Why, in times of pain, sickness or stress do many Mahayana Buddhists turn to meditation and the mantras of Medicine Buddha? Why is Lapis Lazuli Bhaishajyaguru called the Supreme Healer and the King of Medicine? What empowers the healing power of the the great Lapis Lazuli Light Medicine Buddha, known in Tibetan as Sangye Menla?In times of pain, sickness, or stress, many Mahayana Buddhists rely on sacred Medicine Buddha meditation for healing.  Long Sanskrit Dharani of MEDICINE BUDDHA...

Why are vajra, mala and bell called “practice supports” and what do they actually represent? Why is a Vajrayana Buddhist practitioner expected to always carry a vajra, mala and bell, at least symbolically? How can they be used in our daily, mundane lives to symbolically strengthen this bond? What are the guidelines for the use of a vajra, mala and bell? In this presentation, we try to answer these questions, and more, in our special coverage of the indispensable vajra, mala and bell. All...

For most Vajrayana Buddhists, the practice of Guru Rinpoche, the Lotus Born Padmasambhava, is the most profound of practices for meditations, and accomplishments. Chanting both the mantra of Padmasambhava, and the 7 lines of praise, is the purest form of practice. Chanting the praise in the original mother language of Sanskrit, rather than a translation such as Tibetan, English or other languages, is considered the most effective. In this video, chant along with Hrishikesh Sonar, the 7 lines...

Tara, the Mother of all the Buddhas, emanates in countless forms to help sentient beings. In her most wrathful black form, the 7th of the 21 Taras, she overcomes every evil, every enemy, obstacle, negativity — and even curses or evil forces. All Taras protect. As Black Tara, in her most wrathful form, she tramples and burns them completely so they can never harm us. Her mantra is among the most powerful of protections: oṃ tāre tuttāre ture sarva vidyā avarṇā ye bhye phaṭ svahā  ओं तारे...

Conquering the maras and even death is at the very heart of Buddhism. As the death destroyer, Yamantaka symbolizes this aspiration, and his meditational deity practice is designed to achieve that goal. No deity is more misunderstood than the buffalo-headed deity Vajrabhairava, also known as Yamantaka. Wrathful barely begins to describe Yamantaka. Yet, he is none other than the great Bodhisattva of wisdom, Manjushri, in his most terrible and powerful form. How should we relate to such...

Kalachakra mantra and practice are recommended by great Buddhist teachers such as the Dalai Lama in these difficult times. Chant along with Hrishikesh Sonar, the mantra of Kalachakra presented with beautiful meditative images. To learn more about Kalachakra, watch Buddha Weekly's introductory video linked to the information icon in the top right of this presentation. To chant along, the mantra: Oṃ āḥ hūṃ ho haṃ kṣa mala varaya hūṃ phaṭ The Kalachakra mantra, called the tenfold powerful one —...

Why is Kalachakra practice recommended by great Buddhist teachers such as the Dalai Lama in these difficult times? Why is Kalachakra considered to be a highest yoga meditational form of Shakyamuni Buddha? How can Kalachakra meditation help to relieve our suffering? We answer these questions and more in this short, informative presentation on the the ultimate form of Shakyamuni Buddha. In this time, when wars and disease and economic turmoil arise again in Samsara, Kalachakra is among the...

What are the ten benefits of loving kindness and compassion meditation to health and wellness as supported by peer-reviewed research. How can ten minutes of meditation a day reduce stress, slow aging or decrease illness. What is a simple, guided ten minute loving-kindness meditation? Peer reviewed medical or scientific research identifies at least 10 major health and wellness benefits of loving kindness and compassion meditation. Any one of these would be reason enough to spend ten minutes...

Why is Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva so popular across all traditions of Buddhism? What are the benefits of meditating on Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva? Why is his mantra treasured for stability, riches and wish-granting? We answer these questions, followed by a short visualization meditation of Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva. We finish with the mantra of the great Earth Store Bodhisattva chanted beautifully by Hrishikesh Sonar in Sanskrit. Before we begin, please like, subscribe and turn on notifications to...

Ushnisha Vijaya, also known as Namgyelma in Tibetan, is one of the most beloved and widely practiced buddhas in Mahayana Buddhism. Why do Vajrayana Buddhists rely on the life-affirming, long-life Buddha Ushnisha Vijaya to support health and auspicious long life? What sutra, taught by the Buddha, contains the teachings on Ushnisha Vijaya and her Dharani? How can we meditate on Ushnisha Vijaya and bring her blessings into our life? We explore these questions in this short documentary on her...

Why is Mahakala associated with miracles and protection in Tibetan Buddhism? What do crows, three men in black, black dogs, black horses and black wolves have to do with Black Mahakala? How can wrathful Black Mahakala be considered none other than Chenrezig, Avalokiteshvara, the Lord of Compassion? In this short documentary, we answer these questions, and more, and end with a magnificent chanting of six-armed Mahakala's mantra by Yoko Dharma! Crows, black dogs, wolves, horses and the "Men in...

Buddha Weekly Present Sanskrit Praise chanted by  Hrishikesh Sonar for Buddha Weekly The 21 Praises to Tara are famous for blessing activity, protection, healing, long-life practice and wish-fulfillment. Tara, the Mother of the Buddhas, emanates in countless forms to help suffering beings in our troubled world.  om namo bhagavatyai āryaśrī ekaviṃśati tārāyai  namastāre ture vīre  tuttāre bhayanāśini ture sarvārthade tāre svāhākāre namo’stute 1st Tara namastāre ture vīre kṣaṇa dyuti...

