Well that frosts the cake for sure: I missed Dec. 8, the day celebrated in the Zen tradition I once followed as Buddha's enlightenment day.
Enlightenment didn't even cross my mind, where once there were pedal-to-the-metal sesshins/retreats; tears of joy and sorrow; wispy paradoxical talks that lifted me on their wings; giggling and a sense that there was something overarching and wise and humane in life.
Well, I guess I can see why the Buddhist Santa will cross me off the list of boys and girls who have been "nice."
More seriously, to completely miss it after all the years of sturm und drang I once put into it?! It's like forgetting World War II or something. Dec. 8 was important ... big time!
Worse, I don't much mind and have no need of commiserating souls telling me I can get back on the bus if only I'll consent to see and focus and breathe and ... well, do the stuff I once did so much of.
But I think I prefer to be the one others can point to as an example of those who practice Buddhism poorly if at all. "Poor bastard ... that's what can happen to you if you don't watch out!"
I honestly hope everyone had a nice enlightenment day, whether or not they remembered it.
It was busy for me. In the chatroom i moderate i attempted to encourage a user who seemed to be down and spent two hours extricating myself. They say it's a mistake to poke a bear, but i tickled a badger. lol
ReplyDeleteRoman Catholics celebrate the Immaculate Conception on December 8th. They got there first.
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