Bowing to a millipede

[Kyosei]

Hey folks

Last night I was doing Zazen; when I finished it, I noticed a small millipede near the wall before me. When I rise from the Zafu when suddenly this thought crosses my mind: "Even if I gassho to a millipede, I am doing it to the Buddha himself." And then, "So why shouldn't I gassho or even bow to everything, say, a rock, someone I don't 'like', a Zafu, a trash can, a car, some homeless person, etc...? Everything is Buddha."

Funny how some tiny being like a millipede could bring me this little insight.

Just to share this with you.

Gassho

Marcos

#SatToday

[Jundo]

And all Gassho back, the millipede with dozens of hands ...

Gassho, J

SatT

[Myosha]

Hello,

Thank you for the lesson.


Gassho
Myosha
sat today

[Kokuu]

Kokuu
#sattoday

[Shugen]

Thank you for sharing. And, it's not so "little"
[emoji846]

Gassho,

Shugen

Sattoday


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[Kyonin]

A millipede is all of us who gassho at each other at the same time.

Sometimes I gassho pretty much to everything in my home sometimes. Mosquitoes, cats, people in the street. It's actually a humbling practice because it's a form to acknowledge the sanctity in all that is around.

And sometimes I just ignore everything and mind my business

Gassho,

Kyonin
#SatToday

[Jakuden]

Dudley and I were just discussing this yesterday in relation to the latest PPE... he says he has been thanking his cushion recently [emoji846]It can be a hard master but it holds one up during sitting!
Gassho
Jakuden
SatToday


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[Zenmei]

Dudley and I were just discussing this yesterday in relation to the latest PPE... he says he has been thanking his cushion recently [emoji846]It can be a hard master but it holds one up during sitting!
Gassho
Jakuden
SatToday


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I was cursing it today as I tried to sit seiza for the first time

Gassho, dudley
#knelt

[Jundo]

Buddhist Millipede ...



Gassho, J

SatToday

[Careless Voice]

I read that by saying something is Buddha or has Buddha nature you should wash your mouth out. I read that by adding more labels to something we have already given up to delusion, we only add more delusion. I know that sounds pretty Harada Roshi-ish, but I think it fits nicely with breaking down our perception.

Still, I think it's lovely you acknowledged the millipede. And funnily enough I did the same to a spider and a gnat today. In contemplating the nature of things I've been stuck in knowing I can see a spider for its' legs rather than "nasty spider". I think it's best if I just throw the legs out and just look at the spider next time with no opinions, judgements, or words.

But here I am again thinking too much.

Gassho
Kyle
Sat2day

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[Shugen]

Sometimes its just "spider", sometimes it's "oh no, that is a dangerous spider and must be moved or killed so it does not harm my child".

Gassho,

Shugen

I read that by saying something is Buddha or has Buddha nature you should wash your mouth out. I read that by adding more labels to something we have already given up to delusion, we only add more delusion. I know that sounds pretty Harada Roshi-ish, but I think it fits nicely with breaking down our perception.

Still, I think it's lovely you acknowledged the millipede. And funnily enough I did the same to a spider and a gnat today. In contemplating the nature of things I've been stuck in knowing I can see a spider for its' legs rather than "nasty spider". I think it's best if I just throw the legs out and just look at the spider next time with no opinions, judgements, or words.

But here I am again thinking too much.

Gassho
Kyle
Sat2day

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[Careless Voice]

Sometimes its just "spider", sometimes it's "oh no, that is a dangerous spider and must be moved or killed so it does not harm my child".

Gassho,

Shugen

Haha, good point. Alternatively move the child and burn the house down! Ok, maybe that's a little extreme. [emoji38]

Gassho
Kyle
Sat2day

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[Shugen]

Hello,

"Or" and "what if" never end.

The explanation to the insurance company would be interesting [emoji6]

Gassho,

Shugen

Sattoday

Haha, good point. Alternatively move the child and burn the house down! Ok, maybe that's a little extreme. [emoji38]

Gassho
Kyle
Sat2day

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[Byokan]

Thanks for this, Marcos.

Bowing is funny. It starts out small and specific, then the more you do it, it grows. And you find yourself bowing to all kinds of things, and it grows some more, until it's not even really you bowing any more, until bowing is bowing at bowing.

It's kind of like The Blob, encompassing everything in it's path. Well, in a good way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdUsyXQ8Wrs

Gassho
Byōkan
sat today