Buddha on Pleasure

If one, longing for sensual pleasure,
 achieves it, yes,
he's enraptured at heart.
The mortal gets what he wants.
But if for that person
 — longing, desiring —
the pleasures diminish,
 he's shattered,
as if shot with an arrow.


~Buddha

Buddha on Earnestness~

Fools follow after vanity. The wise man keeps earnestness as his best jewel.
~Buddha
The Way of the Buddha
Dhammapada 26

Buddha on Peace~

Better than a thousand hollow words is one word that brings peace.

-- Buddha (560-483 B.C.)

Quan Yin Prayer for today

Divine Mother, Goddess of compassion who hears the cries of the world, pour forth you love, bring protection and peace to all.

Goddess of compassion and mercy, Quan Yin hears the cries of all beings and is the carrier of the Divine Mother aspect of Buddhism. Blessing all beings with physical and spiritual peace, she is a symbol of wisdom, strenght and the divine powers of transformation; she is a Bodhisattva, an enlightened one, who chose to remain in the world of form until all beings have attained enlightenment, pouring forth her love on all who call upon her in times of need.

Universal Buddha~

Today is a great today to remember that we are universal beings and that we all are connected through the most powerful force in the universe......LOVE! Close your eyes and connect to your Beautiful Buddha Nature and know that you are loved beyond measure!

May your day be blessed with universal understanding!
Peace...Love....Laughter~
Desiree

Medicine Buddha

Medicine Buddha is an enlightened being who has unbiased compassion for all living beings. He protects one from sickness, dangers and obstacles, and helps to eradicate the cause of sickness and danger. He is a Buddha Doctor that people can rely upon. They say that just by hearing his name, you can be cured.

This teaching explains how to make the connection to this Buddha and the benefits, and how to practice the Medicine Buddha instructions.

Bhaiṣajyaguru (藥師佛 Ch. Yàoshīfó, 薬師 Jp. Yakushi), more formally Bhaiṣajyaguruvaidūryaprabha (Jp. 薬師瑠璃光如来 Yakushirurikō nyorai) and also known as the Master of Healing or Medicine Buddha, is the Buddha of healing. His full name means "Medicine Master Lapis Lazuli Light". In Mahayana Buddhism, Bhaiṣajyaguru represents the healing aspect of the historical Buddha Sakyamuni. The use of the analogy of a Buddha being depicted as a doctor who cures the illness of suffering using the medicine of his teachings appears widely in Buddhist scriptures.

QUAN YIN HEART of COMPASSION HEALING

With my hand on my heart
I breathe Quan Yin's love
Into the temple of my heart
I feel her presence
In my heart chakra
I feel her love run through
Every artery and vessel
I feel her compassion
flowing in my blood
I am blessed by her presence~
Mercy and goodness prevails~

Shanti!

Buddha and Friendship~

Genuine friendships are not based on status, wealth, elitist association, or self-serving needs.

According to the Buddha, good friends:

1) Help in times of need.

2) Are prepared to even forfeit their lives.

3) Protect you from evil.

4) Rejoice in your success, and honor those who praise you.

The Buddha’s definition of friendship is centered around spiritual advancement. Genuine friends lead you towards spiritual and dharmic progress. They always dissuade you from wrong and harmful actions. Good friendships are based on selfless love, and incorporate human values.

When we are able to understand these definitions of good friendship and translate that into genuine expression, in all our interactions, in every relationship, then, the divine spark ignites in ourselves and others.

Metta when taken in its real perspective encapsulates all the noble human feelings a person could shower on another." Metta (loving kindness), Karuna (compassion), Muditha (altruistic joy) and Upeksha (equanimity), which are known as Satara Brahma Vihara or the Four Noble patterns of behaviour form the very sheet anchor of Buddhist friendly, ethical conduct. The spirit of love and friendship promulgated by these, cover a much wider spectrum than mere love,

I am so blessed to have friends that are of loving kindness, compassion, altruistic joy, and equanimity. I also know that my true friends have a mutual feeling towards me. I also believe that when we are friends with our Creator.....our relationships follow suit!

I did not want to touch on the negative....and what Buddha considered 'bad friends' but the fourth thing listed is "Influence friends towards bad habits like drinking".....and I just have to add that I give wine to me friends and I truly believe Buddha would have changed that last one ...knowing that a nice glass of good red wine is actually good for the heart.....in fact I know he would have! ; )

Beautiful Lavender ~~Essential Oils and more!

I love lavender and the smell of this beautiful flower instantly relieves stress for me. I have a lavender pillow that I keep near my bedside. When I am restless I simply pick up the little sachet and breathe in the wonderful smell! I also use the essential oil in my healing sessions. I usually put a small dot in between the eyebrows on the forehead(third eye chakra)during the Quan Yin Meditation.

The name lavender comes from the Latin root lavare, which means "to wash." Lavender most likely earned this name because it was frequently used in baths to help purify the body and spirit. However, this herb is also considered a natural remedy for a range of ailments from insomnia and anxiety to depression and mood disturbances. Research has confirmed that lavender produces calming, soothing, and sedative effects.

Lavender is native to the mountainous zones of the Mediterranean where it grows in sunny, stony habitats. Today, it flourishes throughout southern Europe, Australia, and the United States. Lavender is a heavily branched short shrub that grows to a height of roughly 60 centimeters. Its broad rootstock bears woody branches with erect, rod-like, leafy, green shoots. A silvery down covers the gray-green narrow leaves, which are oblong and tapered, attached directly at the base, and curled spirally.

