Zen and the Lotus Blossom

”To suddenly bump into a flower that’s hot – that’s astounding.”

“If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change.” – The Buddha.

According to ancient legend, the Buddha was born able to walk, and with each step, lotus flowers bloomed. The Buddha is often depicted sitting on a giant lotus blossom.

In Buddhist symbolism the sacred lotus flower represents spiritual growth, enlightenment and purity of body, speech, and mind. The flower emerges clear and bright into the warmth and light of the sun, like an awakened mind grows naturally towards the warmth and light of truth, love and compassion. The strong but flexible plant keeps the lotus flower ‘anchored’ but clear above the muddy waters that symbolise impure attachment, craving and ignorance.

Scientists recently discovered that the lotus has the remarkable ability to regulate the temperature of its flowers to around 90 degrees F. just as humans and other warm blooded animals do – how the plant does this is not yet known. ”We had no idea that they’d be doing this,” said Dr. Schultze-Motel. Dr. Ken Nagy, a physiological ecologist at University of California at Los Angeles, said: ”To suddenly bump into a flower that’s hot – that’s astounding.”

“Nobody sees a flower — really — it is so small it takes time — we haven’t time — and to see takes time, like to have a friend takes time.” – Georgia O’Keefe.

The lotus (Nelumbo nucifera), also venerated in the Hindu tradition, is native to Asia, and is the national flower of both India and Vietnam. The sacred blue lotus of Ancient Egypt is a type of water lily (Nymphaea caerulea). The lotus is a common symbol of purity and elegance in ancient Chinese poetry. Confucian scholar Zhou Dunyi said: “I love the lotus because, while growing from mud, it is unstained”.

According to the Lalitavistara – a sacred text of the life of Buddha: “the spirit of the best of men is spotless, like the new lotus in the muddy water which does not adhere to it.”

♥ The Lotus ♥ – a meditative video by Spirit on Sound

A beautiful peaceful study of lotus flowers with music by Emile Koelink from Beyond Psychology. (Duration = 5.27 minutes)

Compiled by Zen Moments with additional information from
Wikipedia , The New York Times and “Buddha Mind”

Recommended Read from Zen Moments Bookstore:

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Average customer review:

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The Art of the Japanese Garden is a valuable resource for anyone interested in gardening, landscape design, and Japanese art and culture.” Amazon