Bija Mantra: A "seed" mantra from which realization grows as a tree from a seed; usually a single-syllable mantra that is called "seed" because of its small size as a dot or point of sound.

(See also: Bija Mantra, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

See also:

Mantra, Mantra - Introduction, Mantra - Mantra in Hinduism, Mantra - Mantra Japa, Mantra - Some Hindu mantras, Mantra - Lead me from Ignorance to Truth, Mantra - Hare Krishna Maha Mantra, Mantra - The shanti mantras, Mantra - Universal prayer, Mantra - Other examples, Mantra - The Hindu Bija Mantra, Mantra - Remarks, Mantra - What is Dharma?, Mantra - The Significance of the Symbol Om, Mantra - Mantras and Prayers, Mantra - Kirtan and Bhajan, Mantra - Vedic Conception of Sound, Mantra - Mantra in Buddhism, Mantra - Mantra in Shingon Buddhism, Mantra - Mantra in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism, Mantra - Om mani padme hum, Mantra - Some other mantras used by Tibetan Buddhists, Mantra - Mantra in other traditions or contexts

Read more here: » Mantra: Encyclopedia II - Mantra - Mantra in Hinduism

Conze distinguishes three periods in the Buddhist use of mantra. Initially, like their fellow Indians, Buddhists used mantra as protective spells to ward of malign influences. Despite a Vinaya rule which forbids monks engaging in the Brahminical practice of chanting mantras for material gain, there are a number of protective for a group of ascetic monks. However, even at this early stage, there is perhaps something more than animistic magic at work. Particularly in the case of the Ratana Sutta the efficacy of the verses seems to be related to the concept of "truth". Each verse of the sutta ends ...

See also:

Mantra, Mantra - Introduction, Mantra - Mantra in Hinduism, Mantra - Mantra Japa, Mantra - Some Hindu mantras, Mantra - Lead me from Ignorance to Truth, Mantra - Hare Krishna Maha Mantra, Mantra - The shanti mantras, Mantra - Universal prayer, Mantra - Other examples, Mantra - The Hindu Bija Mantra, Mantra - Remarks, Mantra - What is Dharma?, Mantra - The Significance of the Symbol Om, Mantra - Mantras and Prayers, Mantra - Kirtan and Bhajan, Mantra - Vedic Conception of Sound, Mantra - Mantra in Buddhism, Mantra - Mantra in Shingon Buddhism, Mantra - Mantra in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism, Mantra - Om mani padme hum, Mantra - Some other mantras used by Tibetan Buddhists, Mantra - Mantra in other traditions or contexts

Read more here: » Mantra: Encyclopedia II - Mantra - Mantra in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism

A mantra is a religious syllable or poem, typically from the Sanskrit language. Their use varies according to the school and philosophy associated with the mantra. They are primarily used as spiritual conduits, words and vibrations that instill one-pointed concentration in the devotee. Other purposes have included religious ceremonies to accumulate wealth, avoid danger, or eliminate enemies. Mantras originated in India with Vedic Hinduism and were later adopted by Buddhists and Jains, now popular in various modern forms of spiritual practice which are loosely b ...

Including:

• Mantra - Introduction
• Mantra - Mantra in Hinduism
• Mantra - Mantra Japa
• Mantra - Some Hindu mantras
• Mantra - Lead me from Ignorance to Truth
• Mantra - Hare Krishna Maha Mantra
• Mantra - The shanti mantras
• Mantra - Universal prayer
• Mantra - Other examples
• Mantra - The Hindu Bija Mantra
• Mantra - Remarks
• Mantra - What is Dharma?
• Mantra - The Significance of the Symbol Om
• Mantra - Mantras and Prayers
• Mantra - Kirtan and Bhajan
• Mantra - Vedic Conception of Sound
• Mantra - Mantra in Buddhism
• Mantra - Mantra in Shingon Buddhism
• Mantra - Mantra in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism
• Mantra - Om mani padme hum
• Mantra - Some other mantras used by Tibetan Buddhists
• Mantra - Mantra in other traditions or contexts

Read more here: » Mantra: Encyclopedia - Mantra

Vasanta Navaratri

THE DIVINE MOTHER or Devi is worshipped during the Vasanta Navaratri. This occurs during the spring. She is worshipped by Her own command. You will find this in the following episode in the Devi Bhagavata.

