Updated Articles and Resources

By Barbara O'Brien, About.com Guide

Buddhist Holidays - calendar of Buddhist holidays 2012 Created: Sunday, November 30, 2008 Updated: Friday, May 04, 2012
This calendar of Buddhist holidays for 2012 is ordered by date instead of by holiday, so that you can follow along through the year. Note that the several traditions of Buddhism do not all observe ...
What Is Samadhi in Buddhism Created: Monday, January 30, 2012 Updated: Thursday, May 03, 2012
Samadhi, concentration, means
Biography of Henry Steel Olcott, the White Buddhist of Ceylon Created: Saturday, March 31, 2012 Updated: Monday, April 30, 2012
Henry Steel Olcott (1832-1907) is venerated today in Sri Lanka for leading a revival of Buddhism.
The Life of Sariputra, Disciple of the Buddha Created: Sunday, April 29, 2012 Updated: Sunday, April 29, 2012
Sariputra was one of the Buddha's foremost disciples. Here is a brief account of his life.
Mahayana Sutras -- List of Important Mahayana Buddhist Sutras Created: Friday, January 25, 2008 Updated: Sunday, April 29, 2012
The name sutra (Sanskrit for
Buddhism in Sri Lanka Created: Thursday, April 26, 2012 Updated: Sunday, April 29, 2012
Buddhism came to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BCE. Here is a very brief history of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, from its beginnings to the end of the 19th century.
Ananda, Disciple of the Buddha Created: Saturday, April 28, 2012 Updated: Saturday, April 28, 2012
The story of Ananda, a disciple and a chief attendant of the Buddha.
Sutra - What does sutra mean in Buddhism Created: Sunday, January 06, 2008 Updated: Saturday, April 28, 2012
The name sutra (Sanskrit for
Parinirvana - How the Buddha Entered Nirvana Created: Sunday, February 15, 2009 Updated: Saturday, April 28, 2012
At his death, the historical Buddha entered complete Nirvana, also called Parinirvana. This is the story of the Buddha's final days.
Women and the Buddha -- what the Buddha taught about women Created: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 Updated: Saturday, April 28, 2012
The historical BuddhaÃ¢Â€Â™s most famous statements on women came about when his stepmother and aunt, Maha Pajapati Gotami, asked to join the Sangha and become a nun. ...
Buddhist Monk Robes - An Overview of Buddhist Monk Robes Created: Friday, July 17, 2009 Updated: Saturday, April 28, 2012
Although the robes of Buddhist monks and nuns come in many colors and styles, they are all part of a tradition going back to the time of the historical Buddha, 26 centuries ago.
The Lotus Sutra - An Overview of the Lotus Sutra Created: Sunday, February 01, 2009 Updated: Saturday, April 28, 2012
Of the countless scriptures of Mahayana Buddhism, few are more widely read or revered than the Lotus Sutra. This article gives a brief overview of the sutra and its history.
The Pali Canon - History of the Pali Canon or Tripitaka Created: Thursday, June 05, 2008 Updated: Saturday, April 28, 2012
The earliest written scriptures of Buddhism are collected in the Tripitaka, also called the Pali Canon. What is in the Pali Canon, and where did these texts come from?
Buddhist Monk Robes - The Rice Field Pattern in Buddhist Robes Created: Monday, July 20, 2009 Updated: Saturday, April 28, 2012
The rice field pattern is repeated on monk's robes in many schools of Buddhism.
The Buddha's Robe - Images of Buddhist Monks' Robes Created: Monday, July 20, 2009 Updated: Saturday, April 28, 2012
The distinctive style of Buddhist monks' robes originated 25 centuries ago among the historical Buddha's disciples. This image gallery illustrates the original robe today in southeast Asia and show...
History & Major Schools of Buddhism - Buddhist History and Major Buddhist Schools Created: Tuesday, January 06, 2009 Updated: Saturday, April 28, 2012
What began with the teaching of a wandering holy man in India grew to become the fourth largest religion in the world. Although primarily associated with Asia, today Buddhism has established itself...
Festival of the Sacred Tooth in Sri Lanka Created: Friday, April 27, 2012 Updated: Friday, April 27, 2012
