“May our actions benefit all beings.”
Ratnasambhava Buddha, "The Benevolent One," is associated with consciousness and the development of equanimity and equality. He promotes increasing knowledge of the Dharma. He is shown with his right hand positioned in the mudra of generosity and sharing. In his left hand He holds a jewel which represents Bodhichitta, the consciousness of enlightenment that strives toward awakening and compassion for the benefit of all sentient beings. This page contains our gifts of the Dharma to others.
“May the Whole Earth and all of its life forms grow in harmony and balance to achieve a bright and shining destiny. Particularly do we send forth loving thoughts to those in doubt and ignorance, to all who are striving to attain truth, and to those whose feet are standing close to the the great change we call death, we send forth oceans of Wisdom, Mercy and Love.”
-Prayer adapted from the Pure Land Tradition.
A committment to socially engaged Buddhism must be at the heart of the Vows of the Bodhisattvas. UPAYA Zen Center, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, has a long standing commitment to social service. The Center offers daily: Zen meditation, weekly dharma talks, and programs on Buddhist teachings, art, neuroscience, and social engagement. One of their current projects is to express the Bodhisattva's vow of compassion by committing to justice for all those detained at our borders. Although Karida Buddhist Sangha has no official connection to the Zen Center, their "Border Justice" project has caught our attention. Inspired by Upaya Zen Center, we invite Karida members and friends to go beyond just "thoughts and prayers," to learn about, and give a donation to the Fronterizo Fianza Fund. Karida Sangha has contributed $100 to the fund.
For thousands of years, as long as fires have been lit, people have used them to focus their hopes, compassion, and good thoughts for others. Is this out of place in a modern scientific world? Does the act do any good or is it just another example of misplaced attempts at magic? 
The lighting of a candle is a meditative way to engage in a mindfulness practice. Does this help? We think, “yes,” in that it is an expression of Kuan Yin’s ever expanding sphere of compassion. A wonderful organization, A Network for Grateful Living, has provided us with a great opportunity to light a candle in our digital world. As others see your candle, for a moment, they are touched by your own very unique meditation.These candles are amazing in that they can instantly be seen by millions throughout the word: they even burn down after a time! Use the internet Cyber Sangha to spread thoughts of compassion. It can't hurt. Enter the gate now to light a Candle.
The following sites are supported by sponsors who contribute a small amount to the specific charity for each day you “click” on the site. It costs you absolutely nothing to do this. Every click becomes significant when thousands do it every day.
The Hunger Site: one click feeds the hungry 1.1 cups of staple food. Click every day.
The Breast Cancer Site: one click helps to fund free mammograms.
The Animal Rescue Site: one click provides the value of .8 bowls of food and care to a rescued animal in a shelter or sanctuary.
Blofeld, John. Bodhisattva of Compassion:The Mystical Tradition of Kuan Yin. Shambhala, 2009. His classic study traces the history of the Bodhisattva from her origins in India (as the male figure Avalokiteshvara) to Tibet, China, and beyond, along the way highlighting her close connection to other figures such as Tara and Amitabha. The account is full of charming stories of Blofeld's encounters with Kuan Yin's devotees during his journeys in China. The book also contains meditation and visualization techniques associated with the Bodhisattva of Compassion, and translations of poems and yogic texts devoted to her.
Hanh, Thich Nhat. The Heart of Understanding: Commentaries on the Prajnaparamitta Heart Sutra. Parallax Press; 20th Anniversary Edition, 2009. Comprised of only 632 Chinese characters, the Heart Sutra, despite its brevity, covers more of the Buddha's teachings than any other scripture, and its influence is more profound and wide-reaching than any other text in Buddhism. Thich Nhat Hanh's translation and commentary is regarded as the most simple, clear, concise, and understandable available.
Macy, Joanna. World as Lover, World as Self. Berkeley, CA: Parallax Press,1991. Macy offers concrete suggestions for showing how each of us can change the attitudes that continue to threaten our environment. She describes how decades of ignoring the reality of the interconnectedness of all things in the world has resulted in a self-centeredness that has devastated the environment. Humans, Macy implores, must acknowledge and understand their connectedness to their world and begin to move toward a more focused effort to save it.