DOCSLIB.ORG

Computer-Aided Generation of Mandala Thangka Patterns

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Computer-Aided Generation of Mandala Thangka Patterns Computer-Aided Generation of Mandala Thangka Patterns Jiajing Zhang Kang Zhang The State Key Lab of CAD&CG Department of Computer Science Zhejiang University The University of Texas at Dallas Hangzhou, 310058, China Richardson, Texas 75082, USA [email protected] [email protected] Ren Peng Jinhui Yu Department of Computer Science and Technology The State Key Lab of CAD&CG Zhejiang University Zhejiang University Hangzhou, 310027, China Hangzhou, 310058, China [email protected] [email protected] ABSTRACT The mandala thangka, as a religious art in Tibetan Buddhis- m, is an invaluable cultural and artistic heritage. However, drawing a mandala is both time and effort consuming and requires mastery skills due to its intricate details. Retaining and digitizing this heritage is an unresolved research challenge to date. In this paper, we propose a computer- aided generation approach of mandala thangka patterns to address this issue. Specifically, we construct parameterized models of three stylistic patterns used in the interior mandalas of Nyingma school in Tibetan Buddhism according Figure 1: Examples of mandala thangka patterns. to their geometric features, namely the star, crescent and The images are scanned from the published book lotus flower patterns. Varieties of interior mandalas are [28]. successfully generated using these proposed patterns based ACM Reference format: on the hierarchical structures observed from hand drawn Jiajing Zhang, Kang Zhang, Ren Peng, and Jinhui Yu. 2017. mandalas. The experimental results show that our approach Computer-Aided Generation of Mandala Thangka Patterns. In can efficiently generate beautifully-layered colorful interior Proceedings of VINCI '17, Bangkok, Thailand, August 14-16, mandalas, which significantly reduces the time and efforts 2017, 8 pages. in manual production and, more importantly, contributes to https://doi.org/10.1145/3105971.3105974 the digitization of this great heritage. 1 INTRODUCTION CCS CONCEPTS The thangka, or scroll painting, usually depicting a Buddhist • Computing methodologies → Shape analysis; Model deity, scene, or mandala, is a special art of Tibetan development and analysis; • Applied computing → Fine Buddhism. As a religious art, thangka retains high cultural arts; and artistic values. In 2006 the Tibetan Thangka was recorded in the first list of national intangible cultural KEYWORDS heritages in China and, in 2009, Regong Arts was inscribed Mandala thangka, Computer-aided generation, Geometric on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural features, Parameterized models, Hierarchical structure Heritage of Humanity by the UNESCO. Mandala is an important subject in thangka which is a spiritual and ritual symbol representing the universe [14, 22]. In various Permission to make digital or hard copies of all or part of this work spiritual traditions, mandalas may be employed as a spiritual for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that guidance tool for focusing attention of practitioners and for copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full citation on the first mediation. In addition to its religious significance, mandalas page. Copyrights for components of this work owned by others than have favorable psychological effects, as noted in [12]. ACM must be honored. Abstracting with credit is permitted. To copy In its most common form, a mandala appears as a series of otherwise, or republish, to post on servers or to redistribute to lists, requires prior specific permission and/or a fee. Request permissions concentric circles. It depicts deities which are enclosed in the from [email protected]. square structure situated concentrically within these circles, VINCI '17, August 14-16, 2017, Bangkok, Thailand as shown in Figure 1 [28]. Drawing a mandala is both time © 2017 Association for Computing Machinery. ACM ISBN 978-1-4503-5292-5/17/08. $15.00 and effort consuming, since it first needs to be sketched onto https://doi.org/10.1145/3105971.3105974 the canvas in the right proportions following the ancient grid 93 VINCI '17, August 14-16, 2017, Bangkok, Thailand J. J. Zhang et al. categories: Islamic geometric pattern, Indian kolam pattern, Chinese paper-cut pattern and Uygur fabric