enlightenment. The statues are an ever-present reminder of the example set by the Buddha
- that all beings are Buddhas, and are capable of gaining enlightenment.
There are many different representations of the Buddha. Some of these reflect the
differing concerns of the branches of Buddhism. All images of the Buddha include mudras
(ritual hand gestures) which portray different qualities of the enlightened mind.
Thangka or Yantra
The use of thangkas (or yantras) is as an aid to visualisation in meditation. A thangka is a
hanging picture which has a central design, usually a Buddha or a bodhisatta on which the
meditator can focus his or her concentration. Some thangkas are painted on walls, and
some are designed and made on cloth so that they can be carried around. There will often
be a chant or an explanation to accompany the visualisation, and the words which are
chanted are an aid to concentration. Like the mandala, the creation of a thangka is often
seen as a method of awareness and meditaion.
Thangka or Yantra
The use of yantras (called thangkas in Tibet) is as an aid to visualisation in meditation. A
thangka is a hanging picture which has a central design, usually a Buddha or a bodhisatta
on which the meditator can focus his or her concentration. Some thangkas are painted on
walls, and some are designed and made on cloth so that they can be carried around. There
will often be a chant or an explanation to accompany the visualisation, and the words
which are chanted are an aid to concentration.
The Steps of Magga – the Eightfold Path are as follows:
Right view
This could also be interpreted as right understanding. It is about seeing things as they
really are. The Buddhist is urged to see the truth of things.
Right thought
This does not only involve the Buddhist in thinking good things, but it is concerned that
what is thought is free from selfish desires and ill will towards others.
Right speech
The Buddha taught that all words have consequences; therefore, every time a person
speaks, they could be the cause of either good or evil. The Buddhist should strive to avoid
harsh words or lying, and try to say good things.
Right action
The Buddha taught that deeds as well as words have consequences. Actions are performed
because they lead to liberation or release, and help a person to attain Nirvana. One way of
following this step is to leave the world and give up wanting anything.
Right way of life
The Buddha taught that a persons way of life must be the right one or else it will be
difficult to follow all the paths. For example, certain types of job would interfere with a
persons striving for freedom, and some occupations are morally wrong. In order to have a
chance, a person must have the right job and lifestyle.
Right effort
By right effort the Buddha was referring to effort of mind. Effort must be put into
rejecting anything which would interfere with a persons progress towards right meditation.
Right mindfulness
Buddhist teaching recommends that a person pays full attention to what he or she is doing.
It is important to be aware of what is going on and it is more important to give attention
to what is happening at present than to think about the past or the future.
Right concentration
This refers to meditation. It is achieved by concentrating the mind entirely on one thing.
The aim is to free the mind from any attachment. The Buddhist way to enlightenment is
through attention, and not through fantasy.
The Tibetan community
Tibet took on Buddhism as their state religion, taking it not just the way they would deal
with spiritual matters, but also the form of government for their country. Under this
system, Tibets spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, was also the political leader. Lama is the
Tibetan name for a Buddhist monk.
The present Dalai Lama had to flee to India when Tibet was overrun by the Chinese Army
in 1959. However, he is still regarded as the leader of the Tibetan Buddhists, of whom
about 100,000 are also in exile. Nevertheless, Buddhism in Tibet is still thriving.
The Tibetan prayer wheel
This is a cylindrical barrel, hollow inside. It might be mounted on a wall or have a handle
so that it can be hand-held. Inside the prayer wheel, there are pieces of paper which have
mantras (chants) on them.
As the mantra is said, the prayer wheel is turned. This is said to release spiritual power
and protect the mind from thoughts of aggression or ill will.
Wesak in Tibet
This is a festival of lights, and lamps are lit everywhere. It is also a very strict day of
Buddhist observance where absolutely no meat is eaten, and where some lay-Buddhists
take on penances. These might take the form of going around any Buddhist sacred
monument in a clockwise direction, but by fully prostrating their bodies, and then standing
where their heads were, before repeating the process over and over again. Others have
been known to take vows of silence for up to seven days.
The young Siddattha Gotama enjoyed a life of luxury, he lived in beautiful palaces, wore
the best clothes, and ate the best food. His father had been told by a Brahmin that
Siddattha would become either a great ruler or a holy man of the forest. The king
was anxious that Siddattha did not see anything in the world that would make him want to
live the life of a holy man. Siddattha was married to Yashodhara at the age of sixteen, by
which time his father had provided him with three palaces and many gardens.
Basic beliefs
The basic teaching of the Buddha is to avoid extremes. There is nothing to be gained from
over indulgence in pleasure, nor in fanatical austerity and self-denial. The way of the
Buddha is the Middle Way. He said that life was like being on a wheel, with people
moving in a continuous cycle from birth, through life, to death, and then rebirth. He said
that craving and desire keep people on the wheel. The escape from this endless cycle is
enlightenment. The traditional way in which the Buddhas teaching has been handed down
is in the Four Noble Truths.
The use of thangkas (or yantras) is as an aid to visualisation in meditation. A thangka is a
hanging picture which has a central design, usually a Buddha or a bodhisatta on which the
meditator can focus his or her concentration. Some thangkas are painted
on walls, and some are designed and made on cloth so that they can be carried around.
There will often be a chant or an explanation to accompany the visualisation, and the
words which are chanted are an aid
to concentration. Like the mandala, the creation of a thangka is often seen as a method of
awareness and meditaion