Home Archives for Topics Buddhism
July 5, 2006

Why Buddhism Succeeds – The Right Thing is the Thing to do

By Stuart Malkin

The ongoing teachings are exemplified in an understanding and execution of two ideas, which I will briefly describe:

Karma: the Buddhist interpretation is in the words and actions of the individual. It means that good work brings about a good rebirth, and that each rebirth is a reflection of the good living and good deeds in the prior life. That is the deeper meaning of Karma, the Buddhist,and some New Age, thinking. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Buddhism
July 5, 2006

Kuan Yin, Chinese Goddess of Compassion

By Susanna Duffy

Everyone knows how to chant Amitabha Buddha, and every household worships Kuan Yin
– Chinese saying

Women everywhere have prayed to her as the Tibetan Tara, the Christian Madonna or as the African Yemaya and, as Kuan Yin, she is one of the most universally beloved of deities in the Buddhist tradition. Kuan Yin is invoked for healing of a sick child, relief from pain and help in all times of trouble. Like Artemis, she is a virgin Goddess who protects women, offers them an alternative to marriage, and grants children to those who desire them.

She is said to be a bodhisattva, one qualified to enter Nirvana but who chooses to remain in the earthly realms and not enter the heavenly worlds until all other living things have completed their own enlightenment and liberated from the pain-filled cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. “I am cultivating this method of great compassion and hope to save all living beings,” Kuan Yin said. “Any living being who calls my name or sees me will be free from all fear and danger.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Buddhism, Goddess Studies