Good morning!
We can appreciate the beatitude and beauty of perennial peace in sittings, service,
and sudden spring with green plants and colorful flowers. The latest topic of the
Science for Everyone program of TV Japan was grapefruit. Its origin was in
Barbados, hybrid on Asian citrus. A tree in Japan grown out of a discarded seed
started bearing fruit after 35 years. A budding seed in the kitchen planted 35 years
ago first bore fruit after 20 years and now is bearing 1,000.
The life tree seed has evolved into branches of all kinds of species. Our species has
also developed into twigs. Mr. Otsuka, who often sends us his beautiful photos from
Japan for our blog site, recently informed us of his mother’s passing away. His grand
children living in California sent him a card saying, “Grandpa, even if you’ve lost your
parents, you are not alone. We are always with you!” We are all with our ancestors
and descendants – actually with all.
Humans, creating languages and legacies in individuals and institutions, tend to
become selfish and sinful (separated), but we are sharing our common assets of
genes – actually the genetics of all. When we sit still, stilling our karmas with their
triple poisons, we become true, harmony and peace, like trees that are harmonious
with water, wind, and the world. When we become harmonious with all, we can
function freely and fully with all throughout space and time.
Dogen advised in his Tenzokyokun, Lessons for the Cook Monk, to cultivate the triple
heart (great, mature, and joyful heart). We can enjoy greatness, maturity, and joy in
truth, goodness, and beauty. The Buddha taught us the fourfold Limitlessness or
Brahma-vihāra (abode, living, behaving) of friendship, compassion, joy, and
equanimity (renunciation/windless of karmas, nirvana). We can live a great, mature,
joyful life, limitless in life, light, liberation, and love.
4/19/15
