Author Topic: Advice from Atisha's Heart  (Read 5357 times)

eyesoftara

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 314
Advice from Atisha's Heart
« on: February 17, 2014, 08:09:17 AM »
This is my first topic in this Forum. I would to share Advice from Atisha's Heart.

Advice from Atisha's Heart.

When Venerable Atisha came to Tibet he first went to Ngari, where he remained for two years giving many teachings to the disciples of Jang Chub Ö.
After two years had passed he decided to return to India, and Jang Chub 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 Jang Chub 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.
Friends, until you attain enlightenment the Spiritual Teacher is indispensable, therefore rely upon the holy Spiritual Guide.
Until you realize ultimate truth, listening is indispensable, therefore listen to the instructions of the Spiritual Guide.
Since you cannot become a Buddha merely by understanding Dharma, practise earnestly with understanding.
Avoid places that disturb your mind, and always remain where your virtues increase.
Until you attain stable realizations, worldly amusements are harmful, therefore abide in a place where there are no such distractions.
Avoid friends who cause you to increase delusions, and rely upon those who increase your virtue. This you should take to heart.
Since there is never a time when worldly activities come to an end, limit your activities.
Dedicate your virtues throughout the day and the night, and always watch your mind.
Because you have received advice, whenever you are not meditating always practice in accordance with what your Spiritual Guide says.
If you practice with great devotion, results will arise immediately, without your having to wait for a long time.
If from your heart you practice in accordance with Dharma, both food and resources will come naturally to hand.
Friends, the things you desire give no more satisfaction than drinking sea water, therefore practise contentment.
Avoid all haughty, conceited, proud, and arrogant minds, and remain peaceful and subdued.
Avoid activities that are said to be meritorious, but which in fact are obstacles to Dharma.
Profit and respect are nooses of the maras, so brush them aside like stones on the path.
Words of praise and fame serve only to beguile us, therefore blow them away as you would blow your nose.
Since the happiness, pleasure, and friends you gather in this life last only for a moment, put them all behind you.
Since future lives last for a very long time, gather up riches to provide for the future.
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.
Have no hatred for enemies, and no attachment for friends.
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.
See all living beings as your father or mother, and love them as if you were their child.
Always keep a smiling face and a loving mind, and speak truthfully without malice.
If you talk too much with little meaning you will make mistakes, therefore speak in moderation, only when necessary.
If you engage in many meaningless activities your virtuous activities will degenerate, therefore stop activities that are not spiritual.
It is completely meaningless to put effort into activities that have no essence.
If the things you desire do not come it is due to karma created long ago, therefore keep a happy and relaxed mind.
Beware, offending a holy being is worse than dying, therefore be honest and straightforward.
Since all the happiness and suffering of this life arise from previous actions, do not blame others.
All happiness comes from the blessings of your Spiritual Guide, therefore always repay his kindness.
Since you cannot tame the minds of others until you have tamed your own, begin by taming your own mind.
Since you will definitely have to depart without the wealth you have accumulated, do not accumulate negativity for the sake of wealth.
Distracting enjoyments have no essence, therefore sincerely practise giving.
Always keep pure moral discipline for it leads to beauty in this life and happiness hereafter.
Since hatred is rife in these impure times, don the armour of patience, free from anger.
You remain in samsara through the power of laziness, therefore ignite the fire of the effort of application.
Since this human life is wasted by indulging in distractions, now is the time to practice concentration.
Being under the influence of wrong views you do not realize the ultimate nature of things, therefore investigate correct meanings.
Friends, there is no happiness in this swamp of samsara, so move to the firm ground of liberation.
Meditate according to the advice of your Spiritual Guide and dry up the river of samsaric suffering.
You should consider this well because it is not just words from the mouth, but sincere advice from the heart.
If you practice like this you will delight me, and you will bring happiness to yourself and others.
I who am ignorant request you to take this advice to heart. '
This is the advice that the holy being Venerable Atisha gave to Venerable Jang Chub Ö



yontenjamyang

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 733
    • Email
Re: Advice from Atisha's Heart
« Reply #1 on: February 17, 2014, 08:19:24 AM »
Thank you eyesoftara.

Wow, this advice from Atisha's should be taken as instructions that can tame our minds. Starting from Guru Devotion, Atisha's Advice touches deeply on all the topics of the Lamrim (which he authored) from optimum human rebirth, karma, the three high trainings(morality, meditation/concentration, wisdom) to compassion/altruism and boddhicitta. Mostly He advices to not waste this precious life on worldly concerns and pleasures but to practice for self and others.

We should take this advice to heart!

RedLantern

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 758
Re: Advice from Atisha's Heart
« Reply #2 on: February 23, 2014, 04:12:31 PM »
Atisha is a great Indian Buddhist Master who gave his disciples this precious advice,his most heartfelt and essential teachings.His advice is a guide for a healthy ,meaningful and positive life,encapsulating the way of life of the early Buddhist Masters,famous for their spiritual practice.
By following Atisha's advice in our daily life,we can develop a pure and happy mind.

Avoid activities that are said to be meritorious, but which in fact are obstacles to Dharma ~ Atisha.
Thank you for sharing these beautiful teaching.

dondrup

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 816
Re: Advice from Atisha's Heart
« Reply #3 on: February 23, 2014, 05:20:32 PM »
Thanks eyesoftara. 

It is enlightening to revisit this precious advice from Venerable Atisha. The essence of the entire path to liberation and enlightenment is embodied within Atisha's Advice. This makes an essential daily practice.

maricisun

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 247
    • Email
Re: Advice from Atisha's Heart
« Reply #4 on: March 01, 2014, 03:56:26 PM »
Thanks for sharing the Advice from Aisha's Heart to everyone.
Should read it everyday and keep it close to your heart.

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

lotus1

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 557
Re: Advice from Atisha's Heart
« Reply #5 on: March 01, 2014, 10:19:54 PM »
Thank you for sharing eyesoftara!
Powerful and wonderful advices from Atisha that we should all contemplate and practice.

Quote
“Friends, until you attain enlightenment the Spiritual Teacher is indispensable, therefore rely upon the holy Spiritual Guide.
Until you realize ultimate truth, listening is indispensable, therefore listen to the instructions of the Spiritual Guide.”
The first point from the advice is to fully rely upon our kind Guru. It is our kind guru that we will achieve advancement in our spiritual journey. Thank you, I will always take that advice to heart and may I always the merits to be close to my Guru and listen closely and practice his instructions.

cookie

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 196
    • Email
Re: Advice from Atisha's Heart
« Reply #6 on: March 03, 2014, 11:56:42 AM »
WOW !! The advice from Atisha's Heart should be included as part of my daily meditation. Such simple methods but very profound in deed to help me in my path. Its easy to get distracted and delusioned as I get on with my worldly duties.  Must always remember this advice in every speech, action and thought. Thank you.