From Hindu Fasts & Festivals by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Vasanta Navaratri: Worship in Hinduism - Vasanta Navaratri

Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most popular of Hindu festivals. This is the birthday of Lord Ganesha. It is the day most sacred to Lord Ganesha. It falls on the 4th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada (August-September). It is observed throughout India, as well as by devoted Hindus in all parts of the world.

From Hindu Fasts & Festivals by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Ganesh Chaturthi: Hindu Festivals - Ganesh Chaturthi

Prana - Secrets of the Five Pranas

To change something we must alter the energy which creates it. This fact is true in the practice of Yoga. To bring about positive changes in body and mind we must understand the energy through which they work. This is called Prana in Sanskrit, meaning primary energy. It is sometimes translated as breath or vital force, though it is more than these.

Read more here: » Prana: Secrets of the Five Pranas

Aum (also Om, ॐ) is the most sacred syllable in Hinduism, first coming to light in the Vedic Tradition. The syllable is sometimes referred to as the "Udgitha" or "pranava mantra" (primordial mantra); not only because it is considered to be the primal sound, but also because most mantras begin with it. As a seed syllable (bija), it is also considered holy in Esoteric Buddhism. In Devanagari it is written ॐ (Unicode U+0950) and in Tibetan script ༀ (Unicode U+0F00). Aum - The ...

Including:

• Aum - The Significance of the Symbol Om
• Aum - Aum in Hindu tradition
• Aum - Origin
• Aum - Philosophy of AUM
• Aum - Om in Jain tradition
• Aum - Om in Buddhist tradition
• Aum - Om in Sikh tradition
• Aum - When you pronounce AUM:
• Aum - Some quotations from Hindu scriptures regarding AUM
• Aum - Other traditions interpretations and understandings

Read more here: » Aum: Encyclopedia - Aum

In Hinduism and Buddhism, the Sanskrit term bīja (Jp. 種子 shushi), literally seed, is used as a metaphor for the origin or cause of things. The metaphor is considerably extended in the Consciousness-only teachings of the Yogacara school of Buddhism. According to this theory, all experiences and actions produce bija as impressions, stored in the alaya (storehouse) consciousness. The external world is produced when the seeds "perfume" this consciousness. This view of bija has been equated to memes, with the theory itself positing an extreme form of memetics (ie. real ...

Read more here: » Bija: Encyclopedia - Bija

Please remove this notice after the article has been expanded. Details are on this talk page or at Wikipedia:Requests for expansion. For the Goa trance artist, see Shakta (band). Shaktism is a denomination of Hinduism that worships Shakti, or Devi Mata -- the Hindu name for the Great Divine Mother -- in all of her forms whilst not rejecting the importance of masculine and neuter divinity (which are however deemed to be inactive in the absence of the Shakti). In pure Shaktism, the Great ...

Including:

• Shaktism - Philosophy
• Shaktism - Origin and History
• Shaktism - Roots in Hinduism
• Shaktism - Worship
• Shaktism - Shakta Upanishads
• Shaktism - See Also

Read more here: » Shaktism: Encyclopedia - Shaktism

Sahasrara Ajna Vishuddha Anahata Manipura Swadhisthana Muladhara Bindu Vishuddha is the fifth primary chakra according to the Hindu Tantric tradition (Shakta). Vishuddha - Associations. Vishuddha is positioned at the neck region and it has sixteen petals corresponded to the Sanskrit vowels. Vishuddha is associated with the faculty of higher discrimination, between choosing what is right and wrong, and it is associated with creativity a ...

