Circumambulation (from Latin circum around, and ambulãtus to walk) is the act of moving around a sacred object or idol. Wikipedia

At Throssel Hole Buddhist Abbey, during a festival ceremony, all present have the chance to circumambulate the hall and offer incense at the main altar. It is a spiritual practice in many traditions – to walk in a clockwise circle around a stupa or a Buddha or Bodhisattva statue. There is merit, spiritual merit, generated through this circling, honouring, blessing, walking meditation.

Once, years ago, at a ceremony to install a statue in a ‘Buddha Garden’ in an open prison, I remember being given a flower,  some incense and a candle to carry while we walked and chanted. We circumambulated three times, which is also traditional.

There is a long distance path looping around Throssel called Isaac’s Tea Trail. Here below is an interview with the chap, Roger Morris, who thought of and developed this trail. The interview by Anne Leuchars is to both publicize and commemorate the 21st anniversary of the trail’s opening. I am glad to say I’ve walked a few sections of the 37-mile path, at least once with Roger and Anne, and with several other monks and lay sangha. It passes through wonderfully varied countryside, full of history, and empty, for the most part, of other walkers. Where else do you find that?

Well actually, once a year the trail is filled with runners and fast walkers, covering the whole length of the path in a day. That’s not for everyone however, but if you are in the area it is worth spending time on some part of the trail. In spirit at least you will be circumambulating the monastery, as Throssel at directly in the centre of the loop. Walking manageable segments is the best way. Carrying a flower, incense and a candle is probably not a good idea though! And walking around it three times? Probably not!

Anne writes a blog Walking Isaacs Tea Trail where if you take a careful look you will see a post about…walking as a religious practice.

On a personal note, Anne is my hero, for several reasons, one being her skill at interviewing. Something I’d aspire to do in…the future. Also she is a great walking companion because she doesn’t race ahead of the ‘pack’. We have ambled together, gladly.

The ultimate aim of the poet should be to touch our hearts by showing their own, and not to exhibit their learning, or fine taste, or skill in mimicking the notes of their predecessors.

Leslie Stephen Father of Virginia Woolf

what is it
who is it
that write it down?

the heart
the ‘spirit’
self?

what of
self-confidence?
lost!

no explanation
will ever be enough
JUST WRITE!

Note: I have been away; from writing here, and away from Throssel too. Contemplating all the while all that manifests within and behind ‘validation’ (and the seeming lack of it). And then following on, the matter of ‘self-confidence’ (and the seeming lack of it). Sometimes confidence can drop through the floor when ‘self’ becomes thin (or simply tired out)!

So, I am taking my own words, above, to heart. I’ll JUST WRITE. And allow the ‘heart’ of the universe, to take care of the rest.

Merit for all those who find themselves in extremity where all seems lost, lost sight of. A time to JUST SIT. Allow the ‘universe without edges’ to manifest in your being. The ‘ever present’ is ever present.

Samantabhadra rides an elephant, symbol of steadfastness.  Gently going on, humble, patient, strong.

The Buddha gave teaching…..

There were great enlightening beings, numerous as the atoms in ten buddha-worlds surrounding him. Their names were: Universally Good (Samantabhadra). Light of the Supreme Lamp of Universal Virtue, Lion Banner of Universal Light, Subtle Light of Flames of Universal Jewels, Banner of Oceans of Qualities of Universal Sounds, Realm of Enlightenment of Radiance of Universal Knowledge, Banner of flowers of Topknot of Universal Jewels, Pleasing Voice of Universal Awareness, Light, Great Brilliance of the Light of the Moon Reflected in the Ocean, Undefiled Treasure of Light of Oceans of Cloud-like Sounds, Born of Wisdom and Adorned with Virtue, Great Light of Sovereign Virtue, Brave Lotus Topknot, Sun Banner of Clouds of Universal Knowledge, Greatly Persevering with Indestructible Courage, Light Banner of Fragrant Flames, Deep Beautiful Sound of Great Enlightened Virtue, Born of Wisdom with the Light of Great Virtue. These and other were the leaders–there were as many as there are atoms in ten buddha-worlds.
pps56 -57 Flower Ornament Sutra

With the ordinary everyday mind all these names are just pretty words strung together. Later and with some familiarity and having read the above (several times and slowly) and typed it too, something has changed. Perhaps it is my cynical mind or discriminating mind that has just thrown its hands up in the air and that’s the end of it. The closest I can come to appreciating what letting go – is!

From the comments, it would seem these snippets from the Sutra are appreciated. My hope is that the habit of skimming through text, has become and will continue to be, a habit of the past. Behind Jade Mountains and within Jade Mountains sit the Buddhas benevolent presence. Made so by those who read.

Here are the first two paragraphs of the Flower Ornament Sutra. Titled
The Wonderful Adornments of the Leaders of the World

Thus have I heard. At one time the Buddha was in the land of Magadha, in a state of purity, at the site of enlightenment, having just realized true awareness. The ground was solid and firm, made of diamond, adorned with exquisite jewel discs and myriad precious flowers, with pure clear crystals. The ocean of characteristics of the various colours appeared over an infinite extent. There were banners of precious stones, constantly emitting shining light and produced beautiful sounds. Nets of myriad gems and garlands of exquisitely scented flowers hung all around. The finest jewels appeared spontaneously, raining inexhaustible qualities of gems and beautiful flowers all over the earth. There were rows of jewel trees,their branches and foliage lustrous and luxuriant. By the Buddha’s spiritual power, he caused all the adornments of this enlightenment site to be reflected therein.
The tree of enlightenment was tall and outstanding. Its trunk was diamond, its main boughs were lapis lazuli, its branches and twigs were of various precious elements. The leaves, spreading in all directions, provided shade, like clouds. The precious blossoms were of various colours, the branching twigs spread out their shadows. Also, the fruits were jewels containing a blazing radiance. They were together with the flowers in great arrays. The entire circumference of the tree emanated light; within the light there rained precious stones, and within each gem were enlightening beings, in great hosts like clouds, simultaneously appearing.

Read it once, then again – slower. Then again even slower. In so doing one can’t help but join this expanded jewelled world. Not ‘join’ as one might imagine a desirable holiday destination! Born of desire.

For me, when I am prepared to slow down, read every word, I find myself IN the bejewelled lands. Or better to say – at peace. The discriminating faculty having faded, almost, out of consciousness.

This for me is spiritual reading. Not reading to feed the intellect, just letting the teaching seep in through one’s ‘pores’. Just as when listening to a Dharma Talk – spiritual listening?

AND you might say, ‘Who, is going to do the washing up’?!!! Can we not get rather too over involved, concentrating on, daily life, as what spiritual practice REALLY IS. The Sutra has quite a bit to say on the matter.

Hi there subscribers.
The last paragraph has been edited thus:
and when I read the above and the text that follows, (and much more), I think, as I said before, This is to be shared with Jade Mountain readers AND I need to listen more carefully to my voice, to know that a mundane blog post is actually far from mundane AND it’s not about ‘me’. So here I am again.

Enlightenment Beings live in your house and your street.