Mindfulness Meditation · Three Jewels: Buddha
This week’s meditation session is led by Sharon Salzberg and the theme is Three Jewels: Buddha.
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
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 separates the Buddha from other enlightened beings is that he decided to teach and became the main source of the tradition. Narrative images in paintings are 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.
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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