“I am concerned only with suffering and the release of suffering.”
-Sakyamuni Buddha, Anuradha Sutta
Buddhism in the birthplace of Buddha (Nepal)
The historical figure of Siddhartha Gautama of the Sakya Clan was born in Lumbini in Nepal’s tarai (southern plains) circa 623 BC. He later became known by the title Buddha “the awakened”. Hindus consider him to be an avatar of the Hindu deity Vishnu and frequent Buddhist temples and are welcoming of Buddhists at Hindu shrines.
“Strive for your own liberation with diligence…Do not simply consider truth what is persistently repeated, or is tradition, or scripture, or because of a person’s apparent ability, or because ‘He is our teacher’, but only when you yourselves recognize: This is good; this is not faulty; this is commended by the sensible; tried and perceived, these things lead to benefit and happiness. Thereupon, live up to it.” -Advice said to have been given by Sakyamuni Buddha
Like the snowy Himalaya
The virtuous shine from afar.
And the wicked move unseen
Even When Near
Like arrows in the night. –Sakyamuni Buddha (born in Lumbini, Nepal), the Dhammapada (Pakinnakavagga)
Tibetan Medicine, The Art of Healing
Sowa Rigpa translates to ‘the art of healing’, and is more generally known as Tibetan medicine. This time-honored healing tradition dates back over two thousand years and shares ties and similarities with Indian ayurveda. Sowa rigpa and ayurveda are holistic and both aim to treat body and mind together. Focusing on the mind is considered most important.
According to Sowa Rigpa principles, ‘Our state of mind and mood affects everything we do. When we are happy, our body is at ease and the world seems a brighter place. Even if we are sick we can be at peace. However, if we are sad our physical well-being goes unappreciated. Personal conduct and diet are considered two of the most important factors relating to health. Diet may be either conducive to curing disease or contribute to its cause…indiscriminate eating is like poisoning yourself.’
The practice of Sowa Rigpa encompasses identification and harvest of rare Himalayan flora. Most of the medicinal plants (jadibuti) are collected from the highlands of Nepal and the Tibetan Plateau. The World Health Organization estimates that up to ‘80% of the world’s people depend on traditional medicine and plant extracts for their primary health care needs.’
Amchi (healers) prepare their own compounds, diagnose patients, and prescribe remedies as needed. A consultation with an amchi generally includes manual measuring of wrist pulse strength and speed, checking the coloring of the tongue and whites of the eyes and more. Herbal remedies are usually handcrafted at an in-house dispensary.
Amchi are typically skilled in astrology, too, analyzing the stars and forecasting favorable and unfavorable dates. They are consulted for general readings and specific timings and compatibility of travel plans, activities, events (e.g., wedding dates) and more based on stellar alignments and lunar phases among other aspects of a client’s horoscope.
Sowa Rigpa is a classic art true to its ancient roots and has not been altered by the modern, turbulent world but can help cure its ills.
“An open, peaceful mind is very beneficial and helps others.” –Tengboche Rinpoche
tradition true to its ancient roots and has not been altered by the modern, turbulent world but can help cure its ills.
Compassion 101
In Buddhist monasteries and shrines in Nepal, Tibet and India, you might notice water offerings in small goblets at an altar, along mantles of prayer halls, near statues and at the base of thangka and especially near images of rinpoche . The water is changed daily, sometimes twice or more. It is not simply an offering but an exercise for the giver. It is considered a training in compassion for transforming the mind. Water is relatively easy to obtain and provide and typically costs the giver nothing. The notion is that by providing something free, i.e., water, as a ‘donation’, resistance to giving in general is ultimately lessened. A person eventually develops a habit of giving without reluctance, and the ability to share more and more with others.
