Understanding the benefits of wanting less go back millennia. Socrates said: “The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.” I had always loved to shop. A lot. I could spend a whole Saturday going from store to store without stopping. In fact, some ...
After proposing to build the world’s largest hydroelectric dam on Tibet’s sacred Yarlung Tsangpo River, China has taken a further step by establishing new rules to place Tibet’s Buddhist monasteries and nunneries of the Larung Gar region — one of the largest monasteries in Tibet — under its control. This move is seen by many ...
For eons, monks have been meditating in the caves of the cold and barren Himalayas. Disciples are taught the nature of supernatural abilities inherent in a human body (what Indian yogis call siddhis) and how to work with them. Ascetics, totally isolated from the modern world, apparently possess the power to defy extreme weather conditions ...
Maintaining your state of equilibrium spiritually, mentally, and physically is crucial when it comes to living a life that measures up to your true potential. In a world that constantly throws you into a state of chaos, equanimity is the key to not just staying afloat, but also thriving in challenging situations. Essentially, equanimity is ...
Making the decision to live, in itself, can be an act of courage. There are many dimensions to this concept. “Courage is not the absence of fear. Courageous people do feel fear, but they are able to manage and overcome their fear so that it does not stop them from taking action.” (skillsyouneed.com) How different ...
Published in the 16th century, the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West may well be the most popular book in all of East Asia. Based on historical events and influenced by Chinese mythology and folktales, it has won the hearts of those who know the story that features Bodhisattva Guanyin. The book’s 100 chapters ...
Pooja Mor is a high-fashion Indian model working in New York who balances daily life between numerous advertising gigs and spending a good Bollywood night with friends. What keeps her balanced is her practice of the Buddha School system known as Falun Dafa (also called Falun Gong), which she credits to have brought peace into ...
Light is brightest just after darkness — ask any entrepreneur. “Entrepreneurs get smashed every day; they don’t get a break. That’s why an entrepreneur is someone who can endure,” says Mark Hutchison, owner of the award-winning Australian luxury flooring business Lifewood. “If you want to be an entrepreneur and you can’t endure, then you put that ...
Since ancient times, Buddhism has been a huge part of China, both culturally and spiritually. Four of the country’s mountains have actually been sacred grounds for the religion. These include Mount Wutai, Putuo, Emei, and Jiuhua. Here is a brief introduction of these famous holy mountains of Chinese Buddhism for your knowledge. Holy mountains of ...
Sarnath is one of the four holy sites of ancient Indian Buddhism in northern India. It was here that Sakyamuni first passed his Dharma. Here, Chris runs a homestay. The small brick house, about 10 minutes from the big stupa, is hidden in the green trees in an atmosphere of serenity and peace. Christiane Elisabeth ...