pattern. Islamic geometric patterns are built on stars, squares and circles, typically repeated, overlapped and interlaced to form the overall intricate connected patterns. Earlier works [9, 15, 21] used symmetry groups to analyze forms of organization and structures of islamic star patterns. (a) (b) (c) The strap work approach to create shapes which were formed by straightedge and compasses was used in [26, 36]. By using polygonal network as the base, the polygons-in- Figure 2: Examples of interior mandala patterns: (a) contact technique was adopted to create a variety of islamic Star pattern; (b) Crescent pattern; (c) Lotus flower geometric patterns [3, 19, 20]. The modular design system pattern. The images are scanned and cropped from based on the star, cross and traditional islamic pattern the published book [28]. modules was introduced in [1, 4{6] to generate different family of geometric star and rosette patterns. Based on patterns, after which the long painting procedure starts, with shape rules, [2, 10, 18, 33, 34] applied the parametric shape fine brushes. The time required to finish drawing a mandala grammar approach to generating islamic geometric patterns. usually ranges from one month to several months, depending Indian kolam patterns consist of an symmetrical matrix on the complexity of the mandala. of dots and curving lines which wind around the dots Mandalas on one hand are beautiful and intricate, on on the geometry. A tiling-based approach using diamond- the other hand are highly geometric and regular, thus it shaped tiles placed corner to corner to construct square loop is possible to model mandala mathematically. The modelled kolam was presented in [31]. Gopalan et al. [13] proposed a mandalas can be further applied to multiple areas: structural topological method which can generate all possible kolams analysis in image analysis and retrieval; modern artistic for any spatial configuration of dots. Other approaches pattern and card design; mental clarity and spiritual growth include encoding kolams using graph, picture and array in psychology. grammars [7, 8, 30], converting Kolam patterns into numbers In Buddhism there are more than 700 deities, each and linear diagrams [39], L- and P-systems [35], extended having his or her own mandala. Modeling a large number pasting schemes [32], gestural lexicons [37], stroke chain-code of mandalas is beyond the scope of this work. We [27] and knot theory [17]. focus on modeling the central part, called the interior For Chinese paper-cut patterns and Uygur fabric patterns, mandala, which is the most important part in any mandala. Liu et al. [25] studied the cyclic and dihedral symmetries Specifically, in this paper we propose a computer-aided of different annuli in paper-cut designs, and synthesized generation approach by modeling three stylistic patterns new designs with different rotational orders. Li et al. [24] used in the interior mandalas of Nyingma school in Tibetan designed a set of tools for annotating animated 3D surfaces Buddhism [28]: star (Figure 2(a)), crescent (Figure 2(b)) with holes derived from traditional paper cutting motifs. By and lotus flower patterns (Figure 2(c)). The key idea of our using independent patterns as basis, a library of complex method consists of two steps: first, we construct models of paper-cut patterns was established in [23]. Zhao et al. [42] parameterized motifs according to the geometric features proposed a method of automatic generation of Uygur fabric in each pattern; second, we place these parameterized patterns based on configuration styles such as hexagonal, motifs in a hierarchical structure of concentric circles brick-shaped and diamond structure tile. outside-in to generate final interior mandalas, where the For other traditional art patterns, Persian floral patterns parameter values are determined by a uniformly-spaced were created by using NURBS and circle packing [11, 16]. reference grid. Comparative results show that our approach Yoon et al. [40] constructed Korean Danchong patterns can efficiently generate beautifully-layered colorful interior based on triangular, hexagon and circle. Zhang and Yu [41] mandalas comparable with the hand drawn mandalas. generated Kandinsky art based on styled patterns. The Miro To our knowledge, this study is the first attempt in style of surrealism was generated by extracting and coding constructing parameterized