What Is Rohatsu?
In Zen Buddhism, December 8 marks the morning Buddha achieved realization.
We are told that, if a man called Siddhartha Gautama could attain enlightenment, so can we. Siddhartha struggled and worked for many years and tried many types of meditation and ascetic practice before attaining enlightenment. However, he didn't have computers, Yahoo, Twitter, texting, emails, IPads, apps, television, Black Friday sales or baking cookies to take him away from his goal of attaining enlightenment. But he did give up princely weath and comfort to go into the world and learn.
I think it's harder these days to even gain a modicum of stability in one's life - but it's worth trying to achieve, for what does it all mean if one cannot be content in life and understand that there is more to life than just things and more things and newer things.
To find a solid center.
That is the goal.
If you're interested in learning more, go to this short article on BeliefNet...
http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Buddhism/Galleries/Rohatsu.aspx?p=2
4 comments:
I am a devotee of the Buddha. I will spend at least some part of this day consciously practicing the Eightfold Path (which I try to practice all the time though without the right mindfulness)!
I believe I am content, but certainly not enlightened.
Beautiful, made my day. x
I could have used a little enlightenment this week! My mother was admitted to the hospital Tuesday and I've been with her most of the days every day. Tiring. She did get released yesterday afternoon and I was there to take her home and get her meds and groceries and settle her in to her house again. I hope she takes her meds and takes care of herself better this time and doesn't go back for a while! Two year's ago, she was in and we almost lost her. This time wasn't as dangerous but still chronic problems. And, of course, on top of all that, are family issues that never get resolved. Ah, for an enlightened mind to let it all flow over me like water without creating anything but a few ripples!
Laura, Caroline, Hallie: Glad you all enjoyed the post today. I'll catch up soon...
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