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Ummon
17-01-2014, 07:35 AM
I have a fondness for Buddhism. I grew up in an area with many Asian people and I respected the little old men and ladies I saw doing Tai Chi in the park on my way to school. I enjoy meditation, it helps me calm my mind and find peace with myself and others. I even think it is the "best" religion (no hell, we all aspire to Buddhahood, equanimity as a virtue, focus on meditation and acceptance, etc).

I even enjoy it as the major religion perhaps most adapted to existing with science in a cohesive fashion. I would recommend these sites:

http://secularbuddhism.org/new-to-secular-buddhism/

http://rational-buddhism.blogspot.com/2012/01/buddhism-quantum-physics-and-mind.html?m=1

Perhaps I like it because it is a process philosophy

http://rational-buddhism.blogspot.com/2013/10/process-philosophy-and-buddhism-process.html?m=1

Perhaps some quantum mystic woo allows for transmission of information via entanglement over time. I don't know. Anyhow, I suppose that it "should" not soul transference or anything per se, but our minds intertwined with reality collapsing probability waves like a filter allowing only particular frequencies into perception.

Anyhow, I relate most to the boddhisattva Manjusri whose sword of enlightenment cuts through delusion.

I am inspired by the love and devotion of these holy men who took such painstaking care in creating the Mandala I enjoyed

http://i.imgur.com/FUio0PWb.jpg

They make it by rubbing a ribbed tube filled with sand (?) With a stick that let's out small grains colored with dye to form the beautiful semi-geometric patterns.

Afterward, we meditated on compassion I forget which boddhisattva was the focus of the meditation. We focused on central Om symbols in white, red, and blue respectively encircled by 100 word mantras that would turn to liquid and infuse our brain, throat, and heart with purity curing our past negative thought, speech, and feelings. Being in the presence of men devoted to compassion changes you for the better and helps you evolve more into a being that is compassionate. This is why I love Buddhism

norseman
17-01-2014, 03:16 PM
Ummon, I don't know where you live but, if you are in the UK, try to go to Samyeling - it's the centre of Tibetan Buddhism in Europe. It's near to Lockerbie in the Scottish Lowlands on an estate that was deeded to the centre. They do all sorts of weekends and residentials. Fabulous temple. I was there when they dedicated the stupa !

www.samyeling.org

Pamuya
17-01-2014, 07:01 PM
Ummon, I don't know where you live but, if you are in the UK, try to go to Samyeling - it's the centre of Tibetan Buddhism in Europe. It's near to Lockerbie in the Scottish Lowlands on an estate that was deeded to the centre. They do all sorts of weekends and residentials. Fabulous temple. I was there when they dedicated the stupa !

www.samyeling.org
Very lovely, thank you for sharing. If ever on that side of the pond I will surely make a point to visit.

livingkarma
17-01-2014, 07:08 PM
Sounds like you quite enjoyed it as well as came away w/greater understanding & enlightenment ...
Good for you! :hug3:

Ummon
19-01-2014, 06:52 AM
Thank you :)

ThreeOfWhite
08-02-2014, 06:40 PM
That is a very nice Mandala! It's beauty lends well to the compassion it inspires.