Dharma Jewel


Flowers outside the Main Shrine HallSince all things are naked, clear
and free from obscurations,
There is nothing to attain or realize.
The everyday practice is simply to develop
a complete acceptance and open-ness
to all situations and emotions and to all people.

Experiencing everything totally without reservations and blockages
so that one never withdraws or
centralizes into oneself.

When one has studied and practiced the Buddhadharma for a while, it's tempting to sum up the whole path in a short phrase or two. How we phrase it varies from week to week sometimes. Occasionally we might say "It's all about waking up," or, "The point is to be a genuinely kind human being" or "Develop unconditional compassion to all sentient beings" or "Resting in our innate Buddha Mind" or "Seeing the empty/luminous nature of all things." This short passage is one of my favorites, and often comes to mind when I lose my way and forget what it is I am doing on this path. I hope this quotation is helpful to you and I hope to see everyone at Annual Retreat! (P.S. The quiz of the month is for someone to identify the author and origins of the quote!)

Yours in the dharma,

Lopön Andre Papantonio

 

 

Photo credit: Flowers outside the Main Shrine Hall at Lotus Garden.
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