Mindfulness Meditation · Gratitude
This week’s meditation session is led by Rebecca Li and the theme is Gratitude. The guided meditation begins at 17:50.
Vasudhara, Goddess of Abundance; Nepal; 17th century; Gilt copper alloy; 7 7/16 × 7 1/2 × 5 1/8 in.; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2007.27.2
Vasudhara, a Buddhist goddess of wealth and harvest, is closely linked with Jambhala, another important god of wealth. Vasudhara has many forms and is also depicted as the consort of Jambhala.
Sitting in the lalitasana. or pose of royal ease, Vasudhara is a goddess associated with autumn in the Kathmandu Valley. Her name means “shower of wealth” and is worshiped after the rice harvest. Her lower right hand is open with her palm facing forward in a gesture of offering while her middle left hand holds a rice stalk. After the rice is harvested, her image is placed upon piles of rice stalks as a means of expressing gratitude for the abundance of the season. Her body appears yellow much like rice stalks, with yellow also being the color of generosity as well.
Dr. Rebecca Li, a dharma heir in the lineage of Chan Master Sheng Yen, is the founder and guiding teacher of Chan Dharma Community. She teaches meditation and dharma classes, gives public lectures, and leads retreats in North America and Europe. Li is the author of Allow Joy into Our Hearts: Chan Practice in Uncertain Times, and her book Illumination: A Guide to the Buddhist Method of No-Method was published by Shambhala Publications in 2023. She is a sociology professor and lives with her husband in New Jersey.
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