Buddhism: Two More Monks Set Themselves on Fire

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Two More Monks Set Themselves on Fire Sep 27th 2011, 06:17 Two young Tibetan Buddhist monks, aged 18 and 19, attempted self-immolation at Kirti Monastery on Monday. These are the third and fourth monks to set themselves on fire recently at Kirti, in Sichuan Province, western China. According to Free Tibet, the two monks waved the banned Tibetan flag and shouted "long live the Dalai Lama" before they self-immolated. Chinese state media says the two monks are in a stable condition in a hospital. Kirti has seen quite a lot of unrest since the spring 2008 uprising that swept through Tibet, and a self-immolation earlier this year resulted in prison sentences of 10, 11 and 13 years for three monks accused of assisting in the death of the monk. It's especially sad to hear of young people ending their lives this way, although it has to be admitted that the incidents draw attention to the grievances of the monks. Whether any change can result, however, is another matter. Some past blog posts on Kirti: Feb 27, 2009 Burning Monk Shot by Police in Sichuan Mar 6, 2009 More on the Burning Monk Mar 14, 2009 Last Year in Tibet Apr 24, 2011 Buddhist Monks Violently Detained in Sichuan

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Buddhism: What's Hot Now: The Buddha's Robe in Tibet

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The Buddha's Robe in Tibet Sep 27th 2011, 10:02 Tibetan monks wear a shirt and a skirt instead of a one-piece robe. A shawl-type robe may be worn as an outer layer. Tibetan Gelugpa monks of the Jokhang Temple, Lhasa, Tibet, shed their zhen robes in the heat of a debate. Feng Li/Getty Images Tibetan nuns, monks and lamas wear an enormous variety of robes, hats, capes, and even costumes, but the basic robe consist of these parts: The dhonka, a wrap shirt with cap sleeves. The dhonka usually is maroon or maroon and yellow with blue piping. The shemdap is a maroon skirt made with patched cloth and a varying number of pleats. The chögu is something like a sanghati, a wrap made in patches and worn on the upper body, although sometimes it is draped over one shoulder like a kashaya robe. The chögu is yellow and worn for certain ceremonies and teachings. The zhen is similar to the chögu, but maroon, and is for ordinary day-to-day wear. The namjar is larger than the chögu, with more patches, and it is yellow and often made of silk. It is for formal ceremonial occasions. The Gelugpa Tibetan monks in the photograph have shed their zhen robes in the heat of debate.

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Buddhism: What's Hot Now: Bodhidharma

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Bodhidharma Sep 27th 2011, 10:02 First Patriarch of Ch'an (Zen) Buddhism: Although little is known about the life of Bodhidharma, as the founder of Ch'an (Zen) Buddhism his influence permeates the culture of Asia and now the West. The story of his life has been preserved in legend. Early Life: Bodhidharma was a monk from India who studied with Prajnadhara. Some time after completing his studies he left India for China. "I Know Not": Bodhidharma was invited to visit the Emperor Wu of Liang, who was a great patron of Buddhism. The Emperor had built many monasteries, and he asked Bodhidharma what merit his generosity had earned. "No merit," said Bodhidharma. Startled, the Emperor asked Bodhidharma the supreme truth of the Dharma. "Vast emptiness; nothing holy," replied Bodhidharma. Finally, the Emperor asked, "Who are you?" "I know not," said Bodhidharma. To the Shaolin Temple: Bodhidharma traveled north to the Shaolin Temple. For nine years he sat in meditation in a cave near the temple. According to legend, at one point he was frustrated by his own drowsiness and so ripped off his eyelids. Hui-k'o: Hui-k'o, who would be the Second Patriarch of Ch'an, stood in the snow outside the cave. To show Bodhidharma his sincerity to learn the Dharma, Hui-k'o cut off his arm and said, "Your disciple's mind has no peace as yet. Master, please, put it to rest." Bodhidharma said, "Bring me your mind, and I will put it to rest." Hui-k'o said, "I have searched for my mind, but I cannot find it." Bodhidharma said, "I have completely put it to rest for you." No Coming, No Going: Some legends say Bodhidharma returned to India before his death. Others say he lived to be 150 and was buried in the mountains of Honan, China. Some time later a pilgrim encountered Bodhidharma walking back to India, wearing only one sandal. When his grave was opened it was empty, save for one sandal.

