Settling The Mind

    Buddhist monks explain the importance of meditation in this video. According to Buddhism meditation makes a human being get closer to enlightenment and nirvana, the release of the soul. Buddha himself had to meditate to be an enlightenment being and to learn about life. It's not only important for getting closer to nirvana and enlightenment but also to settle your mind,getting rid of anger,temper,jealousy. Buddhism is going through the emotions that disturb you and trying to get rid of them so that it will bring joy. Also Meditation is the only medicine for mind like how it was mentioned in the video. Of course it's is not the only way to reach the goal. Some Buddhists have different practices, for instance listening to mantras (sacred sounds), performing mudras (making hand gestures and symbols),etc. Finally many people around the world meditate in order to have positive emotions and to settle the mind, it has gone global by spreading around the world with people interactions and media.

That Cliff Looks Like a Buddha!

Leshan Giant Buddha

   Without a shadow of a doubt this is the most amazing Buddha statue in the whole world! Leshan Giant Buddha is carved out of a cliff face in Sichuan, western China. Thousands of workers and sculptures worked on it and it took almost a century to complete (713-803). The sculpture stands above 233 feet and has 11 feet fingers on each of its enormous hands!!Both the statue and the area that it takes place (Maunt Emei Scenic Area) had been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. Ultimately Buddha is the main element for Buddhists and they carry out their beliefs to art by making statues and carving to remind their goal in this life.  

The Light Source

Tripitaka texts

             Tripitaka is the collection of main religious texts in Buddhism. Tripitaka means "Three Baskets" referring to the three categories of it: Sutras, Abhidharma, Vinaya. Each one has their own main idea and they make up the Buddhist canons. Sutras involve descriptions and parables of Buddha which may lead the reader to enlightenment. Abhidharma involves philosophical and physiological discourse and interpretation of Buddhist doctrine. Lastly Vinaya contain rules and regulations for monastic life. Ultimatly these texts help Buddhists finding their way to reach enlightenment and nirvana,which is the main goal. 

                                        

                                                  

                   

Setting The Way

  

    
     Early Buddism remained centered on the Ganges Valley and spreaded gradually from it's ancient heartland India. This is the 1st Buddhist council which was formed after the death of Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. The objective was to record all Buddha's teachings in to the doctrinal teachings as known as Dharma, and to settle certain disciplinary problems and to establish the main rules of the new religion. It was the first time that the religion Buddhism was formally written and established, after this the religion would evolve and eventually spread out thru the world. This historical first council become known as Pancasatika because 500 hundred fully enlightened monks had taken part in it. There were two councils overall and after those the members become known as Sangha which is the Buddist community of monks,nuns,novices and laity. Sangha is one of the "Three Jewels" of Buddhism.