Chant along now, with the Amazing Yoko Dharma, as she beautifully sings the glorious eight lines of praise to Vajra yogini in Sanskrit, with beautiful meditative images. These, unlike the mantra, are not generally considered restricted, although be guided by your own teacher. OM NAMO BHAGAVATE BAGAVATE BAGAVATE VAJRA VARAHI BAM HUM HUM PHAT  OM NAMO ARYA  APARA-JITE  TRAI-LOKYA  MATI VIDYESHVARI HUM HUM PHAT OM NAMO SARVA BHUTA BHAYA  VAHE MAHA VAJRA HUM HUM PHAT OM NAMO VAJRA SANI AJITE...

Why do many Buddhist teachers describe Vajrayogini as the one practice for our busy, hectic, terrifying times which can lead us, in one lifetime, to Enlightenment?  Why is Vajrayogini the Sarva Buddha Dakini — the Dakini who is the essence of all the Buddhas? What are the ten benefits of her practice? How can we practice Vajrayogini now, if we don't yet have empowerment and permission of a teacher? We answer these questions, and more, in our brief documentary on the great Dakini Queen...

Ushnisha Vijaya is one of the most beloved and widely practiced Buddhas in Mahayana Buddhism. She represents the epitome of physical health, vitality, and longevity. Her practices are highly recommended for increasing these qualities in ourselves. The practice can be as simple as chanting her mantra, while visualizing her in front of you with healing energy flowing into your body. Chant along with Hrishikesh Sonar, the beautiful short Sanskrit mantra. Mantra: OM BRUM SVAHA OM AMRITA AYUR DA...

Buddhist teachers are universal in their enthusiasm for White Tara practice. Almost every teacher has real-life stories of people close to them who have been helped by White Tara, especially for health, long-life and auspiciousness. According to Venerable Lama  Phuntsock: White Arya Tara, from among the 21 Taras, frees practitioners from untimely death. It is truly possible to extend the span of one’s life by practicing White Tara and this will be very beneficial for one’s Dharma...

Green Tara is famous for her windy activity, sweeping to the rescue of sentient beings, with the force and speed of a hurricane. In Vajrayana Buddhism, Female Buddhas represent Wisdom. For this reason, she is described as the mother of all the Buddhas. Tara represents the unique and awesome intersection of Activity and Wisdom. Her role, as the "activity aspect of all the Buddhas," is as vast as the universe.  This is why her many activity roles include rescues, protection, healing, long...

Why does Vajrapani Bodhisattva's name mean "indestructible hand of the Buddha?" Why is he also called the "Lord or Secrets"? Why is Vajrapani one of the three most important Bodhisattvas?  Come along with us now as we get to know this wrathful emanation of Vajrapani, the embodiment of the power of all the Buddhas. After our brief documentary, listen or chant along with the Sanskrit version of his mantra — famous for accomplishing the Enlightened power, overcoming all of our...

In Buddhism, Bodhisattva Vajrapani's ultimate power activity mantra is famous for its inspiring benefits — protecting, strengthening and empowering our practice. His mantra is the highest expression of ultimate activity, or karma.  Listen or chant along with the Sanskrit version of his mantra — famous for cultivating power, chanted beautifully by Hrishikesh Sonar with beautiful meditative images.  Om Vajrapani Hum Support the show

Buddha taught us how to purify obstacles, obscurations, negative karma, even disease, through Vajrasattva meditation, visualization and mantras. Chant along the 100-syllable Sanskrit mantra, here beautifully chanted by Hrishikesh Sonar, with the meditative images of Vajrasattva. Visualize all of your negativities, obstacles and diseases purified by glorious white light. Listening or chanting are both beneficial. For chant along: Oṃ Vajrasattva samayam anupālaya Vajrasattva tvenopatiṣṭha dṛḍho...

Why is wrathful Buddha Vajrakilaya, described by Garchen Rinpoche as "the mind of great love?" Can such a ferocious embodiment of Enlightenment really calm the mind and tame our obstacles, both external and internal? Why is Vajrakilaya — also called Vajrakumara — considered the activity of all the Buddhas? Come along with us now as we get to know this wrathful emanation of Vajrasattva, the embodiment of the activity of all the Buddhas. After our brief introduction, listen or chant along with...

In Buddhism, Manjushri's ultimate wisdom mantra is famous for its cognitive and meditative benefits. His mantra is the highest expression of ultimate wisdom, or prajna. Listen or chant along with the Sanskrit version of his mantra — famous for cultivating wisdom, chanted beautifully by Hrishikesh Sonar with beautiful meditative images. On the last recitation, the syllable Dhi is repeated over and over. Om Ah Ra Pa Cha Na Dhi Support the show

Avalokiteshvara Compassion Mantra chanted 108 times beautifully by the amazing Hrishikesh Sonar — with stunning meditative images of the Great Compassionate Bodhisattva. His compassion mantra is Om Mani Padme Hum. This is considered the most precious of all mantras, chanted millions of times daily by people around the world, and found in nearly all prayer wheels. Avalokiteshvara (Avalokiteśvara (Sanskrit: अवलोकितेश्वर) In Tibet, he is known as Chenrézik on Chenrezig. In East Asia, he or she...

Vajrakilaya and his mantra is important in our modern world — since Vajrakilaya is the activity of all the Buddhas. He is the wrathful Heruka emanation of glorious Buddha Vajrasattva. At the same time, he is the ultimate expression of Bodhichitta and compassion and love. Listen or chant along with the Sanskrit version of his mantra — famous for accomplishing the Enlightened activities and overcoming our obstacles, chanted beautifully by Hrishikesh Sonar. Om Vajra Kili Kilaya Sarva Vighnam Vam...