“If people knew the results of giving and sharing … Even if it were their last bite, their last mouthful, they would not eat without having shared, if there were some being to receive their gift.” -Sakyamuni Buddha (born in Nepal’s Lumbini), Itivuttaka Sutta
-Sakyamuni Buddha, Anuradha Sutta
Buddhism in the birthplace of Buddha (Nepal)
The historical figure of Siddhartha Gautama of the Sakya Clan was born in Lumbini in Nepal’s tarai (southern plains) circa 623 BC. He later became known by the title Buddha “the awakened”. Hindus consider him to be an avatar of the Hindu deity Vishnu and frequent Buddhist temples and are welcoming of Buddhists at Hindu shrines.
“Strive for your own liberation with diligence…Do not simply consider truth what is persistently repeated, or is tradition, or scripture, or because of a person’s apparent ability, or because ‘He is our teacher’, but only when you yourselves recognize: This is good; this is not faulty; this is commended by the sensible; tried and perceived, these things lead to benefit and happiness. Thereupon, live up to it.” -Advice said to have been given by Sakyamuni Buddha
The virtuous shine from afar.
And the wicked move unseen
Even When Near
Like arrows in the night. –Sakyamuni Buddha (born in Lumbini, Nepal), the Dhammapada (Pakinnakavagga)
Tibetan Medicine, The Art of Healing
Sowa Rigpa translates to ‘the art of healing’, and is more generally known as Tibetan medicine. This time-honored healing tradition dates back over two thousand years and shares ties and similarities with Indian ayurveda. Sowa rigpa and ayurveda are holistic and both aim to treat body and mind together. Focusing on the mind is considered most important.
According to Sowa Rigpa principles, ‘Our state of mind and mood affects everything we do. When we are happy, our body is at ease and the world seems a brighter place. Even if we are sick we can be at peace. However, if we are sad our physical well-being goes unappreciated. Personal conduct and diet are considered two of the most important factors relating to health. Diet may be either conducive to curing disease or contribute to its cause…indiscriminate eating is like poisoning yourself.’
The practice of Sowa Rigpa encompasses identification and harvest of rare Himalayan flora. Most of the medicinal plants (jadibuti) are collected from the highlands of Nepal and the Tibetan Plateau. The World Health Organization estimates that up to ‘80% of the world’s people depend on traditional medicine and plant extracts for their primary health care needs.’
Amchi (healers) prepare their own compounds, diagnose patients, and prescribe remedies as needed. A consultation with an amchi generally includes manual measuring of wrist pulse strength and speed, checking the coloring of the tongue and whites of the eyes and more. Herbal remedies are usually handcrafted at an in-house dispensary.
Amchi are typically skilled in astrology, too, analyzing the stars and forecasting favorable and unfavorable dates. They are consulted for general readings and specific timings and compatibility of travel plans, activities, events (e.g., wedding dates) and more based on stellar alignments and lunar phases among other aspects of a client’s horoscope.
Sowa Rigpa is a classic art true to its ancient roots and has not been altered by the modern, turbulent world but can help cure its ills.
“An open, peaceful mind is very beneficial and helps others.” –Tengboche Rinpoche
tradition true to its ancient roots and has not been altered by the modern, turbulent world but can help cure its ills.
Compassion 101
In Buddhist monasteries and shrines in Nepal, Tibet and India, you might notice water offerings in small goblets at an altar, along mantles of prayer halls, near statues and at the base of thangka and especially near images of rinpoche . The water is changed daily, sometimes twice or more. It is not simply an offering but an exercise for the giver. It is considered a training in compassion for transforming the mind. Water is relatively easy to obtain and provide and typically costs the giver nothing. The notion is that by providing something free, i.e., water, as a ‘donation’, resistance to giving in general is ultimately lessened. A person eventually develops a habit of giving without reluctance, and the ability to share more and more with others.
“If people knew the results of giving and sharing … Even if it were their last bite, their last mouthful, they would not eat without having shared, if there were some being to receive their gift.” -Sakyamuni Buddha (born in Nepal’s Lumbini), Itivuttaka Sutta
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