models of interior mandala pictorial elements in Miro's paintings [38]. patterns. Our work provides a reference for computer-aided Patterns in the interior mandalas of Buddhism differ generation of both traditional mandala patterns used in from aforementioned patterns both in geometric shape and Buddhism and mandala-like patterns used in modern art composition structure. Poelke et al. [29] created mandala like design, which also contributes to the digitization of this great patterns by creating polynomials with L-symmetric zero set heritage. and applying the classical Schwarz reflection principle, the resultant patterns however differ dramatically from those in the interior mandala patterns both in shape variation 2 RELATED WORK regularity and hierarchical structure. It is therefore necessary Previous works in computer generation of traditional to construct parameterized
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Buddhism and Responses to Disability, Mental Disorders and Deafness in Asia
    Buddhism and Responses to Disability, Mental Disorders and Deafness in Asia. A bibliography of historical and modern texts with introduction and partial annotation, and some echoes in Western countries. [This annotated bibliography of 220 items suggests the range and major themes of how Buddhism and people influenced by Buddhism have responded to disability in Asia through two millennia, with cultural background. Titles of the materials may be skimmed through in an hour, or the titles and annotations read in a day. The works listed might take half a year to find and read.] M. Miles (compiler and annotator) West Midlands, UK. November 2013 Available at: http://www.independentliving.org/miles2014a and http://cirrie.buffalo.edu/bibliography/buddhism/index.php Some terms used in this bibliography Buddhist terms and people. Buddhism, Bouddhisme, Buddhismus, suffering, compassion, caring response, loving kindness, dharma, dukkha, evil, heaven, hell, ignorance, impermanence, kamma, karma, karuna, metta, noble truths, eightfold path, rebirth, reincarnation, soul, spirit, spirituality, transcendent, self, attachment, clinging, delusion, grasping, buddha, bodhisatta, nirvana; bhikkhu, bhikksu, bhikkhuni, samgha, sangha, monastery, refuge, sutra, sutta, bonze, friar, biwa hoshi, priest, monk, nun, alms, begging; healing, therapy, mindfulness, meditation, Gautama, Gotama, Maitreya, Shakyamuni, Siddhartha, Tathagata, Amida, Amita, Amitabha, Atisha, Avalokiteshvara, Guanyin, Kannon, Kuan-yin, Kukai, Samantabhadra, Santideva, Asoka, Bhaddiya, Khujjuttara,
    [Show full text]
  • Buddhist Pilgrimage
    Published for free distribution Buddhist Pilgrimage ew Edition 2009 Chan Khoon San ii Sabbadanam dhammadanam jinati. The Gift of Dhamma excels all gifts. The printing of this book for free distribution is sponsored by the generous donations of Dhamma friends and supporters, whose names appear in the donation list at the end of this book. ISB: 983-40876-0-8 © Copyright 2001 Chan Khoon San First Printing, 2002 – 2000 copies Second Printing 2005 – 2000 copies New Edition 2009 − 7200 copies All commercial rights reserved. Any reproduction in whole or part, in any form, for sale, profit or material gain is strictly prohibited. However, permission to print this book, in its entirety , for free distribution as a gift of Dhamma , is allowed after prior notification to the author. ew Cover Design Inset photo shows the famous Reclining Buddha image at Kusinara. Its unique facial expression evokes the bliss of peace ( santisukha ) of the final liberation as the Buddha passes into Mahaparinibbana. Set in the background is the Great Stupa of Sanchi located near Bhopal, an important Buddhist shrine where relics of the Chief Disciples and the Arahants of the Third Buddhist Council were discovered. Printed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by: Majujaya Indah Sdn. Bhd., 68, Jalan 14E, Ampang New Village, 68000 Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. Tel: 03-42916001, 42916002, Fax: 03-42922053 iii DEDICATIO This book is dedicated to the spiritual advisors who accompanied the pilgrimage groups to India from 1991 to 2008. Their guidance and patience, in helping to create a better understanding and appreciation of the significance of the pilgrimage in Buddhism, have made those journeys of faith more meaningful and beneficial to all the pilgrims concerned.