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Buddhism: China Plays With History

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China Plays With History Sep 26th 2011, 09:27 Guide to Asian History Kallie Szczepanski wrote a post a few days ago about a Tibetan "Disneyland" in Chengde, China. Many of the exhibits and spectacles at the park -- a popular tourist destination for the Chinese -- portray a visit by the Dalai Lama to the the Kangxi Emperor (1661-1722). The park celebrates a significant moment in the history of Tibet as a province of China. A catch to this lovely sentiment is that the visit never happened. Through cunning and conquest, the Kangxi Emperor greatly extended the borders of China. Beijing wants the Chinese people to think that this expansion included all of Tibet, and the Dalai Lama came to Beijing to pay homage to his sovereign. Historians say the 5th Dalai Lama made a well-documented state visit� to Beijing, probably arriving in January 1654. But this was before the Kangxi Emperor was born. Tibetan and Chinese versions of just about any part of their shared history tend to be at odds, so I consulted some histories written by western historical scholars. Here's what they say happened -- The Shunzhi Emperor -- the Kangxi Emperor's predecessor and a child at the time -- sent a number of invitations to Lhasa before the Great Fifth consented to go to Beijing. The Qing court was wary of the Dalai Lama's fierce Mongol allies and desired friendly relations with its powerful bordering neighbor. By all accounts, the Great Fifth was greeted as a visiting head of state, not as a vassal subject. And, anyway, the borders of China under the Shunzhi Emperor didn't extend as far as Tibet, and I suspect most Chinese would know that. That's why it was necessary to revise the date of the visit. Could another Dalai Lama have visited the the Kangxi Emperor? There's no documentation of such a visit, but given the history of the Dalai Lamas, it's highly unlikely. For one thing, the Kangxi Emperor played a supporting role in the death of the 6th Dalai Lama, who died at the age of 24 while kidnappers were taking him to Beijing, in 1706. There's no record of exactly what, or who, killed the Sixth, but it appears he didn't quite make it as far as China's central plain. The 7th Dalai Lama was not enthroned until 1720, just a couple of years before the Kangxi Emperor died. The Seventh was still a teenager and wasn't ruling much of anything at the time. So, no; the state visit of a Dalai Lama to the court of the the Kangxi Emperor never happened.

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Buddhism: What's Hot Now: Big Buddhas: The Great Buddha at Lingshan

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Big Buddhas: The Great Buddha at Lingshan Sep 26th 2011, 10:02 Chinese travel agencies claim this colossus of Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, is the world's biggest Buddha. Including its pedestal, the Great Buddha of Lingshan is 328 feet (100 meters) tall. The buddha figure alone is 289 feet (88 meters) tall. a laubner, Flickr.com, Creative Commons License If you count the lotus flower pedestal, the Great Buddha at Lingshan stands just over 328 feet (100 meters) tall. This makes the statue shorter than the 394-foot-tall Ushiku Amida Buddha of Japan. But he's an awe-inspiring sight, nonetheless -- notice the people standing at his toes. The statue stands in a lovely setting overlooking Lake Taihu. The Great Buddha of Lingshan is bronze and was completed in 1996.

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Buddhism: What's Hot Now: The Five Dhyani Buddhas: Amoghasiddhi Buddha

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The Five Dhyani Buddhas: Amoghasiddhi Buddha Sep 26th 2011, 10:02 In the Bardo Thodol -- the "Tibetan Book of the Dead" -- Amoghasiddhi Buddha appears to represent the accomplishment of all action. He holds a crossed vajra, also called a double dorje, representing accomplishment and fulfillment in all directions. He radiates a green light, which is the light of accomplishing wisdom. Amoghasiddhi Buddha reigns in the north, and he is associated with the fourth skandha, volition or mental formations. Meditation on Amoghasiddhi Buddha vanquishes envy and jealousy. In this image his hand gesture is the mudra of fearlessness.

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Buddhism: What's Hot Now: Big Buddhas: The Tian Tan Buddha

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Big Buddhas: The Tian Tan Buddha Sep 26th 2011, 10:02 It took nearly 10 years to cast this enormous bronze seated buddha. The job was completed in 1993, and now the great Tian Tan Buddha raises his hands in benevolence over Lantau Island, in Hong Kong. Visitors may climb 268 steps to reach the platform. The statue is called the "Tian Tan" because its base is a replica of Tian Tan, the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. It is also called the Po Lin Buddha because it is part of the Po Lin Monastery, a Ch'an monastery founded in 1906. The Tian Tan Buddha's right hand is raised to remove affliction. His left hand rests on his knee, representing happiness. It is said that on a clear day the Tian Tan Buddha can be seen as far away as Macau, which is 40 miles west of Hong Kong.

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