Mindfulness Meditation · Compassion
This week’s meditation session is led by Sharon Salzberg and the theme is Compassion. The guided meditation begins at 13:16.
Buddha Shakyamuni; Tibet; 14th century; Gilt copper alloy; 17 3/4 × 15 5/8 × 10 1/2 in.; Rubin Museum of Art; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2001.10.2
This sculpture of the Buddha shows him wearing a crown and monk’s robes. With the developments in Buddhist thought and practice during the Pala period (8th–12th century), images of the crowned Buddha became prominent in eastern India and across Asia. In Tibet this convention became known as Vajrasana Buddha, referring to the famous image at Vajrasana (present-day Bodhgaya, India) that commemorated the Buddha’s enlightenment.
The Buddha is seated with his right hand in the earth-touching gesture and the left hand in the meditation gesture. His broad face, with slightly downcast eyes, shows a faint smile. The crown and earrings are decorated with turquoise, and his monastic robe is engraved with designs. The Buddha’s face and body are painted with gold, while his hair is painted blue, a typical Tibetan convention.
Sharon Salzberg, Cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, has guided meditation retreats worldwide since 1974. Her latest books are Real Life: The Journey from Isolation to Openness and Freedom and Finding Your Way: Meditations, Thoughts, and Wisdom for Living an Authentic Life. She is a weekly columnist for On Being, a regular contributor to the Huffington Post, and the author of several other books, including the New York Times bestseller Real Happiness: The Power of Meditation, Real Change: Mindfulness to Heal Ourselves and the World, Faith: Trusting Your Own Deepest Experience, and Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness. Ms. Salzberg has been a regular participant in the Rubin’s many on-stage conversations and regards the Rubin as a supplemental office.
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