Greeting the Teacher: Presenting a Khata (silk scarf) is used as a greeting in the Tibetan tradition. It is usually handed to a Geshe or Rinpoche especially when one has an audience with the teacher, on special occasions or at Dharma festivals, or at the conclusion of a teaching or initiation. Once presented, the Khata […]
Greeting the Statues (Buddha, Je Tsongkhapa, and Maitreya)
From a simple bow to a full prostration, Buddhists of different countries pay homage to the Buddha and other object of veneration in a variety of ways. For example, bowing to the Buddha’s statue is a sign of respect for the Buddha and his teachings. Moreover, lowering oneself before the Buddha is also an act […]
Glossary of Buddhist Terms
Abhidharma (Tib. chö mgön pa) The Buddhist teachings are often divided into the Tripitaka: the Sutras (teachings of the Buddha), the Vinaya (teachings on conduct or moral ethic), and the Abhidharma which is an extensive analysis of phenomena. With respect to mental states and factors, the Abhidharma, for example, lists the 100 states of the […]
Buddhist Etiquette — What Some Westerners Don’t Know
We are happy to meet and greet new visitors, and in order to make you feel comfortable and understand some of the traditions and practices of Tibetan Buddhism, we provide this little guide. Keep in mind that the monastery is a place where Westerners meet an Eastern religious tradition that was integrated into Tibetan culture; […]
What to Expect in a Buddhist Monastery
We know that it can be a little intimidating to visit a meditation center or monastery for the first time. However, we do everything we can to make you feel welcome and comfortable. We hope that your visit will be beneficial, and if you have questions about specific activities, check out the detailed descriptions […]
Additional Q&A
How do Buddhists worship? Buddha is a generic word that means ‘Awakened One’. There have been countless Buddhas in the past and countless people will become Buddhas in the future. Buddhists regard all Buddhas as perfect guides, and practitioners develop faith in them and rely upon them as Spiritual Guides. By relying upon enlightened beings, […]
Electronic Applications
Dharma Treasure This free application is the very door to numerous electronic publications. Dharma teachings in English, as well as a collection of over 300 Tibetan scriptures in Tibetan language, are available for viewing on your phone or tablet. The Tibetan calendar, with all the special days for practitioners, is also included, which also include […]
Notes on Making Offerings
Making Offerings Making offerings help us to develop spiritual qualities by accumulating merit. Therefore, any act performed with a virtuous motivation brings merits, and the purer the objects of our offering, the greater the merit. If a student requests that lama presents a particular teaching, an empowerment or an interview, it is appropriate and customary […]
Q&A
Will I be pressured to join or convert? Absolutely not! Our activities are free and open to curious people of all backgrounds. Buddhism does not set itself apart from other religions, nor attach importance to “converting.” It is practice-oriented not ideological. Some people who follow the teachings of Buddha choose to identify themselves as Buddhist. […]
Recommended Books
Essential Mind Training (Tibetan Classics) Essential Mind Training is the first volume in the Tibetan Classics series, which aims to make available accessible paperback editions of key Tibetan Buddhist works drawn from Wisdom Publications’ Library of Tibetan Classics. The key to happiness is not the eradication of all problems but rather the development of a […]