Monday, August 6, 2007

Kadampa Center Online Dharma Collection

If I haven't mentioned this, there's a collection of audio files at the Kadampa Center website, featuring companion audio for the FPMT's Discovering Buddhism series, amongst other titles. Check it, if you're so inclined.

Discovering Buddhism: Mind and its Potential (Kadampa Center) (November 13, 2006)

Via the Internet Archive (fantastic resource, by the way), here's a collection of audio files which are a part of the FPMT's Discovering Buddhism series. Here's the text from the Archive page:
Mind and its Potential is the first course in the Discovering Buddhism series presented by Kadampa Center. Discovering Buddhism is a 14-course series of introductory Buddhist theory and practice designed by the Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT).

Examine what is "mind," its nature and function, and how it affects our experience of happiness and suffering. Come explore the differentiation between mind and brain, mind as the creator of our experiences, and the implications of possessing a mind that has no beginning and no end. In addition, learn methods to transform destructive thoughts and attitudes and create a positive and joyous mind.

Kadampa Center, affiliated with the FPMT, is located in Raleigh, NC. For more information on the Center, see http://www.kadampa-center.org; for more information on FPMT, see http://www.fpmt.org.

Thursday, August 2, 2007

e-Books from Fo Guang Shan Monastery

As there are 20 resources on this page, I'm just going to include the link, and not direct links to the English translation articles and eBooks at the Fo Guang Shan Monastery. Check 'em out - I just opened up and started reading "The Essence of Buddhism," and it's a really interesting look at the 4 Noble Truths.

Main Link - http://www.fgs.org.tw//english/dharma/ebook/content.htm

Scroll through and you may find something interesting - topics range from the basics of Chan Buddhism to the Six Paramitas.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Two Brief Videos on Mindfulness

These are obviously snippets from somewhere else, but they are good pieces of Dharma, nonetheless.

Thich Nhat Hanh


Richard Gere (This looks to be taken from the FPMT's Discovering Buddhism series.)

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Thây's Dharma Talks

I'm sure many of you know about these already, but I just found them on Plum Village's under-renovation website. There are several talks by Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh from a variety of locations, including his most recent trip to Viet Nam.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Online Versions of the Dhammapada

Here are the Dhammapada-related resources that I've collected so far:
From Wikipedia, I've collected the following excellent links:Also, see:
And finally, though this is not online, my favorite actual book translation is the following slim volume, which will fit in your pocket, you know:

www.BuddhaBooks.info

This is a resource hosted by Ven. Kusala's Urban Dharma site. On this page you'll find a collection of .pdf's, video files and audio (mp3) files, as well as a good stash of collected eBooks, all related to the Dharma. There's lots of good stuff here, from a Buddhist dictionary to a story of two monks on a pilgrimage.

Death and Dying

Here's a collection of useful resources on death and dying put together by Ven. Kusala of UrbanDharma.org. There's lots of good stuff here - articles, podcasts, eBooks and more. There's also a list of recommended books.

Monday, July 9, 2007

Karma Kagyu Teachings

Here's another fairly extensive collection of Dharma writings. Without getting into the controversy over the 17th Karmapa, I will say that these interesting teachings are from the Karma Kagyu lineage. Topics include everything from prostrations to taking refuge in the Three Jewels to The 6 Paramitas.

FPMT Radio

"FPMT Radio broadcasts an ongoing series of Tibetan Buddhist teachings presented by FPMT teachers throughout the world, 24 hours a day. The teachings are streamed over the Internet in MP3 format and accessible to most computers with a dial up modem connection or better."

"FPMT Radio is accessible as a streaming radio station under the Religious section within Apple's iTunes. Click here ... to download the free software available for both Windows and Macintosh computers."

You can also download teachings from teachers including: Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Lama Thubten Yeshe, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Ven. Rene Feusi, Ven. Ribur Rinpoche, Ven. Robina Courtin, Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche and Ven. Sarah Thresher.

In addition, you can also download Module 1: Mind and its Potential from the FPMT's Discovering Buddhism at Home series.

Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive

Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive, if you've not been there, has a tremendous number of resources available online. You can browse their collection of teachings, including those of Lama Thubten Yeshe, Teachings by Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Teachings by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, as well as teachings by other great masters of our time. You can also browse selected teachings by topic. There are other resources available, including an online recordings library with various audio recordings available, as well as information on their podcasts. They also have printed books you can order (free or at reasonable cost) and DVDs, CDs and videos. And if you're so inclined there are also pictures of Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, as well as higher quality pics of Lama Yeshe you can order.

Online Dharma in the Gelugpa Tradition

Ran across some audio teachings sponsored by the Kadampa Center of Raleigh, NC. They vary in topic from beginning Buddhism discussions, to the wisdom of emptiness. In addition, there are two written dharma lessons - one .pdf on The 10 Non-Virtues by Ven. Sangye Khadro, and also "How to Buy a Buddhist Statue," available in HTML or .pdf format tri-fold brochure.

Sunday, July 8, 2007

Online Buddhist Library!

Found via BuddhaDharmaMum, a fantastic link to a wonderful consolidated collection of Dharma resources. Check it out!

Dharma Sounds Resource

From BuddhaDharmaMum, a blog called Buddhist Sounds, which is lovely in it's simplicity - it's purely a collection of video embeds of Buddhist music and chants, with brief commentary where it's helpful. Very nice.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

The Jātaka Tales Online

Here's a collection of links to versions of the Jātaka Tales. These stories "...are a voluminous body of folklore and mythic literature, concerned with previous births (jāti) of the Buddha." I've seen some tales done as children's stories. (See my previous post for another example.)

