Theme: Three Jewels: Buddha
This thangka portrays the historical Buddha Shakyamuni, the first of the Three Jewels, surrounded by scenes from his life story. Though Buddhism acknowledges the potential for others to reach enlightenment without the Buddhist path, what seperates Buddha from other enlightened beings is that he decided to teach becoming the main source of the tradition. Narrative images in paintings is common throughout the Himalayas as they are often used to tell the life story of the Buddha by laying out the basic tenets of the religion.
Image Credit: The Enlightened One, Lord of Shakya Clan, Shakyamuni Buddha (detail), Tibet; 18th century; pigments on cotton; Rubin Museum of Art, Gift of Shelley and Donald Rubin, C2006.66.222 (HAR 275)
Mindfulness Meditation Series
Himalayan practitioners have, for centuries, used meditation to quiet the mind, open the heart, calm the nervous system, and increase one’s ability to focus. Now, western scientists, business leaders, and the secular world have embraced meditation as a vital tool for brain health. Learn more
Presented in partnership withSharon Salzberg, theNew York Insight Meditation Center, andthe Interdependence Project.
About the Speaker
“Each of us has a genuine capacity for love, forgiveness, wisdom and compassion. Meditation awakens these qualities so that we can discover for ourselves the unique happiness that is our birthright.”
–Sharon Salzberg
Sharon Salzberg, cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, has been a student of meditation since 1971, and guiding meditation retreats worldwide since 1974. Sharon’s latest book is Real Happiness At Work: Meditations for Accomplishment, Achievement, and Peace. She is weekly columnist forOn being, a regular contributor to The Huffington Post and is also the author of several other books including the New York Timesbest-seller, Real Happiness: The Power of Meditation: A 28-Day Program, Love Your Enemies, Faith: Trusting Your Own Deepest Experience, and Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness.Sharon has been a regular participant in the Rubin’s many on-stage conversations. This is her first formal meditation session at the museum. For more information, please visit SharonSalzberg.com