    [Show full text]
  • The Mirror 84 January-February 2007
    THE MIRROR Newspaper of the International Dzogchen Community JAN/FEB 2007 • Issue No. 84 NEW GAR IN ROMANIA MERIGAR EAST SUMMER RETREAT WITH CHÖGYAL NAMKHAI NORBU RETREAT OF ZHINE AND LHAGTHONG ACCORDING TO ATIYOGA JULY 14-22, 2007 There is a new Gar in Romania called Merigar East. The land is 4.5 hectares and 600 meters from the Black Sea. The Gar is 250 meters from a main road and 2 kilometers from the nearest village called the 23rd of August (the day of liberation in World War II); it is a 5-minute walk to the train station and a 10-minute walk to the beach. There are small, less costly hotels and pensions and five star hotels in tourist towns and small cities near by. There is access by bus, train and airplane. Inexpensive buses go up and down the coast. There is an airport in Costanza, 1/2 hour from the land, and the capital, Bucharest, 200 kilometers away, offers two international airports. At present we have only the land, but it will be developed. As of January 2007 Romania has joined the European Union. Mark your calendar! The Mirror Staff Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in the Tashigar South Gonpa on his birthday N ZEITZ TO BE IN INSTANT PRESENCE IS TO BE BEYOND TIME The Longsal Ati’i Gongpa Ngotrod In this latest retreat, which was through an intellectual analysis of CHÖGYAL NAMKHAI NORBU Retreat at Tashigar South, Argentina transmitted all around the world by these four, but from a deep under- SCHEDULE December 26, 2006 - January 1, 2007 closed video and audio webcast, standing of the real characteristics thanks to the great efforts and work of our human existence.
    [Show full text]
  • Diversity in the Women of the Therīgāthā
    Lesley University DigitalCommons@Lesley Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences Mindfulness Studies Theses (GSASS) Spring 5-6-2020 Diversity in the Women of the Therīgāthā Kyung Peggy Meill [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/mindfulness_theses Part of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons Recommended Citation Meill, Kyung Peggy, "Diversity in the Women of the Therīgāthā" (2020). Mindfulness Studies Theses. 29. https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/mindfulness_theses/29 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences (GSASS) at DigitalCommons@Lesley. It has been accepted for inclusion in Mindfulness Studies Theses by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@Lesley. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. DIVERSITY IN THE WOMEN OF THE THERĪGĀTHĀ i Diversity in the Women of the Therīgāthā Kyung Peggy Kim Meill Lesley University May 2020 Dr. Melissa Jean and Dr. Andrew Olendzki DIVERSITY IN THE WOMEN OF THE THERĪGĀTHĀ ii Abstract A literary work provides a window into the world of a writer, revealing her most intimate and forthright perspectives, beliefs, and emotions – this within a scope of a certain time and place that shapes the milieu of her life. The Therīgāthā, an anthology of 73 poems found in the Pali canon, is an example of such an asseveration, composed by theris (women elders of wisdom or senior disciples), some of the first Buddhist nuns who lived in the time of the Buddha 2500 years ago. The gathas (songs or poems) impart significant details concerning early Buddhism and some of its integral elements of mental and spiritual development.
    [Show full text]
  • Zhitro Le Cento Divinità Pacifiche E Irate, L’Essenza Del Cuore Ovvero La Pura Essenza Radiante
    Zhitro Le Cento Divinità Pacifiche e Irate, l’essenza del cuore ovvero la pura essenza radiante tratto da un’insegnamento di A_zom Rinpoche Osel Thegchog Ling – San Francisco (USA) Scelto, adattato e tradotto da Raffaele Phuntsog Wangdu e Salvatore Tondrup Wangchuk ::.© 2009 Vajrayana.it .:: Zhitro Le Cento Divinità Pacifiche e Irate, l’essenza del cuore ovvero la pura essenza radiante La principale pratica della divinità di meditazione dell’Osel Thegchog Ling 1 è la sadhana di ZhiTro - le Cento Divinità Pacifiche e Irate del Bardo. Questa sadhana è sorta nella mente di Rinpoche come un terma. Si dice che il solo ascoltare la lettura ad alta voce di questa sadhana pianti i semi della liberazione, per non parlare poi di praticarla realmente. Zhitro è la pratica principale della Scuola Nyingma del Buddhismo Tibetano. Centinaia di migliaia di praticanti hanno ottenuto il corpo d’arcobaleno, principalmente attraverso questa pratica della rete magica (Guhyagarbha Tantra). Le divinità pacifiche e irate sono indicative di un’espressione dinamica sia della vacuità che della compassione. In relazione alla vacuità, le pacifiche; in relazione alla compassione, le irate. Se sei curioso di sapere quali siano le espressioni, le manifestazioni della vacuità e della compassione, bene: sono loro. I maggiori germi dell’esistenza ciclica sono il desiderio e la rabbia, e il nostro lavoro è quello di sopraffarli attraverso la meditazione. Questa è la reale essenza della pratica delle Cento Divinità; andare al di là di attaccamento e avversione. L’aspetto irato è esclusivamente una manifestazione della compassione, esso non è il furore dell’ira. Non c’è sofferenza in tutto il loro furore, il loro aspetto straordinariamente irato serve a recidere la radice dell’ira, essi non sono irati.
