Advice from Atisha

Famous Indian Buddhist Teacher, Atisha (AD 982–1054); Author of Lamp for the Path, which is the first text on Lamrim (the stages of the path to enlightenment).

Atisha was Abbot of the great Buddhist monastery of Vikramashila at a time when Mahayana Buddhism in India was flourishing. He was invited to the country of Tibet, and his presence there led to the re-establishment of Buddhism in Tibet.

His tradition became known as the “Kadampa Tradition.”

Atisha’s advice…

This is just some of the advice given by Atisha, as written in The New Meditation Handbook, by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

Friends, the things you desire, give no more satisfaction than drinking sea water, therefore practise contentment

You will have to depart leaving everything behind, so do not be attached to anything

Generate compassion for lowly beings, and especially avoid despising or humiliating them

Do not be jealous of others’ good qualities, but out of admiration adopt them yourself

Do not look for faults in others, but look for faults in yourself, and purge them like bad blood

Do not contemplate your own good qualities, but contemplate the good qualities of others, and respect everyone as a servant would

If you talk too much with little meaning, you will make mistakes, therefore speak in moderation, only when necessary

Since you cannot tame the minds of others until you have tamed your own, begin by taming your own mind

Distracting enjoyments have no essence, therefore sincerely practice giving

Always keep pure moral discipline for it leads to beauty in this life and happiness thereafter

Since hatred is rife in these impure times, don the armour of patience, free from anger

Since this human life is wasted by indulging in distractions, now is the time to practice concentration

If you practice like this, you will delight me, and you will bring happiness to yourself and others…