A tooth of the Buddha is the main feature of Sri Lanka's Festival of the Sacred Tooth. Here is a brief history of the tooth.
Brief Guide to Major Sectarian Distinctions in Buddhism Created: Sunday, October 30, 2011 Updated: Thursday, April 26, 2012
Buddhism comes in many sectarian flavors. This is a very basic guide to major schools for people new to Buddhism.
Origins of Theravada, the Oldest School of Buddhism -- Teaching of the Elders Created: Saturday, December 29, 2007 Updated: Thursday, April 26, 2012
Theravada considers itself to be the school closest to the original form of Buddhism. It emphasizes individual enlightenment and critical reasoning.
The Buddha's Robe: Cambodian Buddhist Monks' Robes Created: Monday, July 20, 2009 Updated: Thursday, April 26, 2012
Schools of Tibetan Buddhism -- The Major Sects of Tibetan Buddhism Created: Thursday, April 03, 2008 Updated: Thursday, April 26, 2012
Tibetan Buddhism has developed into six distinctive major traditions. Here is a brief explanation of each.
The Panchen Lama of Tibetan Budhism in History and Current Events Created: Saturday, March 31, 2012 Updated: Saturday, April 14, 2012
The Panchen Lama, second highest lama in Tibetan Buddhism, has become a pawn of Chinese politics. Here is a brief background and history of the Panchen Lama.
The 7th Dalai Lama - the Life of Kelzang Gyatso Created: Friday, October 07, 2011 Updated: Saturday, March 31, 2012
The life of Kelzang Gyatso, the 7th Dalai Lama, was marked by political upheaval. These upheavals play a role today in China's claim to Tibet.
Gelugpa - the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism Created: Wednesday, March 21, 2012 Updated: Saturday, March 31, 2012
About the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism.
The Great Fifth - A Biography of the fifth Dalai Lama Created: Saturday, September 24, 2011 Updated: Saturday, March 31, 2012
A biography of the 5th Dalai Lama of Tibet, a life marked by political intrigue from start to finish -- and beyond.
The Two Truths Doctrine of Buddhism Created: Thursday, March 29, 2012 Updated: Thursday, March 29, 2012
The Two Truths Doctrine of Mahayana Buddhism explains the nature of reality.
The Heart Sutra - A Beginner's Introduction to the Heart Sutra Created: Thursday, November 19, 2009 Updated: Thursday, March 29, 2012
A brief introduction to the Heart Sutra for the completely baffled.
Madhyamika -- Madhyamika Is a Cornerstone of Mahayana Buddhism Created: Sunday, February 10, 2008 Updated: Thursday, March 29, 2012
Madhyamika was an early school of Mahayana Buddhism. Madhyamika is primarily concerned with the nature of existence and the doctrine of shunyata,
Tibetan Buddhism - An Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism Created: Monday, November 03, 2008 Updated: Thursday, March 22, 2012
Tibetan Buddhism is distinguished by its rich mythology and art, its esoteric tantra practices, and its reincarnated lamas. Here is a basic introduction to Tibetan Buddhism.
How Buddhism Came to Tibet -- The History of Buddhism in Tibet Created: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 Updated: Wednesday, March 21, 2012
This is a brief history of Tibetan Buddhism from in 641 CE, when King Songtsen Gampo unified Tibet and married two Buddhist princesses, to 1642, when the 5th Dalai Lama became ruler of Tibet.
The 6th Dalai Lama - the short life and tragic death of the playboy Dalai Lama Created: Sunday, September 25, 2011 Updated: Wednesday, March 21, 2012
People are often amused to learn that one of the Dalai Lamas preferred parties and women to prayer. But His Holiness Tsangyang Gyatso, the 6th Dalai Lama, was loved by his people and came to a trag..
Buddhist Monk Robes - Gelugpa Tibetan Monk Robes Created: Monday, July 20, 2009 Updated: Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Tibetan Buddhist monks debate doctrines at the Jokhang Temple on June 20, 2009 in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, China. Traditionally, Lhasa is the seat of the Dalai Lama and the capital of Tibet,..

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