The Institute of Buddhist Studies provides graduate level education in the entirety of the Buddhist tradition with specialized instruction supporting Jodo Shinshu Buddhist ministry.
Tibetan Buddhism |
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Himalayan Buddhist Art 101: The Four Ground Colors of Himalayan Art
Buddhist practice and Buddhist art have been inseparable in the Himalayas ever since Buddhism arrived to the region in the eighth century. But for the casual observer it can be difficult to make sense of the complex iconography. Not to worry—Himalayan art scholar Jeff Watt is here to help. In this "Himalayan Buddhist Art 101" series, Jeff is making sense of this rich artistic tradition by presenting weekly images from the Himalayan Art Resources archives and explaining their roles in the Buddhist tradition. This week Jeff explores the four ground colors of Himalayan art. Himalayan Buddhist Art 101: The Four Ground Colors More » -
Leaving the Baggage Behind: Week 2 of Anam Thubten's Retreat
Today marks the second week of Anam Thubten's retreat on the Art of Awareness. This week's talk is titled "Leaving the Baggage Behind." He shares with us the notion of courage as a universal spiritual path for facing our unconscious negativities and veils of defensive mechanisms. Facing our individual and collective karma with courage enables us to realize life's intrinsic richness and interconnection. Awareness, he teaches us, is the simple illuminating presence that purifies our psychological issues and allows us to live fully even at times when our human journeys feel like "one big challenging initiation." More » -
Buddha Buzz: Taiwan's First Gay Buddhist Wedding and Other Great News
July, it seems, is a very auspicious month for Tibetan Buddhists. Last Friday was the Dalai Lama's birthday, and tomorrow it's Pema Chodron's 76th. Happy Birthday, Pema! Although she is in retreat for the entirety of 2012, she's holding a virtual online retreat in honor of the occasion. If you register here (it's free), the Pema Chodron foundation will email you a pre-filmed video with advice, encouragement, and meditation instruction. In a culture in which a person expects to receive gifts on a birthday, not give them, many thanks to the Pema Chodron Foundation and, of course, Pema herself for their generosity. More » -
Himalayan Buddhist Art 101: Power Deities
Buddhist practice and Buddhist art have been inseparable in the Himalayas ever since Buddhism arrived to the region in the eighth century. But for the casual observer it can be difficult to make sense of the complex iconography. Not to worry—Himalayan art scholar Jeff Watt is here to help. In this "Himalayan Buddhist Art 101" series, Jeff is making sense of this rich artistic tradition by presenting weekly images from the Himalayan Art Resources archives and explaining their roles in the Buddhist tradition. This week Jeff explores a subcategory of meditational deities called power deities. Himalayan Buddhist Art 101: Power Deities More » -
Buddha Buzz: Birthday Parties and Abandoned Dogs
Happy birthday to the Dalai Lama! His Holiness turns 77 today. Here he is greeting Ogyen Trinley Dorje, one of the two claimants to the Karmapa's throne, at his birthday party in Dharamsala. And here he is again with some excited birthday revelers. You can see more photographs of the festivities on his official website. More » -
Himalayan Art 101: Wealth Deities
Buddhist practice and Buddhist art have been inseparable in the Himalayas ever since Buddhism arrived to the region in the eighth century. But for the casual observer it can be difficult to make sense of the complex iconography. Not to worry—Himalayan art scholar Jeff Watt is here to help. In this "Himalayan Buddhist Art 101" series, Jeff is making sense of this rich artistic tradition by presenting weekly images from the Himalayan Art Resources archives and explaining their roles in the Buddhist tradition. This week Jeff explores a subcategory of meditational deities called wealth deities. Read on to learn more about Jambhala, a popular Himalayan wealth deity. Wealth Deities More »
















