Mindfulness Meditation · Care
This week’s meditation session is led by Sharon Salzberg and the theme is Care. The guided meditation begins at 13:21.
Medicine Buddha Abhijnaraja; Ladakh; 14th century; Pigments on cloth; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2004.11.1
This small painting most likely comes from Ladakh in the western Himalayas, where a number of monuments are decorated with similar naive paintings. This red buddha with his left hand in the gesture of giving is one of the Eight Medicine Buddhas, most likely Abhijnaraja, who occupies the northeastern direction in the mandala. Not only do the figure’s color and gesture conform to the representation of Abhijnaraja, but many of the other figures shown in this painting are associated with the northeast. The buddha is flanked by two white bodhisattvas, one holding a vase, the other a lotus. In the bottom row from left to right are the directional guardians Yaksha and Ishana, the earth goddess, and the Four Great Kings. In the top corners are Maitreya and an Indian scholar.
Sharon Salzberg is a meditation pioneer, world-renowned teacher, and New York Times bestselling author. She was among the first to bring mindfulness and lovingkindness meditation to mainstream American culture over 50 years ago, inspiring generations of meditation teachers and wellness influencers. Sharon is cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA, and the author of 14 books, including the New York Times bestseller Real Happiness, now in its second edition, and her seminal work, Lovingkindness. Sharon’s podcast, The Metta Hour, has amassed eight million downloads and features interviews with thought leaders from the mindfulness movement and beyond.
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