Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
April 30, 2008 by josesiem
Namo Amitabul (Amitabha)
Namo Kwan Se Eum Bosal (Kuan Yin)
Namo Ji Jang Bosal (Ksitigarbha)
Namo Seokeomoni Bul! (Shakyamuni)
The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are projections of our minds — and so is everything else. The idea that they don’t really exist is also a projection based on our high valuation of scholars, the modern historical method, and scientific materialism, in which we’ve been steeped since day one of our lives. Which is a more skillful projection? I’d take the former any day, because it reminds me of what’s possible, who I want to become — afterall, I am becoming something, may as well make it pleasant and beneficial for others.
If we look at our lives we can see these Bodhisattvas and Buddhas manifesting in various ways. In my opinion Bryon Katie is a clear manifestation of a Buddha. Throughout my life certain teachers would manifest suddenly: Thich Nhat Hanh, Joko Beck, the Dalai Lama, etc. (If I were to name all my kind teachers it would make a long list!) Isn’t it possible we may actually meet Amitabha or Kuan Yin? I couldn’t have imagined such a bodhisattva the magnitude of Thich Nhat Hanh, but he reached down low into samsara and is delivering countless beings with his skillful teachings and great compassion.
All my gratitude and praise to these Buddhas and Bodhisattvas emanating immense kindness, non-discriminating compassion, and stainless wisdom to us suffering fools. May they continue to turn the wheel of dharma and be our kind teachers forevermore.
