Mindfulness Meditation · Generosity
This week’s meditation session is led by Dr. Chok Tenzin Monlam and the theme is Generosity. The guided meditation begins at 09:23.
Buddha Ratnasambhava with Wealth Deities; Tibet; early to mid-14th century; Mineral pigments on cloth; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2005.16.39
Ratnasambhava is one of the Buddhas of the Five Families. Each buddha is associated with a cardinal direction, with Ratnasambhava presiding over the southern direction. You can discover more about the Buddhas of the Five Families through the Rubin’s Mandala Lab.
Ratnasambhava embodies the spirit of giving, as evidenced by his right hand in the mudra of supreme generosity. When we transcend ego-centered giving it leads to the wisdom of equanimity. Ratnasambhava’s identifying characteristics include his yellow color and his horse vehicle, which is shown peeking out from either side of his lotus throne.
This thangka, dating from the early to mid-14th century, is an example of an early Tibetan painting. Works from this time period are hierarchical in nature, with each figure portrayed in a size that reflects its relative importance. Since Ratnasambhava is the subject of this painting, he is the most prominently featured. The word ratna means “jewel” and the richly-adorned Ratnasambhava is affiliated with the jewel family. Five forms of the wealth deity, Jambhala are shown along the bottom of the painting.
Meditation master Dr. Chok Tenzin Monlam has dedicated his career to amplifying Tibetan Buddhist cultures and language in modern society. Ordained by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, he practiced as a Tibetan monk for 10 years and has obtained multiple degrees in Buddhist and Tibetan studies, including his PhD from the University of Delhi. Dr. Chok also has decades of training in Tibetan yoga, healing, and meditation under the direction of many renowned Tibetan teachers of the major and minor Tibetan Buddhist traditions.
An author, translator, and language instructor, Dr. Chok served as the head of the research and translation department at the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives in Dharamsala for 13 years before relocating to the United States in 2019. Dr. Chok has taught prolifically in India, the United States, and virtually to students all over the globe, offering diverse and inclusive teachings on meditation, Tibetan yoga, healing, Buddhist philosophy, and Tibetan language. He has written and translated more than 38 books and numerous articles into English and Tibetan.
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