Hi all,

Happy Equinox, and happy Spring or Fall, depending on where you are in the world. This time of year is a great time to recommit to a meditation practice. To that end, one of my latest articles is on Buddhist Mantras, including an mp3 of Tibetan monks chanting Om:

Buddhist Mantras
Buddhist mantras - sounds or words repeated aloud or silently - are an important part of meditation practice in some Buddhist schools. This article lists some common mantras and their meanings, and includes a sampling of monks chanting one.
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art31634.asp

March 12th is also the annually celebrated Tibetan Women' Uprising Day, please read this article for more information about the historical events that led to the creation of this day:

Tibetan Women's Uprising Day
This week marks the anniversary of the Tibetan uprising against Chinese occupation, which led to the Dalai Lama's escape. March 12th is a special day set aside by the Tibetan Women's Association to honor the Tibetan women that participated in this historic event.
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art34034.asp

There have been many wonderful threads generated in the forum recently, please check in there. In addition, I offered a mini review of the movie 'Happy' which you may be interested in, as it features many Buddhist themes:

http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/812814#Post812814

In closing, here is a passage from The Diamond Sutra, which I am currently re-reading, and may do another article on soon:

"'Subhuti, someone might fill innumerable worlds with the seven treasures and give all away in gifts of alms, but if any good man or any good woman awakens the thought of Enlightenment and takes even only four lines from this Discourse, reciting, using, receiving, retaining and spreading them abroad and explaining them for the benefit of others, it will be far more meritorious. Now in what manner may he explain them to others? By detachment from appearances-abiding in Real Truth.
So I tell you - Thus shall you think of all this fleeting world: A star at dawn, a bubble in a stream; A flash of lightening in a summer cloud, A flickering lamp, a phantom, and a dream.'
When Buddha finished this Discourse the venerable Subhuti, together with the bhikshus, bhikshunis, lay-brothers and sisters, and the whole realms of Gods, Men and Titans, were filled with joy by His teaching, and, taking it sincerely to heart they went their ways."

In Peace,

Lisa Erickson, Buddhism Editor
http://buddhism.bellaonline.com

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