Soon after his enlightenment, a man saw the Buddha walking toward him. Seeing there was something different about this person who was approaching he asked:
'Are you a god?'
The Buddah answered, 'No'.
'You're a magician then? A sorcerer? A wizard?'
'No'.
'Are you some kind of celestial being? An angel perhaps?'
Again the Buddha said, 'No'.
'Well then, what are you?'
The Buddha replied, 'I am awake'.
The central idea of the Buddha's teaching is that all humans are capable of becoming enlightened, that is seeing things as they are rather than as we wish or believe them to be - it's about relying on the immediate experience of this present moment. It's not about belief, doctrine, formula, or tradition. It's about freedom of mind.
(from 'Buddhism Plain and Simple' by Steve Hagen).
And a couple of images of course :O) The first one is an photo I took this morning for The Daily Shoot.
The second is of Pepper asking the Buddah to enlighten her as to how best to defeat Charlie's devilish plans against her.
For more words beginning with B go to ABC Wednesday.
Terrific and very interesting post for the B Day, Barbara! I love the quote by Buddha! And I love your photos as well! Hope you have a great week! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
ABC Team
Dear Barbara, I loved this story and Pepper is so cute with Buddah!I hope Charles can be a good boy okay!
ReplyDeleteAdorable post!
Léia
purrs and love from Luna
Pepper needs to stroke the Buddha's tummy for good luck :-)
ReplyDeleteMeow!
ReplyDeleteThat Buddha-guy sounds almost like a cat. It is not surprising that you picture a cat near his portrait! (Cool cat-shot - BTW)
Keep it simple. Stay awake!
That's what I say!
(Great choice for B!)
Purrs,
Sara Cat
Sara Cat's ABC-Wd-Rd-8-B Black Beauty
To which the Buddha replied to Pepper:
ReplyDelete"Charlie's devilish plans are impermanent. Remember to purr often and practice non-attachment. And tell Charlie to reconnect with his Buddha Nature." :-)
Wonderful photos that make a great accompaniment to your "B is for Buddha" post!
Yes, I do see people walking around, if not asleep, then oblivious.
ReplyDeleteROG, ABC Wednesday team
Love Pepper before Buddah. Clever post for the letter B.
ReplyDeleteStay awake! Sage advice.
ReplyDeleteLove this post! And your photos are superb!
ReplyDeleteI like the statue but I'm not much in Buddhism. I think you'd like Wesak day in Malaysia!
ReplyDeletewonderful teachings....gorgeous photos...nothing better!
ReplyDeleteWe love Pepper's style of praying for awakeness.
ReplyDeletei love the photo with the cat! nice post!
ReplyDeleteI am awake. Truer words were never spoken. Love how you used the light in that first shot. Really nice shot.
ReplyDeleteCheryl
ABC Team
Gorgeous! I though you would use your name for this week's letter hehehe
ReplyDeleteB for Broken Plate, come and see.
Laloofah - LOL! Pepper gave Charlie your advice, he smacked her on the nose but is going about chanting 'Nom nom nom...' :O)
ReplyDeleteChubskulit - I did think about using B is for Barbara, then thought it was a little egotistical! And I didn't want to waste that shot of the Buddha from yesterday. Maybe next round :O)
Hi Barbara,
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my cat, Sara's B-post about Black Beauty.
I've looked a at your profile and blog and see that literature is important. And that you have four cats!!! Wow!
Nice to meet you!
Best wishes,
Anna (Sara Cat's two-legged-person)
Ah, well that's probably the problem... please tell Pepper to tell Charlie that "nom... nom... nom" is the yummy food-eating chant. "Ommmmm" is what Charlie's after for inner peace, enlightenment and Pepper-smacking cessation. Ommmmm, Charlie. Keep practicing. LOL
ReplyDeleteBuddha has a big hands, doesn't he?
ReplyDeleteLove the light in your blog! Soon Charlie will see it, too!
ReplyDeleteHelenMac, ABC Team
One of my daughters has a couple of Buddha statuettes and is very intrigued by them and of Buddhism. I'm not, but this was an extraordinary post and actually 'enlightened' me somewhat. Hope you're having a great week! :D
ReplyDeleteLeslie
ABCW Team