience Sahaja Samadhi, it is necessary to become one with the divine.

Mahasamadhi is the term used to describe a spiritual master’s deliberate leaving of his body to unite with divine.

What is the role and concept of meditation in Buddhism?

 

The Dhammapada, Buddhism’s sacred text containing the teachings of
Gautama Buddha, says:

All that we are is the result of what we have thought;
it is founded on our thoughts, it is made up of our thoughts.

(Dhammapada, Chapter 1:1-2)

Simply put, our mental states shape our perceptions of the world and make us what we are. Often, this takes us down the wrong path, leading to great distress or harmful ways of living. Buddhist practice emphasizes meditation as a method to turn the mind inwards, away from the illusory external world. Delving deep into one’s inner experiences is the way to understanding the reality of the world and the nature of our own experiences. This is outlined in the Threefold Path – the basic steps in Buddhist practice towards spiritual awakening.

The section of the Threefold Path that concerns the mind is called Samadhi, a term that encompasses several meanings – discipline of the mind, concentration and meditation.

In Buddhism, meditation is not a technique that is isolated from the rest of one’s life. To meditate effectively, the practitioner must first make the effort to live ethically, letting go of harmful, negative thoughts, acts and words. Living in a way that is beneficial to oneself and others, without wearying of the effort, lays the foundation for sound meditation practice.

Meditation clears the mind and builds concentration. It is a vital step towards the next step on the Path – acquiring wisdom.

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Why do we burn incense in Buddhist rituals?

 

Incense burning is an ancient religious ritual common to Egypt, India and East Asia. It is steeped in symbolism. In Buddhism, it is a sacred offering, a way to honor the Triple Gem of the Buddha, his Dharma and the Sangha. The burning of an incense stick resulting in fragrant smoke teaches the necessity to burn away negative qualities within oneself in order to reveal the pure self within.

The aroma of incense, typically derived from herbs, flowers and other natural sources, purifies the atmosphere and inspires us to develop a pure mind. The fragrance it gives off spreads far and wide, just as a good deed brings benefits to many. Incense rises and dissolves into the air, subtly reminding the viewer of the transient nature of existence.

 

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About Vajra and Bell, Buddhist Ritual Tools

 

Vajra in the original Sanskrit translates both as “adamantine” and “thunderbolt”. A Buddhist ritual object resembling a small scepter, it symbolizes the eternal quality of a diamond – an extremely durable substance that cuts but cannot be cut – and the overwhelming force of the thunderbolt. In non-material terms, these qualities represent the resolute spirit and great power.

The vajra is accompanied by a ghanta or bell in Tantric and Vajrayana Buddhist rituals. The vajra represents compassion, here a male principle; the bell symbolizes the feminine principle of wisdom. Vajra and ghanta can be seen in the hands of several Buddhist deities. Enlightenment can be accomplished only when wisdom and compassion unite. In another interpretation, vajra represents the mind and ghanta the body. The sound of the bell is the Buddha’s speech.

The vajra has a central sphere representing sunyata, the limitless void of the universe. From this emerge two sixteen-petaled lotus blossoms, one denoting samsara, the material world and the other, nirvana, a sphere that lies beyond human consciousness. The periphery of each lotus features five prongs consisting of sets of two, four or eight mythical creatures, whose tongues unite at a point. Each set represents negative qualities from the material world (“poisons”) and their opposing, superior qualities or “wisdoms”, associated with spiritually enlightened beings. Thus, the poison of delusion is analogous to the wisdom of reality; likewise, the mirror-image of pride is equanimity. The five wisdoms are linked to five Buddhas – Amitabha, Akshobhya, Ratnasambhava, Vairocana and Amogasiddhi.

A vajra with closed prongs is a benign object held by compassionate deities. In the hands of wrathful deities, the prongs are open; it becomes a symbol of righteous anger, wielded against injustice.

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A Heart Warming Prayer Sent to us Recently...

 

May I be the doctor
and the medicine

and may I be the nurse
for all sick beings in the world

until everyone is healed.

