Atisha's Pith Instructions

So this is my first post on Uptrust. Good to be here!

I have been inspired by this teaching from Atisha (a master who taught in India & Tibet over a thousand years ago) but I wasn’t fully satisfied with any translation. So today I compared 6 different translations and made this version that resonates for me…

1. The highest learning is to realize the truth of no-self.
2. The highest discipline is taming one’s own mindstream.
3. The highest quality is the wish to benefit all beings.
4. The highest instruction is constant awareness of the mind.
5. The highest medicine is recognizing the inherent emptiness and non-separation of phenomena.
6. The highest activity is not conforming with worldly ways and concerns.
7. The highest magic is the transmutation of passions and delusions.
8. The highest generosity is non-attachment.
9. The highest goodness is a calm and peaceful mind.
10. The highest patience is to uphold humility in all circumstances.
11. The highest effort is to release attachment to results and outcomes.
12. The highest meditation is no-mind, letting go of all concepts, pretension and contrivance.
13. The highest wisdom is non-fixation, seeing through all appearances and identifications.
14. The highest spiritual teacher is one who points out our flaws and tells us to avoid them.
15. The highest precept is that which strikes at our own shortcomings.
16. The highest friends are mindfulness and introspection.
17. The highest motivating factors are our enemies, obstacles, illnesses, and sufferings.
18. The highest skilful means is to be free of quarrels and apprehensions.
19. The highest benefit for others is to inspire them to engage in Dharma practice.
20. The highest benefit for oneself is to direct one’s attention to Dharma - the nature of things.

• Atisha 982 to 1054 AD