Mindfulness Meditation · Discovering
This week’s meditation session is led by Sharon Salzberg and the theme is Discovering.
Indian Master Shantarakshita (active 8th century) and Scenes from his Life; Tibet; 19th century; Pigments on cloth; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, From the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Warren Wilds; C2007.22.1
This painting depicts the great Indian monk Shantarakshita. He was invited to Tibet in the eighth century by King Tri Songdetsen to ordain the first Tibetan Buddhist monks and establish central Tibet’s first monastery, Samye. But upon arrival, Shantarakshita discovered that many of Tibet’s indigenous deities wanted to stop Buddhism, and he did not have the necessary powers to deal with these spirits. He suggested to the king that only Padmasambhava could subdue the demons. With time, these three figures—Tri Songdetsen, Shantarakshita, and Padmasambhava—came to represent the ideal triptych of practitioners—the patron, the monk, and the tantric yogi—that support the Vajrayana Buddhist system.
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.
Get the latest news and stories from the Rubin, plus occasional information on how to support our work.