    [Show full text]
  • The Inconceivable Lotus Land of Padma Samye Ling the Tsasum
    The Inconceivable Lotus Land of Padma Samye Ling The Tsasum Lingpa Wangchen Clear Garland Crystals of Fire A Brief Biography of the Great Tertön Tsasum Lingpa Magical Illusion Net: The Glorious Guhyagarbha Tantra Spring/Summer 2009 In This Issue Volume 8, Spring/Summer 2009 1 Letter from the Venerable Khenpo Rinpoches A Publication of 2 The Inconceivable Lotus Land of Padma Samye Ling Padmasambhava Buddhist Center Nyingma Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism 6 PSL Stupa Garden 7 The Tsasum Lingpa Wangchen Founding Directors Ven. Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche 9 A Brief Biography of the Great Tertön Tsasum Lingpa Ven. Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche 11 Clear Garland Crystals of Fire Ani Lorraine , Co-Editor 13 Magical Illusion Net: The Glorious Guhyagarbha Tantra Pema Dragpa , Co-Editor Andrew Cook , Assistant Editor 16 Schedule of Teachings Pema Tsultrim , Coordinator Medicine Buddha Revitalization Retreat: Beth Gongde , Copy Editor 18 Rejuvenate the Body, Refresh the Mind Michael Ray Nott , Art Director Sandy Mueller , Production Editor 19 PBC on YouTube PBC and Pema Mandala Office 20 A Commentary on Dudjom Rinpoche’s For subscriptions or contributions Mountain Retreat Instructions to the magazine, please contact: Glorifying the Mandala Padma Samye Ling 24 Attn: Pema Mandala 25 PSL Garden 618 Buddha Highway Sidney Center, NY 13839 26 2008 Year in Review (607) 865-8068 Kindly note: This magazine contains sacred images and should not be [email protected] disposed of in the trash. It should either be burned or shredded with the remainder going into clean recycling. Pema Mandala welcomes all contributions Cover: Gesar prayer flag flying at Padma Samye Ling submitted for consideration.
    [Show full text]
  • Women & Buddha
    Myoshu Agnes Jedrzejewska M.D., Ph.D. The female disciples of Buddha – an understand- ing of Shinran’s teachings for our present times. When my daughter was a student of the Yokohama Inter- national School, we both learned that in practically all Eng- lish handbooks of history of Japanese religions, Jodo Shin- shu has nowadays been labeled by the Japanese intellectuals as the most misogynist and most conservative tradition in Japanese society and culture (see, for an example, “A History of Japanese Religion ed. Kazuo Kasahara, 2001). Such an opinion, however unjust, seems to be popular enough to make many Japanese families to covert into Christianity. I do believe that openly discussing the problem is always better than to take comfort in pretending that we have no problem at all. Sakyamuni was born among very discriminating people of India with rigid understanding of karma. Nevertheless, He successfully taught them the truly universal religion of non- substantiality, of impermanence, of the cause of human suf- fering and of the way of attaining true happiness. The Buddhist truth embraced the whole physical world and the whole of human life into one fundamental concep- tion of universal equality. With such a sense of equality, Buddhism contradicted not only Hindu, but all other relig- ions of that time. Confusian antagonism to Buddhism was ultimately directed against the Buddhist idea of equality. Similarly, every hierarchic society must have problem with Buddhad- harma with respect to social ethics. Buddhism, which came to the Japanese archipelago from Korea and China, is based upon the Mahayana interpreta- tion of the Sakyamuni’s teaching.
