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…
- The highest learning is to realize the truth of no-self.
- The highest discipline is taming one’s own mindstream.
- The highest quality is the wish to benefit all beings.
- The highest instruction is constant awareness of the mind.
- The highest medicine is recognizing the inherent emptiness and non-separation of phenomena.
- The highest activity is not conforming with worldly ways and concerns.
- The highest magic is the transmutation of passions and delusions.
- The highest generosity is non-attachment.
- The highest goodness is a calm and peaceful mind.
- The highest patience is to uphold humility in all circumstances.
- The highest effort is to release attachment to results and outcomes.
- The highest meditation is no-mind, letting go of all concepts, pretension and contrivance.
- The highest wisdom is non-fixation, seeing through all appearances and identifications.
- The highest spiritual teacher is one who points out our flaws and tells us to avoid them.
- The highest precept is that which strikes at our own shortcomings.
- The highest friends are mindfulness and introspection.
- The highest motivating factors are our enemies, obstacles, illnesses, and sufferings.
- The highest skilful means is to be free of quarrels and apprehensions.
- The highest benefit for others is to inspire them to engage in Dharma practice.
- The highest benefit for oneself is to direct one’s attention to Dharma - the nature of things.
- Atisha 982 to 1054 AD