The Path to Awakening Quotes

“Atisha traveled to Sumatra by ship on a journey that took over a year. On the way he was faced with tremendous obstacles such as storms and aggressive sea creatures. At one point he was attacked by Maheshvara. Maheshvara took the shape of a gigantic, terrifying monster and caused a treacherous storm to descend upon the ship: lightning, thunder, huge waves and an enormous whirlpool that very nearly caused the ship to sink. From the midst of the whirlpool emerged the sea monster, threatening to devour all on board. Atisha established himself in a profound, stable meditation and generated compassion and loving kindness. The entreaties of Atisha’s terrified travel companions combined with Atisha’s tremendous merit caused Amrita Kundali, the wrathful Buddhist deity, to manifest and destroy the sea monster.”
― Shamar Rinpoché, The Path to Awakening: How Buddhism's Seven Points of Mind Training Can Lead You to a Life of Enlightenment and Happiness