The 31 Planes of Existence

The 31 Planes of Existence by Suvanno Mahathera describes the ancient Buddhist concepts of planes in the context of karma, rebirth, samsara and meditation and realization. The 31 planes, as described in the Suttas, are divided into three types of worlds: 1. Kama-Loka (the sensuous world) – 11 planes 2. Rupa-Loka (the world of form – [...]

Pure Land Buddhism – Dialogs with Ancient Masters

The core of Pure Land Buddhism and its teachings can be expressed in two major concepts: purity of mind and practice. Traditional Pure Land teachings emphasize the three elements of Faith, Vows and Practice (Buddha Recitation) as the essential conditions for rebirth in the Pure Land – in the Pure Mind. This approach is presented [...]

Meditation On Mind And Feeling

Mogok Sayadaw U Vimala was a renowned Theravada Buddhist monk and Vipassana meditation master. He enrolled as a novice monk at age 9 under Sayadaw U Jagara. In 1921, he was ordained as a bhikkhu with the dhamma name of Vimala. As his monkhood was sponsored by the residents of Mogok, a town well known for [...]

Causality and Emptiness – The Wisdom of Nagarjuna – by Peter Della Santina

All Buddhist schools have denied the existence of the self as an identical permanent substance. They have also universally rejected the notion of a supreme God. They have however accepted the reality of pre-existence and subsequent rebirth as well as the provisional efficiency of actions (Karma). Those who adhere to the doctrine of the self [...]

Mogok Sayadaw U Vimala biography

Mogok Sayadaw U Vimala (27 December 1899 – 17 October 1962) was a renowned Theravada Buddhist monk and vipassana meditation master from Burma. Sayadaw is known for his exposition of Paticcasamuppada (Dependent Origination), Samsara (endless rounds of rebirth) and the importance of practicing meditation and Vipassana. Millions of meditators Yogis world wide pursue Mogok Sayadaw’s Insight [...]

Scientific Acceptability of Rebirth

Scientific Acceptability of Rebirth is a Buddhist perspective on the scientific approach to incarnation and rebirth. Author Dr. Dharmawardena points out that the reason why classical science cannot explain rebirth is due to inherent limitations in classical science. Modern science has transcended these limitations, and therefore rebirth is within the scope of modern science. Modern [...]

Essential Themes of Buddhist Lectures

‘Essential Themes of Buddhist Lectures’ by Sayadaw U Thittilla is a huge collection of his expanded notes on talks on Buddhism. The book answers a number of questions about Buddhism, its history and different sects, such as Mahayana, Theravada and others. It also gives detailed explanations about rebirth, meditation and lots more. Download the 415 [...]

Buddhism in a nutshell

Here is a classic on the basics of Buddhism by Ven. Narada Thera. In its eleven chapter it explains: The Story of the Buddha; The Teachings (Dhamma) is it a philosophy? Is Buddhism a religion? Is Buddhism as Ethical system? Some salient features of Buddhism. Karma or the Law of Moral Causation. Rebirth. Dependent Arising [...]

Fundamentals of Buddhism by Dr. Peter D. Santina

This 136 pages work by Dr. Peter D. Santina covers the basic Buddhist teaching over a series of twelve lectures. Among them are the life of the Buddha, the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, Karma, rebirth, dependent origination, the three universal characteristics and finally the five aggregates. – Good introduction to the basics [...]