Atisha was born in the year 982 AD in East Bengal. He was born into a royal family. It is said that at the time of his birth there were many auspicious signs, and that from his very early childhood Prince displayed an unusually peaceful and compassionate nature, and an aspiration to spiritual practice. The young prince also had a special connection with Tara, the female Buddha embodying all the Buddhas’ activities of great compassion. While circumambulating Bodhgaya’s great stupa, Atisha experienced a clear vision in which two manifestations of Tara appeared in the space before him. One asked the other: What is the most important practice for achieving enlightenment?” The other replied: “The practice of bodhichitta, supported by loving kindness and great compassion is most important.” Thus, Atisha formed the single-minded aspiration to perfect his understanding and practice of the mind of enlightenment, or bodhichitta.

Artist: Chundi Dorje.

Size: 32.75″ x 24″