On Monday, in America, people all over the country will be attending services in remembrance of all those who have suffered as a result of war. We as an Order hold ceremonies at our monasteries and temples too. Some may know of the truce that was called between the fighting men on Christmas Day during WW1, known ever after as The Christmas Truce. Apparently men at war at other times, and other wars, have dropped their fighting gear to fraternize with the enemy.
In the Crimean War British, French and Russians at quiet times also gathered around the same fire, smoking and drinking. In the American Civil War Yankees and Rebels traded tobacco, coffee and newspapers, fished peacefully on opposite sides of the same stream and even collected wild blackberries together. Similar stories are told of the Boer War, in which on one occasion, during a conference of commanders, the rank and file of both sides engaged in a friendly game of football.
Today is the last day of the Royal Horticultural Societies prestigious Chelsea Flower Show in London. This year there has been a bit of a controversy about a garden called Through the Moongate which is a western take on a Chinese style garden. The problem, spotted by a couple of Chinese students, was something to do with a dragon facing the wrong way and a statue of Kanzeon placed too low to the ground.
I stepped across the yard to take a look at our garden. Kanzeon is very low to the ground, in fact the statue is standing directly on the earth. Strictly speaking one would raise it up out of reverence and respect. My guess is that this little patch remains as it is out of respect and remembrance of the person who cared for it, who is no longer resident here. Could be wrong.
Kanzeon in the garden.
Yellow Tulip called Yokohama
Lovely day here, although as I look out of the window the sky is turning grey.
For anybody familiar with the writings of Zen Master Dogen you will know what ‘Not Two’ is referring to. Basically it is pointing towards the non duality of practice and enlightenment. I’m just having a bit of fun with these photos of the sheep and her lamb and the captions. Nothing deep or significant I can assure you. Not everything is teaching, although everything can teach!
On previous visits to the Hermitage in Wales the hill sheep were in a sad state of health. They were basically neglected and it was not uncommon to come across sheep and lambs dying slowly from ‘fly strike’ or some other difficulty due to a weakened system. You can look up fly strike if you really want to. Believe me, it is not a nice way to go. However on this visit I was so glad to find the sheep well and well cared for. So the stress of being surrounded by sick animals was pleasantly absent.
These photographs came from the Wikipedia entry on Ryokan. I just hope I done right by the copyright.
The Hut
Statue of Zen Master Ryokan
The hermit hut is for Ryokan a microcosm of life and the universe: “last year a foolish monk, this year no different.” It is the setting for the cycle of being which he so sensitively portrays in his poetry.
My life is like an old run-down hermitage poor, simple, quiet.
A thought: If the hermit Ryokan is so closely identified with his hut he could speak of his hut weeping (the rain coming in) and soaking his book. Just a thought…
This news story from Guardian Unlimited, Gay flamingos adopt abandoned chick caught my eye! Hope you enjoy reading about these two characters as much as I have.
A pair of gay flamingos have become foster parents after taking an abandoned chick under their wings. Carlos and Fernando had been so desperate to start a family that they had resorted to stealing eggs at the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) in Slimbridge, Gloucestershire. Read on…
All credit to Jonny of Do They Hurt for this link. Thanks.
Practice Within The Order of Buddhist Contemplatives
