Buddhism Basics Information

A collection of articles covering the Basics of Buddhism as well as more advanced concepts and philosophies found in the different schools of Buddhism. You can learn about Buddhism, the Dharma and the monkhood here. These insights are from a Thai-born Theravada Buddhist (although I have studied other lineages of Buddhism as well, such as Zen and Tibetan lineages). These articles have been designed to make learning about Buddhism as easy as possible for you.

Buddha Poses and Postures: The Meanings of Buddha Statues

You should know what the meaning of a Buddha statue is BEFORE you buy it, shouldn't you? Learn what these most common Buddha poses symbolize.

Where To Place Your Buddha Statue

Do you have your Buddha statue in the right place? Or are you setting yourself up for bad Karma by having your statue in an inappropriate location?

Buddhism 101: An Introduction To Buddhism

Learning about Buddhism? Start here with an easy introduction to Buddhism and the Buddha.

How To Convert To Buddhism

Many people wonder how they can convert to Buddhism, and whether there are any "secret" initiations involved in it.

Who Was The Buddha? The Life of Prince Siddhartha

He was known as "The Awakened One" and also as "The One Who has Moved On." But why do so many people know so little about him?

What Is Dharma: Buddhist and Hindu Dharma

Dharma is an essential concept to Buddhism and Hinduism, but it is also one of the least understood.

What Is Nirvana? Probably Not What You Think It Is!

Nirvana is one of the most misunderstood concepts in Buddhism and Hinduism.

Can I Go To A Buddhist Temple If I Am Not A Buddhist?

You can visit a Buddhist temple even if you are NOT a Buddhist if you just follow this practical advice.

Is Buddhism A Philosophy Or A Religion?

Is Buddhism a religion? Or is is just merely a philosophy?

Should I Buy An Antique Buddha? Defintitely Not!!!

Buying an antique Buddha Statue might turn into a very unpleasant experience for you.

What The Buddha Looked Like

Not sure what the Buddha looked like? One thing you should know is he was NOT fat.

Great Buddhist Quotes For Daily Life

Some of the most profound, life changing thoughts can be so simple. These quotes from leading Buddhist teachers offer practical , everyday insight.

Quick Review: Kundun and Little Buddha

If you get the Ovation channel, you should look for the movies Kundun and The Little Buddha to be shown. Both movies give a glimpse into the world of Tibetan Buddhism. Kundun is directed by Martin Scorsese and is known as a biography of The Dalai Lama. In reality, it is more a biography of […]

Be Thankful For Our Mistakes

For one woman, learning from a past mistake or two was a springboard on her journey to a new life.

Compassion Is Its Own Reward

What can you do to make something you truly dislike doing (such as paying taxes) a little bit easier? It may sound strange, but this does help.

Vietnamese Temples In The USA

Find a Vietnamese Buddhist Temple near you in this list of Temples from across the USA. Includes GPS coordinates to help ensure you get there easily.

Buddhist Locket Or Bad Luck Charm?

What do you do when you get a Buddhist locket and immediately start having bad luck? Find out here…

Thai Temples In America: Wat Thai In The USA

A list of Thai Buddhist Temples in America, organized by state. Find a Thai temple near you.

Thai Buddhism: An Introduction

The Thai form of Buddhism is sometimes called Lankavamsa (meaning Singhalese or Sri Lankan lineage) because it was introduced to the 13th century Sukhothai Kingdom by monks from Sri Lanka, at the time that Sukhothai was the capital of what was to become modern Thailand. This form of Buddhism grew as the Sukhothai Kingdom expanded […]

Mudras: Sacred Hand Gestures In Buddhism and Hinduism

Did you know that the different hand gestures all have a deep meaning in Buddhist and Hindu art?

Who Is The Laughing Buddha?

What's the difference between the big Laughing Buddha and the "real" Buddha? Read here to find out why many people get them confused.

Swastikas In Buddhist Art

In Mahayana Buddhist art you will often see Swastika images, but these are not what you might think. They have a deeper meaning essential to Buddhism.

A Buddhist Glossary

Don't know your Dharma from your Karma? This Glossary of Buddhist terminology will help you better understand Buddhism, as it includes vocabulary from the Mahayana, Theravada, and Vajrayana lineages of Buddhism.

Do Buddha Amulets Work?

People often wonder if Buddhist pendants (known as amulets) actually work. Here's what we think…

Differences Between Buddhism and Hinduism

Buddhism and Hinduism have a common past, and while there are many similar beliefs between the two religions, there are just as many differences between the Buddhist and Hindu faiths.