Mindfulness Meditation · Ritual
This week’s meditation session is led by Rebecca Li and the theme is Ritual. The guided meditation begins at 15:33.
Mahakala, Legden, Excellent One; Tibet; 15th century; Gilt copper alloy with inlays of semiprecious stones; 13 1/2 × 7 3/4 × 5 5/8 in.; Rubin Museum of Art; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2003.10.3
The iconography of this Mahakala is drawn from the Nyingma tradition— the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The sculpture is associated with the hidden treasure (terma) teachings. It is engraved with auspicious symbols and motifs of vajras, lotuses, clouds, and phoenixes, and is inlaid with quartz- crystal and lapis lazuli.
Mahakala’s appearance is ferocious—emphasized by his blazing hair that stands on end. Although Mahakala is portrayed as fierce, his role is that of guardian, protecting practitioners from negative forces and destroying obstacles on the path to enlightenment.
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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