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The Tricycle editors wanted me to lose the candle reference at the end of the essay, and to stay on the theme of farming, planting and growing. So, I have written a new ending of the essay, and put the candle back in the drawer ...
NEW ENDING:
Master Dogen celebrated the Garden Master of the monastery, the monk charged with tending the fields to keep all fed. They “always must be at the vegetable garden to plant seeds in accord with the season. With the face of buddhas and ancestors … Without holding back their own life energy, throughout the day they must carry spades and hoes, plow and till by themselves, and haul manure. They can only wait for the vegetables to ripen, and then must not miss their time.” We must be equally diligent.
What are the seeds we plant? These are seeds of peace, tolerance, generosity, moderation, cooperation and truthfulness. Buddhism speaks of planting such seeds within our own heart, but we also plant such seeds in the world around us. This is our Bodhisattva Vow. Again, I am not speaking politics, but simply about values that all partisans and politicians often forget.
We do not need to all agree on precisely what to plant, and we can disagree on what is the best way to tend the fields. All Buddhism insists is that we seek to grow what is healthy and nutritious, good for the community, avoiding what is poison. Also, we should cooperate, and not fight over our differing fields.
You can be such a farmer today. Be assured that the Spring will come.
Another analogy is the candle on our Altar. Candles are most important on the dark days. When things seem darkest, when others lose hope, we can each be a candle, vital and burning most brightly during the dark times. When the world is especially clouded with greed, anger and ignorance, it is the role of each Buddhist (YOU!) to be a flame keeping bright the light of peace, tolerance, generosity, moderation, cooperation, truthfulness and the rest. Your role is most crucial in the dark. We don't lose our way, don't go cold, don't burn out, but just keep on steadily burning bright. A little light now can set a great light burning.
You must be such a candle today, keeping the flame alight until the daybreak comes.
Just started reading Shohaku Okumura’s Realizing Genjokoan, and think this quote from the preface belong’s here:
“The practice of zazen can help us understand that our pictures of the world and our values are biased and incomplete, and this understanding allows us to be flexible. Being flexible means that we can listen to others’ opinions knowing that their biases are simply different from ours, according to the circumstances and conditions of their individual lives. When we practice in this way our view broadens and we become better at working in harmony with others. By continually studying the nature of reality, of the Dharma in its universal sense, and by awakening to our biases, we keep working to correct our distorted views. This is how letting go of thought in zazen informs practice in our daily lives.”
I like the simplicity of some posts here. Some on Life and Death I have posted on my bookcase. This is of supreme importance because I have learned to ask forgiveness.
Gassho
lah/sat
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