This practice focus inspires an attitude of mind of reverence, respect and humility. If everything is the Buddha, one feels moved to attend to and care for all things and all beings.
The Monastery abounds with examples of this practice.
Colorful chitenge flutters over the windows of the Meditation Hall to deter kamakazi birds from getting concussion.
An intricate latticework of bamboo and wire encourages a tiny clematis vine to bravely grow towards the light.
The big bell is hung from a sturdy frame so that it can withstand the thwack that calls everyone’s attention to the next activity.
Bug buses in each room are on standby to ferry creatures that have lost their way back to their natural habitat.
The golf cart is carefully parked so that the last cluster of brilliant poppies can flourish without worrying about being crushed.
PVC pipes are strewn on the grass so that squirrels can trim their teeth on something other than Monastery plumbing.
The blushing blooms of the Rhea rose, protected from visiting deer by a slender wire cage, open confidently to butterflies.
And lest we think that humans are not included…
Chairs are positioned carefully on the porches and under trees as an invitation to rest in the shade.
Cushions are plumped and zabutons patted down to ensure the next person has a perfect spot for meditation.
Someone attends to the milk and water jugs each night so that visitors can have a hot cup of tea in the morning.
Someone else makes sure that no one encounters a damp towel in the kitchen or restroom when they dry their hands.
Notes on the Monastery board are written with deliberation to assist and support a person in their practice of waking up and ending suffering.
Each task, each communication, each object, each person is accorded this respect, this love, this level of attention.
Gratitude arises for the Practice, the Teachings and the Guide that unfailingly model this loving attention to Life.
When we practice caring in this way, we find ourselves feeling deeply cared for. It seems that Life always cares for Life, and we walk the path to awaken to the awareness that the essence of Life is “Love-ing.” Or as Rumi says, "Love is the astrolabe of God’s secrets. The essence of the Essence is the intoxication of Love.”
The serene smile of the Buddha is that of one who has tasted this essence. The invitation of his teaching is to journey into the heart of love and compassion to discover that the intoxication of Love is the experience of our true nature.
In a quest for sweetness, the orange and blue dragonflies dive with abandon into the sweet pink hearts of the lotus blossoms. They “know” where the jewel resides.
In this way I do most deeply vow to train myself.
In gassho,
Ashwini