Atisha Dipamkara

The Life of Atisha.

By Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, 1976.

Having a little bit of understanding of the life story of Atisha is very beneficial for our mind, so we can try to understand the teaching he wrote. By understanding Atisha’s life story and how he practiced Dharma and achieved realizations, devotion arises and we can feel that his teaching is most precious and pure.

Actually it is a very long life story, and it is divided into three parts. In order to have some idea about the great bodhisattva Atisha and how he benefited sentient beings, there are stories about his birth, his home, his birthplace and his early life. The stories explain how he achieved great knowledge and realizations with that holy body. Then after achieving the knowledge and realizations of the path, he benefited the teachings and helped sentient beings— he led the disciples and sentient beings to happiness. Continue reading »

Atisha Dipankara Shrijnana

Advice from Atisha’s Heart

When Venerable Atisha http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atisha came to Tibet he first went to Ngari, where he remained for two years giving many teachings to the disciples of Jangchub Ö.

After two years had passed he decided to return to India, and Jangchub Ö requested him to give one last teaching before he left.

Atisha replied that he had already given them all the advice they needed, but Jangchub Ö persisted in his request and so Atisha accepted and gave the following advice.

How wonderful!

Friends, since you already have great knowledge and clear understanding, whereas I am of no importance and have little wisdom, it is not suitable for you to request advice from me. However because you dear friends, whom I cherish from my heart, have requested me, I shall give you this essential advice from my inferior and childish mind. Continue reading »

Atisha Dipankara Shrijnana: Self is the root of negative actions.

Leveling Out All Conceptions

A Commentary on the “Leveling out all Conceptions”

Seeking refuge, I pay homage to the precious spiritual teacher Protector Serlingpa, and to the entire lineage of this master and his disciples. Pray, bless me!

Embodiment of wisdom and great compassion, the protector Serlingpa once said to Atisha. ‘O my son, if you wish to serve others in these degenerate times, you must distill the sacred words of all three collections of discourses, scriptures, and reasonings, as well as all the heartwood instructions of the spiritual teachers, and practice them in one sitting. To accomplish this you need the teachings I shall now give you, teachings that will make you invulnerable to sickness, harm, interference from obstructive forces, demons, or upholders of false teachings, and any other adverse conditions and impediments.’ Then, he taught the following:

Level out all preconceptions,
Bring forth the force of all antidotes,
Cultivate the aspiration that embodies all wishes,
And seek the path where all paths converge.
These are the antidotes, the four enlightened factors. Continue reading »

Atisha Dipankara Shrijnana: When giving advice or instructions, do so with compassion and goodwill.

The Jewel Rosary of the Bodhisattvas by Atisha Dipamkara

In the language of India: Bodhisattvamaṇyāvalī
In the language of Tibet: byang chub sems dpa’i nor bu’i phreng ba
In the English language: The Jewel Rosary of the Bodhisattvas

Homage to great compassion!
Homage to the masters!
Homage to the deities who inspire devotion!

Put aside all doubt and hesitation,
And take delight in earnest practice,
Abandon entirely lethargy, dullness and laziness,
And exert yourself constantly with enthusiasm.

With mindfulness, vigilance and carefulness,
Guard the doors of your senses at all times.
Again and again, thrice by day and by night,
Examine the continuum of your mind. Continue reading »

Atisha

The Bodhisattva’s Jewel Malaa
A Bodhisattva’s Garland of Gems
by Lama Atisha

1 Abandon all doubt,

And earnestly apply yourself to practice.

Abandon laziness, dullness and drowsiness,
And always cultivate joyous effort.
5 With mindfulness, alertness and conscientiousness
Protect the doors of the senses at all times.

During the three times of day and night
Check your mental continuum again and again

Proclaim your own faults,
10 But do not look for the mistakes of others.

Hide your own good qualities,
But proclaim the good qualities of others.

Abandon wealth and honors,
And reject profit and reputation always. Continue reading »

Atiśa Dīpaṃkara

The Bodhisattva’s Garland of Jewels
by Atiśa Dīpaṃkara

In the language of India: Bodhisattvamaṇyāvalī
In the language of Tibet: changchub sempé norbü trengwa
In the English language: The Bodhisattva’s Garland of Jewels

Homage to great compassion!
Homage to the deities who inspire faith and devotion!
Homage to the masters!

Be done with doubt and indecision,
And embrace your practice with all your heart.
Shake off lethargy, dullness and laziness,
And strive always with enthusiasm and joy.

Mindful, vigilant and careful,
Guard the doorways of your senses at every moment.
Three times each day, three times at night,
Again and again, examine your thoughts. Continue reading »

Atiśa Dīpaṃkara Srījñāna: The best friends are mindfulness and awareness.

Khutön Tsöndrü Yungdrung, Ngok Lekpé Sherab, and Dromtön Gyalwé Jungné asked Ārya Atiśa:

What are the best aspects of the path?

Ārya Atiśa responded:

1. The best knowledge is the realization of selflessness.
2. The best virtue is a tamed mind.
3. The best quality is to have great altruistic concern.
4. The best instruction is always to observe one’s mind.
5. The best antidote is the knowledge that nothing truly exists.
6. The best conduct is nonconformity with worldly concerns.
7. The best accomplishment is a reduction of negative emotions.
8. The best sign of accomplishment is a lessening of desire.
9. The best form of generosity is non-attachment.
10. The best discipline is pacifying one’s mind.
11. The best form of patience is humility.
12. The best diligence is the giving up of action.
13. The best meditation is an uncontrived mind.
14. The best wisdom is to let go of the ego.
15. The best teacher is one who attacks your hidden faults.

Continue reading »

Atisha: Take these words to heart: they are spoken sincerely and so are worthy of attention.
If you do so, you will bring joy to me, and happiness to yourself and others too.

When Lord Atiśa first went to Ngari, he stayed for two years and, while there, granted a wealth of teachings to Lha Changchub Ö and others. He then thought to return to India, and as he prepared to depart, Lha Changchup Ö requested him to give a final piece of advice. Lord Atiśa replied that what he had taught in the past was enough, but Lha insisted, pleading with him, and so Lord Atiśa imparted these words of advice.

How wondrous! Dear friends of high knowledge and pure, noble intent,
Though I, a trifling and unintelligent man, am unfit to give you advice,
Precious supreme friends, more dear than my heart itself, you entreat me thus,
And so I, this foolish little man, offer these thoughts to your noble minds.

Friends, until you reach awakening you need a guru, so follow a sublime spiritual friend.
Until you realize the natural state you need to receive teachings, so listen to the guru’s instructions.
You won’t become buddhas through mere knowledge of the Dharma. Knowledge is not enough; you must practice!
Avoid places that disturb your mind, and always stay in places that enhance virtue.

Until you gain stability, hustle and bustle is detrimental, so hold fast to isolated forest retreats.
Avoid companions who stir up the afflictions; keep company with those who encourage virtue, and cherish them.
Work and tasks will never end, so put projects aside and be still.
Dedicate all your virtue, day and night, and keep constant guard over your mind. Continue reading »

Geshe Ngawang Dhargyey: The Life of Atisha

Continue reading »