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Flowers of Emptiness
Sakyamuni Buddha says,
It is like a person who has clouded eyes
Seeing flowers in space;
If the sickness of clouded eyes is cured,
Flowers vanish in space.
No scholars have clearly understood this statement. Because they do not know space, they do not know flowers in space. Because they do not know flowers in space, they do not know a person who has clouded eyes, do not see a person who has clouded eyes, do not meet a person who has clouded eyes, and do not become a person who has clouded eyes. Through meeting a person who has clouded eyes, we should know flowers in space and should see flowers in space. When we have seen flowers in space we can also see “flowers vanish in space.” The idea that once flowers in space vanish they can never reappear is the view and opinion of the Small Vehicle. At a time when flowers in space could not be seen, what could exist? Only knowing that flowers in space can become an object to get rid of, [scholars] do not know the great matter that follows from flowers in space, and do not know the seeding, maturation, and falling free of flowers in space.
Shobogenzo, Kuge, Gudo Nishijima & Mike Cross
Hola Amigo,
Who here has not had/have clouded eyes?
If not for clouded eyes, what kind of buddha could one speak of?
To see clouded eyes is to see Buddhahood!
“Y”
Hola Amigo,
Thought you might enjoy this little tidbit:
Mortals liberate buddhas and buddhas liberate mortals. Mortals liberate buddhas because affliction creates awareness. And buddhas liberate mortals because awareness negates affliction. There can’t help but be affliction. And there can’t be help but be awareness. If it weren’t for affliction, there would be nothing to create awareness. And if it weren’t for awareness, there would be nothing to negate affliction. When you are deluded, buddhas liberate mortals. When you are aware, mortals liberate buddhas. Buddhas don’t become buddhas on their own. They are liberated by mortals. Buddhas regard delusion as their father and greed as their mother. Delusion and greed are different names for mortality. Delusion and mortality are like the left hand and the right hand. There’s no difference.
Zen Teachings of Bodhidharma, Wake up Sermon, Red Pine.
“Y”
Hello Yamakoa,
Very nice! Thank you.
Peace,
Ted
Hi Folks
Similar sentiments were expressed by Nikos Kazantzakis in his work “Savours of God, Spiritual Excercises”.
In my own words, ” Rub either side of a duality the wrong way and it will bite you. Rub either with tender awareness and it will impregnate it’s opposite, and give birth to the inexpressible.”
regards
Pete
Hi Pete,
Very nice! Thank you.
Peace,
Ted