Friday, December 01, 2006

What is the essence of Buddhism?

Daddy Longlegs, Amherst, NH, October 2006, Pentax Optio 555, Exposure 1/30 sec @ f2.8, ISO 160, no flash © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge]

I hadn't realized how long it had been since I last posted. What a strange process -- devoted to daily posts one day, and then just drop it like a ton of bricks the next. Don't ask me to explain -- I cannot.

So to ease back into my blogging routine, I thought maybe I could augment my words and thoughts with selected quotes. Or just use them outright. We'll see how it goes.

My arachnid friend, looking at me from a dew-covered hosta, asks ...

What is the essence of Buddhism?
"Respect all forms of life, and then compassion and affection toward all sentient beings, with the understanding that everything is interdependent - so my happiness and suffering, my well-being, very much have to do with others."
-- Dalai Lama
Probably a smart philosophy for each of us, and is certainly appreciated by the little guy with really long legs. And also consider:
"In general the teaching of the Buddha is very vast and profound, it is not so simple as to grasp it in one time. If we had to summarize the complete teaching of Buddha we would see that all is included in two main points, that is:
• cause no harm to any sentient beings,
• always try to benefit all sentient beings; or, if we are not able to benefit others we should at least avoid all harmful thoughts and actions."

-- His Holiness Trijang Dorje Chang.

4 comments:

Pat said...

Yes, it has been a long time. It's good to see you blogging again! Welcome back! Yet, I would not have wanted you to return to blogging before the right time. But now, at least, my keyboard click might be rewarded with a new insight and photo again.

Speaking of photos, congratulations on getting a pic of a daddy long legs with all eight legs. That is something I have not yet accomplished.
:-)

Steven Crisp said...

Pat, this must be what friends are for. You held up both our ends in the blogosphere. I'm not sure I can ever return the favor, so let me just say "thanks".

H0n3yb33 said...

Great picture! The detail is wonderful!

Steven Crisp said...

Thanks Honeybee. Amazing what a ton of photos can yield ;-)

As they say, sometimes I'd rather be lucky than good ;-)