You Can Move Mountains: An Introduction to the Mind-Science of Dharma

This booklet by Rinchen Gyatso is a helpful read: "You Can Move Mountains: An Introduction to the Mind-Science of Dharma".

Diamond Sutra 101

This is a great 12 part lecture series on the Diamond Sutra by Venerable Hyun Gak (né Paul Muenzen). They're from the Korean Buddhist Television Network.




Here are links to the other eleven parts (each about 40 minutes long): Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12. (As a heads-up, there are up to 2 brief ads before parts 3 through 12.)

Vajrasattva Mantra



Found this via The-universe-is-all-in-your-head. Thanks.

Be a Lamp Upon Yourself

Be a Lamp Upon Yourself is an eBook published for free distribution by Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery of Singapore. It's a compilation work: "The usefulness of this book is in its concise approach to the basic teachings of the Buddha."

Three Teachings

Three Teachings is an eBook published for free distribution by Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery of Singapore. It's the teachings of the inspiring Venerable Tenzin Palmo. "[Her] Teachings on Retreat, Mahamudra Practice and Mindfulness are a delight to read. Transcribed from talks she gave in Singapore in May 1999, the Teachings are delivered in plain language, seasoned with plenty of audience participated. Each subject is discussed with humour, liveliness and compassion. She has the great gift of showing how the Dharma can be integrated into every part of our everyday lives."

All in One One in All by Thich Nhat Hanh

All in One One in All is an eBook published for free distribution by Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery of Singapore. It's written by the ever-wonderful Thich Nhat Hanh, and concerns the nature of interbeing. "This Body is not me. I am not caught by this body. I am life without boundaries. I have never been born. I will never die. Look at me. Look at the stars and the moon. All of them are me, are manifestations of me. So smile to me, take my hand, say goodbye that we will see each other right away after this. We will see each other in every walk of life. We will recognize each other again and again, everywhere."

How to Overcome your Difficulties

How to Overcome your Difficulties is an eBook published for free distribution by Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery of Singapore. It's written by Ven. K Sri Dhammananda. "Are you worried? Are you miserable? If so, you are invited to read this booklet to develop a better understanding of your problems. It is dedicated to you and to those who worry."

What Karma is

What Karma Is is an eBook published for free distribution by Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery of Singapore. It's written by Sayadaw U Thittila. " Kamma is the natural and impersonal law of cause and effect. This booklet explains the workings of Kamma and teaches us self-responsibility. We have to plant the seeds of goodness now if we want to reap good fruits in this and future lives."

The Significance and Benefits of Six-syllable Mantra Recitation

This looks to be an interesting eBook, published for free distribution by Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery of Singapore. Their description: "These teachings were given by His Eminence Drubwang Konchok Norbu Rinpoche of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage, during a 100 Million Mani Recitation Retreat conducted at Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery over year end retreat 2004. They explain the benefits and importance of doing the Mani recitation for the benefit of others and oneself, and the mental state in which the recitation is to be conducted."
The Significance and Benefits of Six-syllable Mantra Recitation

Children's Dharma eBooks

Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery of Singapore has a couple of children's Dharma books available for free distribution:
  • Tales of the Buddha's Former Lives - Stories 51-100 (Table of Contents, p. 1-100, p. 101-216). These are Jātaka Tales, I believe. "Tales of the Buddha's Former Lives is a collection of simple stories written along the line of Aesop's Fables. Though meant for readers of all ages, they are especially useful to older children and teenagers, as these stories promote and highlight virtuous conduct and good behaviour, especially those human values that contribute to harmony, pleasure and progress."
  • We Are Good Children - This is really sweet - it's colorful and pleasant, and also bilingual. ^_^ It's meant for little ones. "Children should be taught and instilled with the right morals and ethics since young. The objectives of this bilingual book are to introduce, familiarise and inculcate young children the virtues of Buddhism and eastern culture like filial piety, gratitude and compassion. Through this process, we hope children would be imbued with the positive traits of self-reflection and self-correction of non-virtuous behaviour and conduct."

Thubten Chodron eBooks

Venerable Thubten Chodron, abbess of Sravasti Abbey, has several Dharma eBooks, made available for free distribution by Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery of Singapore.
  • Transforming Our Daily Activities - "Spiritual practice need not be separated from daily living. Here is a book that teaches you how you can lead a more fulfilling life according to the Buddha's teachings and transform your daily activities into acts of compassion and loving-kindness. You can live and breathe the Dharma even while at work, driving or doing grocery shopping!"
  • Working With Anger - " "Working with Anger" offers many practical techniques for anger management. Although the Buddha is usually thought of as a religious leader, he was also a consummate psychologist and peacemaker. This presentation is based upon the Buddha's unique prescription for transforming anger and the author's interactions with mental health professionals, people in therapy and conflict mediators."
  • I Wonder Why - "This books covers the most fundamental questions and issues that arise in the minds of modern individuals who are new to this tradition of practical spirituality. Written in clear and engaging language, this book presents the Buddhist approach to the issues and concerns of daily life."

Coming Soon

Ha-ha - had to do that. This is kind of a personal venture for me - a way for me to keep track of online Dharma resources I run across. Hopefully it will be helpful to someone else, as well.