Buddhism Basics

The Chief Monk leads the Sangha with experience and integrity, guiding both monastics and laypeople on the Buddhist path.

A Dharma Master is a guide who lives the Buddhist teachings, offering wisdom and clarity to those seeking the path.

Mahāyāna Buddhism, the “Great Vehicle,” emphasizes compassion and collective awakening, offering a path of wisdom and universal liberation.

The Brahmaviharas are four awakened heart qualities—love, compassion, joy, and equanimity—guiding us toward inner peace and true connection.

The lotus in Buddhism symbolizes the journey from struggle to awakening, reflecting beauty rising from mud and the heart of spiritual growth.

A mala is more than beads—it’s a meditation tool that calms the mind, deepens focus, and supports spiritual practice bead by bead.

The Supreme Patriarch is the highest monastic leader, symbolizing moral clarity and guiding Buddhist communities with wisdom and peace.

Vairocana Buddha embodies universal truth and wisdom, radiating clarity and compassion as the luminous center of Buddhist thought and art.

Buddhism teaches that suffering stems from Avidyā—deep ignorance that blinds us to reality and traps us in harmful patterns.

Dharma in Buddhism reveals life’s truth and path, guiding us to clarity, compassion, and freedom from suffering in everyday living.