One who is argus-eyed is extremely observant; watchful; sharp-sighted. Also vigilantly; observant.
Argus was a 100 eyed monster in Greek mythology. It’s a long story, full of drama, however in the end the 100 eyes were transplanted to the tail of the peacock.
From Wikipedia on Argus Panoptes – the all-seeing one.
In the fifth century and later, Argos’ wakeful alertness was explained for an increasingly literal culture as his having so many eyes that only a few of the eyes would sleep at a time: there were always eyes still awake.
In terms of Buddhist iconography we have Kanzeon with a thousand hands with an eye in the palm of each one. The eye (and ear) of compassion, every watchful, every vigilant. Then there is Achalanatha Bodhisattva The Great Fierce One.
Within our liturgy we have a verse relating to Achalanatha and the aspect of training involving will and vigilance:
Invocation of Acalanatha
Hail to the Mandala!
Let us so be engulfed within its praises evermore
That, by our own wills and vigilance, may we our fetters cut away.
May we within the temple of our own hearts dwell amidst the myriad mountains.
Hail! Hail! Hail!
Copyright, Shasta Abbey Press.
All in all argus-eyed turns out to do quite well in terms of Buddhist practice. All-seeing, ever awake. Buddha, the Awakened One.
Thanks to Fred in Montana for bringing this word to share one Sunday morning in July.