Human clinical studies have reported that lavender essential oil may be beneficial in a variety of conditions, including insomnia, alopecia (hair loss), anxiety, stress, postoperative pain, and as an antibacterial and antiviral agent. Lavender oil is also used together with other forms of integrative medicine, such as massage, acupuncture, and chiropractic manipulation.

When life takes a toll on you and your nervous system...sit down, light a candle and breathe in the beautiful fragrance of lavender. Your whole mood and attitude will shift for the better!

Amethyst~ The Spiritual Stone

The amethyst crystal is known to be one of the highest stones in spiritual healing and energy. I use this stone during my healing sessions and I also have amethyst crystal all around my home. It is said that if you put an amethyst under your pillow it will help you remember your dreams.

I also relate the amethyst stone to Quan Yin and her lavender flame of compassion.
These crystals can be found in several shades of purple, violet, and lavender. I clean and recharge my amethyst in the light of the full moon. I try to put them under the moonlight within three day prior or three days following the full moon. While some crystal can be charged by solar energy, the sun actually will fade the brightness of the stone. Many healers, intuitive, and spiritual minded beings are drawn to this stone. It is a beauty.

Buddha ~ Law Among the Birds

In the Buddhist religion, the Dharma concept of the Buddha is not confined to men, but is taught to all kinds of beings, including ghosts and animals. According to a legend Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of Mercy, (Avalokiteśvara is often depicted in a female form known as Guan Yin or Kuan Yin or Quan Yin) had taken among the birds the form of a cuckoo - an animal which recommends itself to the Buddhist mind by its attitude to family life.

Singing Bowl

Since the time of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni (560 - 489 B.C.E.) the harmonics of singing bowls have been used to induce meditation and assist spiritual seekers to the state of enlightenment.

Previously used in Tibet for meditation and ceremonial purposes, Tibetan Singing Bowls are struck with a padded mallet or rubbed around the rim with a playing mallet to produce a fascinating blend of harmonic resonances and rich overtones.

QuanYin and Vegetarianism

Due to her symbolising compassion, in East Asia Quan Yin is associated with vegetarianism. Chinese vegetarian restaurants are generally decorated with her image, and she appears in most Buddhist vegetarian pamphlets and magazines.

Buddha's Mother~

The woman who gave birth to Buddha Shakyamuni is called in the scriptures, Mahamaya, meaning Great Maya, or Mayadevi, the Goddess Maya. In Tibetan, she is called Gyutrulma. In English, she is generally called Queen Maya, a designation that obscures more than it reveals.

Queen Māyā's white elephant dream, and the conception of the Buddha. Gandhara, 2-3rd century CE.

Queen Māyā of Sakya was the birth mother of the historical Gautama Buddha, Siddhārtha of the Gautama gotra, and sister of Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī the first woman ordained by the Buddha. "Māyā" means "illusion" or "enchantment" in Sanskrit and Pāli. Māyā is also called Mahāmāyā ("great Māyā") or Māyādevī ("Queen, literally 'goddess,' Māyā"). In Tibetan she is called Gyutrulma. Queen Mayadevi was born in Devadaha kingdom of ancient Nepal.

~Buddha~ - Triolet poetry by Desiree (contemporary)

He brings the teachings of dharma
in right mind, right, action
Livelihood, the lessons of karma
He brings the teachings of dharma
middle path, noble truth, and nirvana
Enlightened and fully awake
He brings the teachings of dharma
flowering love for humanity's sake

I wrote this Triolet in celebration of Vesak and in honor of the Buddha. Happy Birthday Buddha!

Triolet form is an 8 line poem and is one of the oldest French styles in poetry. There is value in each word. The first line is repeated three times within the eight lines. There is no room for squandering in this style. It is a great form to remind us of the discipline necessary in writing all poetry. I love exalting form in poetry!

Many Many Blessings~
Desiree

~Buddha Cupcakes~

In celebration of Wesak (Vesak) or Buddha Day on May 9th I found a fellow blogger whom
had designed Buddha cupcakes. I love the color and the happiness that radiates from this picture. At the Cambodian Temple in Stockton I love the bright colors that are used to paint all of the statues of Buddha. I always feel peace there but the colors lift my spirits!

Beautiful Wesak Meditation

In preparing for Wesak (Vesak) I found this beautiful video. I posted it on my blog so that you can enjoy the benefits of this meditation. May this holy time bring you peace and love in your heart.

Many Many Blessings~
Desiree

Celebrate the Upcoming Wesak Festival ( Vesak ~Buddha Day)

I start today to prepare for Vesak. I honor this time and I give my undivided attention to the birth, the enlightenment, and the death (rebirth) of the Buddha. The teachings of Buddha have brought me in full realization of my Buddha nature. I have a deeper understanding about much of life and I am so very grateful for Buddha. I hope that you enjoy this holy time and explore some of the teachings of the Buddha.

Much Peace and Happiness~
Desiree

note: The picture is of Mt. Shasta here is some info on the annual festival that takes place there:

Welcome to the 15th Annual Wesak Celebration, May 8-10, 2009
This year's theme: Embracing Unconditional Love
This year's Wesak Festival features Gay & Kathlyn Hendricks

Quan Yin Energy

I feel you presence oh so near
I hear your cry in the gentle breeze.
I see your shadow in my minds eye
I taste your tears as they gently
roll down my cheek and brush my lips.
I thank you Quan Yin for helping me live in
compassion~

Blessings to you Quan Yin~
Desiree

A special little creation for my friend Kevin in Canada!