The essence of Buddhist Prayers is the fact that our thoughts can directly influence and help the other sentient beings. Buddhist prayers are a way to express good wishes as Buddhism is based on a non-theistic tradition. The word for prayer in Tibetan is ‘Mantra’ meaning an intention that is focused.

The prayer books that Buddhists use as guides are called Sadhanas. ‘Sadhana’ means the method of attainment.

Buddhism is based on a very practical philosophy. Like everything else, Prayers also have a very practical purpose of transforming one’s neutral or negative state into a positive state of being. Prayers aim at increasing the positivities in life including compassion, love and wisdom. In Buddhism, meditation is silently practiced while prayers are chanted aloud.

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Tibetan Monasteries

The foundation of Buddhism in Tibet lies in the practice of monasticism. Around six thousand monasteries existed in Tibet of which nearly all were destroyed by Chinese communists during the Cultural Revolution. Most major monasteries have been re-established, although partially but many remain in ruins to date.

In Mongolia, out of the total male population one third was monks during the 1920s decade; most of who lived outside the monasteries. At the onset of the 20th century, more than 750 monasteries functioned in Mongolia, which were again ruined during the communist rule and later re-established when Buddhism was revived in Mongolia, after the fall of Communism.

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As humans we love stories, especially those which make us believe in happy endings. And so to achieve these happy endings, this nirvana, this epitome of satisfaction the human mind strives to create an environment which would ensure the ending we so desire. And this is how rituals are born. And over time, the stories behind the rituals are lost and they become part of our daily life.

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The institutions and religious doctrine of Buddhists, which is a characteristic of Tibet and places like Nepal, Bhutan and Ladakh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh of India and certain regions in the Himalayas forms Tibetan Buddhism. People practicing Tibetan Buddhism are also observed in certain parts of Russia like Tuva, Buryatia and Kalmykia, in countries like Mongolia and Northeastern China.

It is basically divided into four traditions namely, Nyingma, Kagyu, Gelug and Sakya. These schools include the teachings of the three Buddhism vehicles that are the foundational vehicle, the Mahayana and the Vajrayana. In Gelug, however, Vajrayana is considered to be a part of Mahayana.

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Welcome to Tibetan Singing. This is the first kick off post.