The lotus flower is a traditional Buddhist symbol of purity. A lotus is born from the mud at a bottom of a lake but blossoms above the water as a stainless flower that brings pleasure to all that see it. In a similar fashion, all beings are born in the ocean of suffering with impure bodies and minds, but if they train in mediation they can attain a completely pure body and mind, and bring peace an happiness to all who meet them.
The quality of life depends not on external development or material progress but on the inner development of peace and happiness. Without inner peace, outer peace is impossible. If we first establish peace within our minds by training in spiritual paths, outer peace will come naturally; but if we do not, world peace will never be achieved, no matter how many people campaign for it.
Visualize the ocean with a multitude of waves. Imagine that the self is one wave on the ocean, and surrounding us are many, many other waves. If the wave looks deeply within one's self, there will be a realization that ones being there depends upon the presence of all the other waves. Raising up and going down, being big or small depends entirely on how the other waves are. Looking into one's self, you touch the whole, you touch everything - you are conditioned by what there is around you. A wave is made of many other waves yet there is to be the realization that the wave is also made up of water. It is also important to touch the water, the foundation of one's being; and to realize that all the other waves are also made up of water. One thing contains everything. With the energy of mindfulness, one can see deeply.
The quality of life depends not on external development or material progress but on the inner development of peace and happiness. Without inner peace, outer peace is impossible. If we first establish peace within our minds by training in spiritual paths, outer peace will come naturally; but if we do not, world peace will never be achieved, no matter how many people campaign for it.
Visualize the ocean with a multitude of waves. Imagine that the self is one wave on the ocean, and surrounding us are many, many other waves. If the wave looks deeply within one's self, there will be a realization that ones being there depends upon the presence of all the other waves. Raising up and going down, being big or small depends entirely on how the other waves are. Looking into one's self, you touch the whole, you touch everything - you are conditioned by what there is around you. A wave is made of many other waves yet there is to be the realization that the wave is also made up of water. It is also important to touch the water, the foundation of one's being; and to realize that all the other waves are also made up of water. One thing contains everything. With the energy of mindfulness, one can see deeply.
3 comments:
Marck,
Do you really believe we are born with impure bodies and minds? Perhaps I am taking this too literally, but I would think our bodies are healthier and better functioning when we are born than when we age. As for our minds, we may gain wisdom in time, but we can also become lost and full of despair along the way.
Inner peace is certainly important in any case. Our life circumstances certainly affect how we feel, but I think as humans we have the opportunity to consciously make a decision to try to better ourselves regardless of our external hardships. Although it's hard to remember that when things get difficult; but good to be reminded of it.
Incidentally, as for the lotus, you might be interested in a recent article in August 2008 Scientific American. Close examination of the lotus reveals microscopic bumps which transform its waxy surface into the most water repellant of any known plants. Water rolls easily across it, removing any dirt along the way. This discovery has inspired a range of self-cleaning and antibacterial technologies with a multitude of applications.
For Buddhists the lotus has long been a symbol of purity. It would appear science is now discovering how true this is.
My Friend Dan,
Thanks for faithfully reading my blog and for your very thoughtful comment. To answer your question “head-on”; No, I do not believe that we are born with impure minds and bodies as interpreted from the Judeo-Christian perspective wherein impure is defined as immoral, obscene, unchaste, dirty, and unclean. Rather since this was a Buddhist reflection, the term impure is meant as undeveloped and uncultivated. We start out as primal beings seeking to satisfy our own needs/wants such as food, comfort, attention, etc. Unfortunately, some never progress beyond that stage and for some others pursuing satisfaction by obtaining better material conditions is the means of achieving happiness. A teaching of Buddhism advises us not to seek happiness outside ourselves but to establish it within our minds. This is achievable by means of various mental disciplines of which mediation is one. Sincere practices of same, hopefully, will result in control and enlightenment and/or purification. In Buddhist scriptures, the body is compared to a guesthouse for the mind. Therefore, as the mind is purified so is the body.
It is my hope that I have not exasperated with my response, and that my original intent of advocating for inner and outer peace will resonate. As you know being that I am a Unitarian Universalist, I am of a faith that has no official dogma or creed to which all members subscribe. Also, am of the belief that all individuals should be encouraged to develop a personal theology that sustains their own worth and dignity. Now for a little witticism, Universalists in their reaction to Calvinism “believed that God was too good to damn them” and Unitarians “believed that mankind was too good to be damned”.
Thanks for the info on the lotus that I was unaware of. Once again, nature “trumps” over man and all his technological advances.
Peace & Love, Marck
Thanks for clarifying what you meant by "impure" Marck. This makes a lot more sense to me, and I agree: We all do start out pretty much under the control of our basic needs; and with time progress, some more than others, beyond that.
But I do think it's important not to forget or ignore those needs, such as, say for example, if we feel pain then we should investigate and tend to whatever is causing the pain.
I think the answer is to pay attention but not be controlled; to balance and prioritize our basic needs against a greater cause. As humans, we are self-aware and can look at ourselves from a more objective viewpoint than any other animal. Yet, I think we shouldn't forget we're still part of the physical world just like every other living thing.
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