Alex Wilding

they actually do hold a circular disc representing the golden ground of this world system, placing piles of rice on it representing continents and the wealth of that world system, offering all this to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and doing it 100,000 times, and so on. When reciting some sadhana or liturgy,

they actually do hold a circular disc representing the golden ground of this world system, placing piles of rice on it representing continents and the wealth of that world system, offering all this to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and doing it 100,000 times, and so on. When reciting some sadhana or liturgy,

A feature that comes up regularly is the offering of washing and drinking water, flowers, incense, lights, perfume, food and music. And while this is done with a mantra for each, it's accompanied at the same time with a set of hand gestures that represent each of these things, rather than simply sitting there and thinking. Once again, the power of enactment is at work.

A feature that comes up regularly is the offering of washing and drinking water, flowers, incense, lights, perfume, food and music. And while this is done with a mantra for each, it's accompanied at the same time with a set of hand gestures that represent each of these things, rather than simply sitting there and thinking. Once again, the power of enactment is at work.

The statement of truth out loud once more is a verbal enactment used again and again in Vajrayana ritual. An expression in Sanskrit stating the purity and emptiness of all things is often made immediately before starting to visualize a deity. While at the end of such a practice, it's quite possible that a standard formula stating the essence of Buddhism is recited.

The statement of truth out loud once more is a verbal enactment used again and again in Vajrayana ritual. An expression in Sanskrit stating the purity and emptiness of all things is often made immediately before starting to visualize a deity. While at the end of such a practice, it's quite possible that a standard formula stating the essence of Buddhism is recited.

In the translation that I use, that I've had for so long I can't remember where I got it from, it goes like this. Namo, all phenomena arise from a cause, and the cause was taught by the Buddha, along with the cessation of that cause. This has been taught by the Buddha. Refrain from the slightest evil, accumulate virtue, and tame your own mind. This is the teaching of the Buddha.

In the translation that I use, that I've had for so long I can't remember where I got it from, it goes like this. Namo, all phenomena arise from a cause, and the cause was taught by the Buddha, along with the cessation of that cause. This has been taught by the Buddha. Refrain from the slightest evil, accumulate virtue, and tame your own mind. This is the teaching of the Buddha.

It's held that actually making this statement out loud is itself a thing of power. With that in mind, it is, I think, easy to see that undertaking a journey, particularly a difficult one that's going to involve hardship, yet one in which camaraderie and friendship may also have opportunities to grow, is a very positive action.

It's held that actually making this statement out loud is itself a thing of power. With that in mind, it is, I think, easy to see that undertaking a journey, particularly a difficult one that's going to involve hardship, yet one in which camaraderie and friendship may also have opportunities to grow, is a very positive action.

Being away from the ordinary habits that grow up in the course of normal life cleaning our teeth, scrolling the internet, checking the weather forecast and so on.

Being away from the ordinary habits that grow up in the course of normal life cleaning our teeth, scrolling the internet, checking the weather forecast and so on.

And while being away from those, at the same time slowing up and opening our minds in inspiring settings where the memories and, many would say, the blessings of former great practitioners are strong, can lead to a deep-seated shift, for the better, let it be said, in our minds and, hopefully, our lives. That being said, We must not ignore the elephant in the room here.

And while being away from those, at the same time slowing up and opening our minds in inspiring settings where the memories and, many would say, the blessings of former great practitioners are strong, can lead to a deep-seated shift, for the better, let it be said, in our minds and, hopefully, our lives. That being said, We must not ignore the elephant in the room here.

Travel, flying in particular, and the burning of fossil fuels that goes with it are things that we have to start doing less of. I don't know what the solution is or where the balance should be found, but it is something that we have to start weighing in the scales. Because of the short history of Buddhism in the West, We don't have very many obvious nearby pilgrimage sites. We need more.

Travel, flying in particular, and the burning of fossil fuels that goes with it are things that we have to start doing less of. I don't know what the solution is or where the balance should be found, but it is something that we have to start weighing in the scales. Because of the short history of Buddhism in the West, We don't have very many obvious nearby pilgrimage sites. We need more.

Has our practice developed to the stage where we can identify suitable places, practice in them, and turn them into pilgrimage sites through the power of our own practice? That's another question to which I don't have an answer, but I think it is worth asking.

Has our practice developed to the stage where we can identify suitable places, practice in them, and turn them into pilgrimage sites through the power of our own practice? That's another question to which I don't have an answer, but I think it is worth asking.

Maybe at least we can, through our practice, bring a few special sites into the Buddhist mandala, imbuing them with some magic and practicing there. Who knows, perhaps someday they will become pilgrimage sites.

Maybe at least we can, through our practice, bring a few special sites into the Buddhist mandala, imbuing them with some magic and practicing there. Who knows, perhaps someday they will become pilgrimage sites.