Including:

• Vishuddha - Associations
• Vishuddha - Practices
• Vishuddha - Other Associations
• Vishuddha - Alternative names
• Vishuddha - External link

Read more here: » Vishuddha: Encyclopedia - Vishuddha

With Buddhism's evolution and breaking away from Vedic/Hindu tradition, Aum and other symbology/cosmology/philosophies were co-opted from the Hindu tradition. This character often appeared as "唵" in Buddhist scripts in East Asia. In Buddhism this syllable is almost never transliterated as Aum, but instead as Om. This syllable is also incorporated in the mantra "Om Mani Padme Hum". ...

See also:

Aum, Aum - The Significance of the Symbol Om, Aum - Aum in Hindu tradition, Aum - Origin, Aum - Philosophy of AUM, Aum - Om in Jain tradition, Aum - Om in Buddhist tradition, Aum - Om in Sikh tradition, Aum - When you pronounce AUM:, Aum - Some quotations from Hindu scriptures regarding AUM, Aum - Other traditions interpretations and understandings

Read more here: » Aum: Encyclopedia II - Aum - Om in Buddhist tradition

With Buddhism's evolution and breaking away from Vedic/Hindu tradition, Aum and other symbology/cosmology/philosophies were co-opted from the Hindu tradition. This character often appeared as "唵" in Buddhist scripts in East Asia. In Buddhism this syllable is almost never transliterated as Aum, but instead as Om. This syllable is also incorporated in the mantra "Om Mani Padme Hum". ...

See also:

Aum, Aum - The Significance of the Symbol Om, Aum - Aum in Hindu tradition, Aum - Origin, Aum - Philosophy of AUM, Aum - Om in Jain tradition, Aum - Om in Buddhist tradition, Aum - Om in Sikh tradition, Aum - When you pronounce AUM:, Aum - Omkara, Aum - Some quotations from Hindu scriptures regarding AUM, Aum - Other traditions interpretations and understandings

Read more here: » Aum: Encyclopedia II - Aum - Om in Buddhist tradition

In Jainism, Om is regarded to be a condensed form of reference to the five parameshthis. The Dravyasamgrah quotes an ancient Prakrit line: ओम एकाक्षर पञ्चपरमेष्ठिनामादिपम् तत्कथमिति चेत "अरिहंता असरीरा आयरिया तह उवज्झाया मुणियां", "om" one akshara, is made from the initials of the five parameshthis. It has been said: "Arihanta, Ashiri (i.e. siddha), Acharya, Upadhyaya, Munis(sadhus)" Thus ओं नमः (om na ...

See also:

Aum, Aum - The Significance of the Symbol Om, Aum - Aum in Hindu tradition, Aum - Origin, Aum - Philosophy of AUM, Aum - Om in Jain tradition, Aum - Om in Buddhist tradition, Aum - Om in Sikh tradition, Aum - When you pronounce AUM:, Aum - Some quotations from Hindu scriptures regarding AUM, Aum - Other traditions interpretations and understandings

Read more here: » Aum: Encyclopedia II - Aum - Om in Jain tradition

In Jainism, Om is regarded to be a condensed form of reference to the five parameshthis. The Dravyasamgrah quotes an ancient Prakrit line: ओम एकाक्षर पञ्चपरमेष्ठिनामादिपम् तत्कथमिति चेत "अरिहंता असरीरा आयरिया तह उवज्झाया मुणियां", "om" one akshara, is made from the initials of the five parameshthis. It has been said: "Arihanta, Ashiri (i.e. siddha), Acharya, Upadhyaya, Munis(sadhus)" Thus ओं नमः (om na ...

See also:

Aum, Aum - The Significance of the Symbol Om, Aum - Aum in Hindu tradition, Aum - Origin, Aum - Philosophy of AUM, Aum - Om in Jain tradition, Aum - Om in Buddhist tradition, Aum - Om in Sikh tradition, Aum - When you pronounce AUM:, Aum - Omkara, Aum - Some quotations from Hindu scriptures regarding AUM, Aum - Other traditions interpretations and understandings

