Health and Compassion

Seed of Mindfulness - Thich Nhat Hanh

Every one of us already has the seed of mindfulness. The practice is to cultivate it.

Reflection of Ourselves

Are Buddhists Idol Worshippers?

Buddhists are not idol worshippers but ideal worshippers. ALTHOUGH it is customary amongst Buddhists to keep Buddha images and to pay their respects to the Buddha, Buddhists are not idol worshippers. Idolatry generally means erecting images of unknown gods and goddesses in various shapes and sizes and to pray directly to these images as if the images themselves are the gods. The prayers are a request to the gods for guidance and protection. The gods and goddesses are asked to bestow health, wealth, prosperity and to provide for various needs; they are also asked to forgive transgressions.

The Five Buddha Families.

Linda V. Lewis Via elephant journal on May 6, 2010

The Buddha Families—Buddha, Vajra, Ratna, Padma, Karma.

The Buddha families as presented by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche are a description of five qualities of energy.

Dhammapada Verse 172

Verse 172

There are those who awaken from heedlessness.
          They bring light into the world
                      like the moon
                emerging from clouds. 

Smile