 

- Buddhist Prayer

 

Mini Mini Prayer Wheel

Mini-Mini Prayer Wheel. So Mini, we had to share it.

http://www.buddhagroove.com/handheld-mini-prayer-wheel.html

Singing Bowl - Buddhist Ritual Tool

This unique Buddhist ritual tool gets its name from its shape. In terms of purpose, it is not a bowl at all! Rather, it is an inverted, broad-bottomed bell resting upon a base. Known by various names – Tibetan bowl, Himalayan bowl, medicine bowl and rin gong, this bell was crafted in countries where Buddhism flourished, from India, Tibet and Nepal to China, Korea and Japan. The best bowls are deemed to come from the Himalayan region.

The bowls are multi-phonic instruments, traditionally hammered into shape by hand. As they age, their tones become mellower and deeper.  An alloy of copper, zinc, tin, iron and zinc – the traditional Sanskrit Panchaloha or “five metals” besides other metals was used to fashion singing bowls. Many antique bowls contain precious metals like gold and silver, while the most valuable ones contain “sky iron”, derived from fallen meteorites. Antique bowls are often engraved with abstract designs. Bowls made of simpler alloys produce a single tone.

The singing bowl is used during Buddhist practices like meditation, prayer and trance induction. Friction created by a mallet rubbed around its rim produces astonishingly complex and continuous overtones of great harmony. A more mellow tone can be produced by striking the bowl with a mallet wrapped in soft material. Typically, the bowl is struck during a particular point in the chanting of a mantra or prayer song to mark time. Chinese Buddhists are known to use another ritual tool, the wooden fish, along with the singing bowl.

 These ancient musical implements, dating back perhaps to the 10th century or even earlier, are popularly used today outside Buddhist practice in alternative medicine like sound and music therapy and yoga or simply enjoyed for their rich and beautiful sound.

 

Pictured Above: Singing Bowl from Buddha Groove

 

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Buddhist Ritual Tool: Tingsha

Tingshas are cymbals used as ritual tools in Tibetan Buddhist prayers and ceremonies. Tied to the two ends of a cord, they produce a pure, high-pitched sound when struck. Uniquely, the tone that emanates from them is an extremely long one. The name “tingsha” is derived from two syllables in Tibetan – “ting” is the sound produced by the metal and “sha” means “hanging”.

Tingshas were traditionally handcrafted, using the Tibetan sand-casting technique. Artisans used fine-grained, wet sand to create two moulds which they baked repeatedly over charcoal.  Molten bell-metal, made of a tin and copper alloy would be poured into the moulds once they were ready. Finally, the artisan would hammer around the thick periphery of the tingshas, ensuring that each pair had an identical pitch.  From selecting pure raw materials to skillful tuning, the ancient process of making tingshas was a devoted and painstaking endeavor. Modern techniques have considerably lowered the production complexities of tingshas.

Tingshas are used during specific rituals such as those in which food offerings or guidance prayers are made to “hungry ghosts.” This derives from the Hindu tradition of ancestor worship. The cymbals are also used for meditation. Their sound is said to cleanse the spirit, clearing the mind of all thoughts during meditation and paving the way for a post-meditation state of great mental clarity.


Pictured Above: Small Tingsha Buddhist Gift Box from Buddha Groove's Rituals & Practice Collection

 

 

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Om

The sacred symbol Om (Aum), which in Hindu philosophy is said to represent the primordial sound of the universe, is widely used in mainstream Buddhism, though it has differing connotations.

It is a little known fact that Gautama Buddha discouraged the use of mantras and other “magical” terms as practiced in the Vedas.  Later however, the Mahayana and Vajrayana schools of Buddhism adopted Vedic traditions like chanting mantras and meditation as a way of self-protection and spiritual purification.

To Buddhists, Om represents the external aspects of a sentient being – his body, speech and mind. The best known use of the mantra is in the Tibetan Buddhist prayer Om Mani Padme Hum, also known as the Mani mantra. When chanted loudly or silently within, the mantra invokes Chenrezig, the Buddha of Compassion. Even looking at a written version of the mantra produces the effect of attracting the blessings of Chenrezig. For this reason, the mantra is carved into prominently displayed stones, where it can easily be spotted. In this mantra, chanting “Om” loosens the grip of the ego on the mind. His Holiness The Dalai Lama, expounding on the power of the Mani mantra, once said that by chanting it regularly, “you can transform your impure body, speech and mind into the pure body, speech, and mind of a Buddha.”

Pictured Above: Sterling Silver Buddhist Om Pendant from Buddha Groove

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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 several 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.

 

Pictured Above: Handheld Prayer Wheel from Buddha Groove

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