    [Show full text]
  • Pema Mandalamandalaspring~Summer 2015 in THIS ISSUE
    THE MAGAZINE of PADMASAMBHAVA BUDDHIST CENTER PemaPema MandalaMandalaspring~summer 2015 IN THIS ISSUE 1 Letter from Venerable Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche 2 Lotus Land of Glorious Wisdom 4 Be Courageous 5 All Teachings Are on Refuge 6 Pemai Chiso Dharma Store 8 Chain of Golden Mountains 10 Everything is Mind 11 Gratitude for Our Wonderful Sangha 12 The Two Truths 13 Join PBC and Support Our Nuns and Monks GREG KRANZ GREG 14 2015 Summer/Fall Teaching Schedule Warm Greetings and Best Wishes to All Sangha and Friends, 16 Revealing the Buddha Within very spring we enjoy the opportunity to look happy, meaningful times we can all look forward to as 17 A Wealth of Translations by Dharma Samudra Publications back and celebrate another beautiful year over- we continue on this path of love and peace! flowing with many wonderful Dharma activi- 17 Living at PSL ties and events! I’m so thankful for everyone’s As we all know, again and again we must examine our E motivation, and reconnect to our true nature of love, continued support of PBC and your devotion to the 18 Great Purity: The Life and Teachings of Buddhadharma, the Nyingma lineage, and the legacy compassion, and wisdom and sincerely wish the best Rongzompa Mahapandita of our precious teacher, Venerable Khenchen Palden for everyone. This is the essence of Dharma, and the Sherab Rinpoche. sole purpose for our activities. We’ve all heard this many 24 The Unfolding Beauty of Padma Samye Ling times, but it remains true. The essence of Dharma is un- This past year we consecrated Palden Sherab Pema changing—it is great love and compassion that reaches 26 2014 Year in Review Ling in Jupiter, Florida, and enjoyed many retreats at out and supports limitless beings according to exactly PSL and our other PBC Centers—including special what’s helpful.
    [Show full text]
  • Catalog and Revised Texts and Translations of Gandharan Reliquary Inscriptions
    Chapter 6 Catalog and revised texts and translations of gandharan reliquary inscriptions steFan baums the Gandharan reliquary inscriptions cataloged and addition to or in place of these main eras, regnal translated in this chapter are found on four main types years of a current or (in the case of Patika’s inscrip- of objects: relic containers of a variety of shapes, thin tion no. 12) recent ruler are used in dating formulae, gold or silver scrolls deposited inside reliquaries, and detailed information is available about two of the thicker metal plates deposited alongside reliquaries, royal houses concerned: the kings of Apraca (family and stone slabs that formed part of a stūpa’s relic tree in Falk 1998: 107, with additional suggestions in chamber or covered stone reliquaries. Irrespective Salomon 2005a) and the kings of Oḍi (family tree in of the type of object, the inscriptions follow a uniform von Hinüber 2003: 33). pattern described in chapter 5. Three principal eras In preparing the catalog, it became apparent that are used in the dating formulae of these inscriptions: not only new and uniform translations of the whole the Greek era of 186/185 BCE (Salomon 2005a); the set of inscriptions were called for, but also the texts Azes (= Vikrama) era of 58/57 BCE (Bivar 1981b);1 themselves needed to be reconstituted on the basis and the Kanishka era of c. 127 CE (Falk 2001). In of numerous individual suggestions for improvements made after the most recent full edition of each text. All these suggestions (so far as they could be traced) 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Lady of the Lotus-Born: the Life and Enlightenment of Yeshe Tsogyal Pdf
    FREE LADY OF THE LOTUS-BORN: THE LIFE AND ENLIGHTENMENT OF YESHE TSOGYAL PDF Gyalwa Changchub,Namkhai Nyingpo,Padmakara Translation Group | 296 pages | 12 Feb 2002 | Shambhala Publications Inc | 9781570625442 | English | Boston, United States Yeshe Tsogyal – Awaken We are shipping to all international locations. Learn more here about our many free Lady of the Lotus-born: The Life and Enlightenment of Yeshe Tsogyal and special digital offers. Amazon eBook. Apple eBook. Nook eBook. Menu Search. Cart You have no items in your shopping cart. Search: Search. My Account Login. Shambhala logo. Home Lady of the Lotus-Born. Browse Inside. Lady of the Lotus-Born. Add to Cart. Apple eBook Download X. Nook eBook Download X. Details The first Tibetan to attain complete enlightenment was in all probability the woman Yeshe Tsogyal, the closest disciple of Padmasambhava, the master who brought Buddhism to Tibet in the eighth century. This classical text is not only a biography but also an inspiring example of how the Buddha's teaching can be put into practice. Lady of the Lotus-Born interweaves profound Buddhist teachings with a colorful narrative that includes episodes of adventure, court intrigue, and personal searching. The book will appeal to students of Tibetan Buddhism and readers interested in the role of women in Buddhism and world religions. Reader Reviews. Lady of the Lotus-Born Reviews. Reviews from Goodreads. Yeshe Tsogyal | Religion-wiki | Fandom Where upon I, Tsogyal, made my way to the great cavern of Lhodrak Kharchu, where I caused Namkhai Nyingpo to progress in the meditation on the subtle channels and energies.
