Saturday, March 13, 2021
Be Prepared—Not (blog.kimmosley.com)
As a Boy Scout, I worshipped the “be prepared” motto. It was my way to deal with life. The want-to-be monks at the Flower Sermon were well-prepared. They knew the Dharma and had a solid meditation practice. Yet when Buddha admired the flower their preparedness blocked their transmission. But what about Kasjapa? His mind was open and fertile. Buddha transmitted with him because Kasjapa didn’t have any expectations. He was fortunately un(der)prepared. That's virtuosity.
Friday, March 12, 2021
All Flowers Everywhere
Kashyapa swims in a boundless sea of flowers.
Cousin Brian wrote, “He held up all flowers everywhere.” When I imagine all that know this story of the Buddha holding up a flower, I can see all flowers being held up simultaneously, throughout space and time. Not only am I holding up a lotus, but so did those who preceded me as did my children and their children. Flowers filled the room. Flowers filled outside the room as far as Kashyapa could see. There was nothing but flowers.
Thursday, March 11, 2021
Which flower did he hold up?
Buddha held up a flower. Sometimes it is depicted as a pure white lotus, but I like it better when it is a lotus with its roots dripping mud. That’s who I was today when I led service and messed up the robe chant. There were hopefully some moments where the “beautiful” end of the flower was revealed, but the mud was there as well. The point is not to be a stone buddha, nor to be a wild animal. It is the pure white lotus and the mud, all in one bundle. That's why Kashyapa smiled...
or not.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Monday, March 8, 2021
Sunday, March 7, 2021
Friday, March 5, 2021
Thursday, March 4, 2021
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Tuesday, March 2, 2021
Monday, March 1, 2021
Sunday, February 28, 2021
Saturday, February 27, 2021
Friday, February 26, 2021
Thursday, February 25, 2021
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Monday, February 22, 2021
Sunday, February 21, 2021
Saturday, February 20, 2021
Friday, February 19, 2021
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Monday, February 15, 2021
Sunday, February 14, 2021
Saturday, February 13, 2021
Friday, February 12, 2021
Thursday, February 11, 2021
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