Read more here: » Aum: Encyclopedia II - Aum - Om in Jain tradition

Ek Onkar (also ੴ, ਇਕ ਓਅੰਕਾਰ, Ik Ōaṅkār, Ek Omkar, Ik Omkar and other variants) means one God and is a central symbol of the unity of God in Sikhism, and is commonly found on Gurdwaras. Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion, used the Hindu Vedantic idea of Om: the most sacred syllable in Hinduism. Ek Onkar is a combination of three letters: Ek - one, OmSee also:

Aum, Aum - The Significance of the Symbol Om, Aum - Aum in Hindu tradition, Aum - Origin, Aum - Philosophy of AUM, Aum - Om in Jain tradition, Aum - Om in Buddhist tradition, Aum - Om in Sikh tradition, Aum - When you pronounce AUM:, Aum - Some quotations from Hindu scriptures regarding AUM, Aum - Other traditions interpretations and understandings

Read more here: » Aum: Encyclopedia II - Aum - Om in Sikh tradition

Ek Onkar (also ੴ, ਇਕ ਓਅੰਕਾਰ, Ik Ōaṅkār, Ek Omkar, Ik Omkar and other variants) means one God and is a central symbol of the unity of God in Sikhism, and is commonly found on Gurdwaras. Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion, used the Hindu Vedantic idea of Om: the most sacred syllable in Hinduism. Ek Onkar is a combination of three letters: Ek - one, Om - the sacred letter for God, and t ...

See also:

Aum, Aum - The Significance of the Symbol Om, Aum - Aum in Hindu tradition, Aum - Origin, Aum - Philosophy of AUM, Aum - Om in Jain tradition, Aum - Om in Buddhist tradition, Aum - Om in Sikh tradition, Aum - When you pronounce AUM:, Aum - Omkara, Aum - Some quotations from Hindu scriptures regarding AUM, Aum - Other traditions interpretations and understandings

Read more here: » Aum: Encyclopedia II - Aum - Om in Sikh tradition

Among the manifestations of Devi most favoured for worship by Shaktas are Kali, Durga, and Parvati. Durga is an epithet of Mahadevi, or "Great Goddess," who is celebrated in the Devi Mahatmya. Kali is the goddess of destruction and transformation, as well as the devourer of time, as her name implies (kala means "time," and also means "black"). Parvati is the gentle wife of Shiva, one of the most popular gods of modern Hinduism, and is strongly assoc ...

See also:

Shaktism, Shaktism - Philosophy, Shaktism - Origin and History, Shaktism - Roots in Hinduism, Shaktism - Worship, Shaktism - Shakta Upanishads, Shaktism - See Also

Read more here: » Shaktism: Encyclopedia II - Shaktism - Worship

Vishuddha is positioned at the neck region and it has sixteen petals corresponded to the Sanskrit vowels. Vishuddha is associated with the faculty of higher discrimination, between choosing what is right and wrong, and it is associated with creativity and self-expression. It is known as the 'poison and nectar' centre, closely related to the Bindu chakra, and the secret of immortality is said to reside here. When vishuddha is closed, we undergo decay and death. When it is open, negative experience is transformed into wisdom and learning. It is associated with the deities Ambara, Sadashiv ...

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Vishuddha, Vishuddha - Associations, Vishuddha - Practices, Vishuddha - Other Associations, Vishuddha - Alternative names, Vishuddha - External link

Read more here: » Vishuddha: Encyclopedia II - Vishuddha - Associations

Shakti Wicca seeks to make a synergistic combination of the Hindu and Wiccan spiritualities, providing a structure that is familiar and accessable to Westerners. Shakti Wicca is a new, self-initatory tradition of Wicca that draws most of its spiritual inspiration from the Hindu tradition, in the same manner that other Wiccan traditions draw the bulk of their inspiration from Celtic, Norse, Greek, Roman, Egyptian or other spiritual cultures. It is considered an eclectic tradition, despite its focus on the Hindu pantheon and spiritual philosop ...

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Shakti Wicca, Shakti Wicca - What is Shakti Wicca, Shakti Wicca - Elements Unique to Shakti Wicca:, Shakti Wicca - The Shakti Wiccan Training Scheme

Read more here: » Shakti Wicca: Encyclopedia II - Shakti Wicca - What is Shakti Wicca