    [Show full text]
  • Dhammapada 2: Appamada Vagga-Narada
    Home Page Previous Chapter Next Chapter Chapter 2 Appamada Vagga Heedfulness (Text and Translation by Ven. Narada) 1. Appamado amatapadam pamado maccuno padam Appamatta na miyanti ye pamatta yatha mata. 21. 2. Etam visesato ��atva appamadamhi pandita Appamade pamodanti ariyanam gocare rata. 22. 3. Te jhayino satatika niccam dalhaparakkama Phusanti dhira Nibbanam yogakkhemam anuttaram. 23. THE HEEDLESS DIE; THE HEEDFUL DO NOT 1. Heedfulness 1 is the path to the deathless, 2 heedlessness is the path to death. e heedful do not die; 3 the heedless are like unto the dead. 21. 2. Distinctly understanding this (difference 4), the wise (intent) on heedfulness rejoice in heedfulness, delighting in the realm of the Ariyas. 5 22. 3. e constantly meditative, 6 the ever steadfast ones realize the bond-free, 7 supreme Nibbana. 8 23. Story A jealous queen Magandiya, caused an innocent rival of hers, Samavati, to be burnt alive. e king, hearing of the pathetic incident subjected Magandiya to a worse death. e monks wished to know which of the two was actually alive and which was actually dead. e Buddha explained that the heedless, like Magandiya, should be regarded as dead, while the heedful, like Samavati, should be regarded as alive. 4. Uññhanavato satimato sucikammassa nisammakarino Sa����atassa ca dhammajivino appamattassa yaso'bhivaóóhati. 24. THE ENERGETIC PROSPER 4. e glory of him who is energetic, mindful, pure in deed, considerate, self-controlled, right-living, and heedful steadily increases. 24. Story A rich but humble young man who pretended to be very poor, living like a labourer, was later elevated to a high position by the king.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction to the Interviews
    INTRODUCTION TO THE INTERVIEWS There has been, over the last four decades, an immense amount of interest in demonstrating that Buddhist thought is, in some sense, scientifi c. As His Holiness the Dalai Lama, himself, says in the coming interview, “Some scholars say that Buddhism is a science of the mind.” Over these last several decades, three different approaches have been taken to establishing the scientifi c merit of Buddhist thought. The fi rst approach was that of recognizing that there are signifi cant similarities between the worldviews of modern science and Buddhism. This approach was both popularized and epito- mized by Fritjof Capra’s book The Tao of Physics , which took a look at several parallels between the worldview of modern physics and the worldviews of several schools of Asian mysticism. Capra pointed out, for example, that Buddhism and modern science both take the position that (1) there is no such thing as absolute space and time; (2) there is a unity and interdependence of all things in the universe; and (3) all phenomena are temporary manifestations of an underlying reality. The second basic approach to lending scientifi c authenticity to the fi ndings of Buddhist psychology has been that of using the methods of neurobiology and cognitive science to investigate the effects and effi cacy of Buddhist medita- tion. One excellent example of this work is the work of Richard Davidson on the role of the prefrontal cortex in regulating emotions. The research being presented in The Healthy Mind: Mindfulness, True Self, and the Stream of Consciousness takes yet a third type of approach to investigating the empirical validity of the mind science of Buddhism.
    [Show full text]