THE DIVINE LIVES IN US AND AMONG US
I was reminded of this beautiful Zen story today.
The story goes like this, a once famous Buddhist monastery had fallen into decline and the abbot was deeply troubled.
The monks were lax in their practice, novices were leaving and lay supporters were deserting the monastery to join other centers.
The Abbot traveled far to a sage and recounted his tale of woe, of how much he desired to transform his monastery to the flourishing haven it had been in days of yore. The sage looked him in the eye and said, "The reason your monastery has languished is that the Buddha is living among you in disguise, and you have not honored Him."
The abbot hurried back, his mind in turmoil “The Selfless One was at his monastery! Who could He be? Brother Hua?...No, he was full of sloth. Brother Po?...No, he was too dull…. But then the Tathagata (The Divine One) was in disguise. What better disguise than sloth or dull- wittedness?
He called his monks to him and revealed the sage's words. They, too, were taken aback and looked at each other with suspicion and awe. Which one of them was the Chosen One? The disguise was perfect. Not knowing who He was they took to treating everyone with the respect due to a Buddha.
As time passed, the monks faces started shining with an inner radiance, every part of the monastery glowed with their loving care , this attracted novices and then lay supporters and soon the monastery far surpassed its previous glory. People came from far and wide to receive the radiant gifts of the monastery.
Sweet friends, let us choose to make our home, our place of work, and every part of our environment radiant with our love, respect and care, for the Divine lives in us and among us. May we bless each other and this beautiful planet!
Blessings!
Premlatha Rajkumar
I was reminded of this beautiful Zen story today.
The story goes like this, a once famous Buddhist monastery had fallen into decline and the abbot was deeply troubled.
The monks were lax in their practice, novices were leaving and lay supporters were deserting the monastery to join other centers.
The Abbot traveled far to a sage and recounted his tale of woe, of how much he desired to transform his monastery to the flourishing haven it had been in days of yore. The sage looked him in the eye and said, "The reason your monastery has languished is that the Buddha is living among you in disguise, and you have not honored Him."
The abbot hurried back, his mind in turmoil “The Selfless One was at his monastery! Who could He be? Brother Hua?...No, he was full of sloth. Brother Po?...No, he was too dull…. But then the Tathagata (The Divine One) was in disguise. What better disguise than sloth or dull- wittedness?
He called his monks to him and revealed the sage's words. They, too, were taken aback and looked at each other with suspicion and awe. Which one of them was the Chosen One? The disguise was perfect. Not knowing who He was they took to treating everyone with the respect due to a Buddha.
As time passed, the monks faces started shining with an inner radiance, every part of the monastery glowed with their loving care , this attracted novices and then lay supporters and soon the monastery far surpassed its previous glory. People came from far and wide to receive the radiant gifts of the monastery.
Sweet friends, let us choose to make our home, our place of work, and every part of our environment radiant with our love, respect and care, for the Divine lives in us and among us. May we bless each other and this beautiful planet!
Blessings!
Premlatha Rajkumar
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