Giuseppe Tucci Tibetan Buddhist and Newar Tantric Art - The Robert Beer Online Galleries Tibetan Arms and Armor Armor and weapons are certainly not among the images usually called to mind when considering the art or culture of Tibet, which is closely identified with the pacifism and deep spirituality of the Dalai Lama and with the compassionate nature of Tibetan Buddhism . However, this seeming paradox resolves itself when seen in the context of Tibetan history, which includes regular and extended periods of intense military activity from the seventh to the mid-twentieth century. Many excellent examples of Tibetan arms and armor can be found in museum collections today largely due to the fact that various types of armor and weapons continued to be used in Tibet into the early twentieth century, long after they had gone out of use in the West. Armor The most characteristic form of body armor associated with Tibet is called lamellar armor ( 36.25.53a,b ). Leather armor was also used in Tibet, as it was in many parts of Asia and Central Asia. Spears and Spearheads Spears were also frequently used.
Foundations of Buddhism / Vajradhara Vajradhara- Bearer of the Thunderbolt!! Vajradhara (Sanskrit: वज्रधार Vajradhāra, Tibetan: རྡོ་རྗེ་འཆང་། rdo rje 'chang (Dorje Chang); Chinese: 多杰羌佛; Javanese: Kabajradharan; Japanese: 執金剛神; English: Diamond-holder) The Bearer of the thunderbolt, Vajradhara, is said to be the primordial (or Adi) Buddha in certain schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The Myths and Origins of Vajradhara Buddha In many Buddhist schools, especially in the four Tibetan schools of Buddhism, they consider Vajradhara to be the dharmakaya and the origin of these schools. In the Buddhist world, some believe that there is no physical form to Vajradhara, and that he is more of a being who exists in a heavenly realm and that he is beyond conception. Vajradhara is the highest deity of the Buddhist Pantheon. In the picture to the left is one instance of Vajradhara sitting with his hands in the diamond mudra. The Vajra and Bell To the left is an image of the vajra that we have been talking about. of departing and changing, Tibet
Jigtenmig - Classical Tibetan Language Blog Songs and Meditations of the Tibetan Dhyani Buddhas Tibetans use self-immolation to protest rule by Chinese as party congress opens BEIJING — Tibetan protests against Chinese rule intensified around the opening of a pivotal Communist Party Congress, as three teenage monks and two other Tibetans set themselves on fire over two days, activists reported Thursday. Four of the self-immolations took place Wednesday and were followed by a fifth involving a nomad in western Qinghai on Thursday. Since March 2011, dozens of ethnic Tibetans have set themselves on fire in ethnically Tibetan areas to protest what activists say is China’s heavy-handed rule over the region. “These protests are aimed at sending the next generation of China’s unelected regime a clear signal that Tibetans will continue to fight for their freedom despite China’s efforts to suppress and intimidate them,” Free Tibet Director Stephanie Brigden said in a statement. Free Tibet also said that the three monks, ages 15 and 16, were the youngest to self-immolate. The pro-Tibet groups’ accounts could not immediately be confirmed.
Dorje - Tilly Campbell-Allen This Vajra, known as Dorje in Tibetan, represents the steadfast strength of spiritual awakening. Vajrasattva Hundred Syllable Mantra In future, when I reach Perfect Buddhahood, may those who have committed the five heinous crimes with immediate retribution, or anyone whose samaya commitments have been impaired, be purified entirely of all their harmful actions and impairments merely by hearing my name, thinking of me, or reciting the hundred-syllable mantra, the most majestic of all the secret mantras! Until then, may I remain in samsara! And may I be present before all those with impairments and breakages of samaya commitments and may I purify all their obscurations!oṃO Vajrasattva honour the agreement!Reveal yourself as the vajra-being!
Comunità Tibetana in Italia ONLUS Why Beauty Matters: Philosopher Roger Scruton & Theologian, Painter, Michael Pearce On Why We Need to Reclaim Art for the Soul » Combustus rt matters. Let’s start from there. Regardless of your personal tastes or aesthetics as you stand before a painting, slip inside a photograph, run your hand along the length of a sculpture, or move your body to the arrangements spiraling out of the concert speakers…something very primary ~ and primal ~ is happening. And much of it sub-conscious. There’s an element of trust. Hannah Arendt Political philosopher, Hannah Arendt (1906 – 1975), defined artworks as “thought things,” ideas given material form to inspire reflection and rumination. Sometimes even discomfort. Philosopher and writer, Roger Scruton So we know that art matters. Are we happy with the direction art is taking? In his compelling video, “Why Beauty Matters,” the philosopher asks us to wake up and start demanding something more from art other than disposable entertainment. Why Beauty Matters – Por que a beleza importa from jinacio on Vimeo. Who’s to say, after all, what constitutes beauty? Like this: Like Loading...
The Tibetan Book of Proportions In this section of the site we bring you curated collections of images, books, audio and film, shining a light on curiosities and wonders from a wide range of online archives. With a leaning toward the surprising, the strange, and the beautiful, we hope to provide an ever-growing cabinet of curiosities for the digital age, a kind of hyperlinked Wunderkammer – an archive of materials which truly celebrates the breadth and variety of our shared cultural commons and the minds that have made it. Some of our most popular posts include visions of the future from late 19th century France, a dictionary of Victorian slang and a film showing the very talented “hand-farting” farmer of Michigan. With each post including links back to the original source we encourage you to explore these wonderful online sources for yourself. Check out our Sources page to see where we find the content.