This is an image of Manjushri I acquired through the Portland Buddhist Priory.
A little different than the Image we normally see of with the sword that cuts through delusion.
This is Manjushri and the beast. The beast represents the self and Manjushri is atop the beast, having conquered the self, holding in the heart of wisdom scripture one hand and the other hand in the teaching mudra. A nice addition to my home office.
May all be well and happy,
Jordan
5 comments:
I like that statue. It's much more accurate than the sword one.
The beast is still there but it's no longer a problem - it's a pet/companion. They live together in peace(!)
I think that both images are useful. Depending on where you are at a given point in space and time.
Thank you for stopping in, I would like to see your blog roll to know who you are reading. Allot of your posts seem directed at someone and without having the context it is difficult to make out. (some of us are still a bit slow)
Take care,
Jordan
It's true both images are useful. The sword one however can create a warrior-like attitude and that is not so much the direction.
OBTW You continue to stun me with the amount you know about Buddhism. I feel like a dumb jock at times when I read your posts on various boddhisatvas....
My posts are not really directed at anyone in particular although some might be inspired by events elsewhere at a point in time. It's more often a writing style than anything...
I don't tend to carry a blogroll anymore because then some people think it's an endorsement and soem think it's a slight if they are not on the list. It does vary from time to time.
FYI the list of places that I visit regularly are:
treeleafzen.blogspot.com
asuradharma.blogspot.com
fukan-zazengi.blogspot.com
gantsazen.blogspot.com
hardcorezen.blogspot.com
with rare visits to:
gudoblog-e.blogspot.com
flappingmouths.blogspot.com
oherosan.blogspot.com
And that's about it for ones that anyone can view. Unless I've forgotten some.
I've been thinking about troops on active duty at this time of year.
I came accross this fun pieve about Uk troops in Afghanistan on active duty. It takes their minds off the getting killed....
Moustache growing competition
Yesterday I thought one way, today the other...
I am conscious that from time to time I still have thoughts that are constucts that explain but are not reality.
I had a conference call booked today but the guy cancelled it again due to other deadlines.
I know him. I've no reason to disbelieve him.
And yet still the mind paints a picture that is not there and 'explains' why he hasn't called 'me'.
It's a delusion. It still happens.
The difference is that it happens a lot less than it used to and I cannot take it seriously any more by believing in it or giving it credibility.
I like to think of it as a talking mouse on my shoulder. Once you know it's just a mouse what it says isn't important anymore.
Many taoist texts talk about "real people" walking in the darkness or dark places or walking/living amongst demons. There is a clear emphasis that they have conquered by not fearing them not by killing them. Most people avoid the darkest reaches of their mind and the source of the delusions.
That's why I like the beast statue. It shows a different view.
Chinese proverbs talk about inviting the dragon in for tea rather than trying to slay it.
It's a balance of the two. Some delusions are removed or slain and the source of many can be removed. Yet the reality is that our brains create patterns out of noise. Create meaning where there is none. It's biology. There is no way to stop it. All you can do (past a certain point) is recognise it for what it is and take it under advisement.
I'm tired. I' rambling.
Take care.
MikeDoe,
OBTW You continue to stun me with the amount you know about Buddhism. I feel like a dumb jock at times when I read your posts on various boddhisatvas....
This is kind of an addiction of mine. Also (according to my wife)related to why I am so bad at math, I always want to know why. Just knowing that Quan Yin is the saint of compassion is not enough for me. I want to know how she became the saint of compassion, Then you get down to the drama, it is like a buddist soap opera. In one story Quan yin used to be a dude (she got a sex change in china) and was also a king who was unable to conceive a child with his wife. Enraged he ordered mass execution of children. On hearing the Buddha’s teaching Avalokiteśvara became a monk and was enlightened. We often see images of Avalokiteśvara surrounded by children, reminders of a past life?
My posts are not really directed at anyone in particular although some might be inspired by events elsewhere at a point in time. It's more often a writing style than anything... so are you addressing yourself then?
I don’t really care about being slighted, It is like an offering, If I do not accept the slight than it is the giver’s to keep. But I understand where you are coming from on the endorsement thing. I took down some links because I found some of the stuff contained therein to be something I would not want my mom to look at. I think that is a good rule of thumb. If you can’t share it with your mother, why would you direct anyone else to see it.
I see, you visit a lot of my favorites as well.
On my last float a lot of us grew moustaches as well, but keeping within our regs it would be impossible to compete with the Britts.
The dragon in Taoism often is a representation of change. The only thing that is constant. The parable is to accept that things change.
Today is not like yesterday.
The last bits of your post cause me to think you have your own genjo koan in the making.
Those who have great realization of delusion are buddhas; those who are greatly deluded about realization are sentient beings. Further, there are those who continue realizing beyond realization, who are in delusion throughout delusion
Take care, please rest well, and thank you for posting.
Jordan
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