I’ve studied through the slogans a dozen times in my life;
these are my musings on the slogan currently, not a formal interpretation.
For that reason they are less about straight Buddhist teachings,
and I think able to be shared with most practitioners of other faiths or no faith
(unless yours doesn’t allow you to read any other tradition.)
If you have time and the inclination, I published the WHOLE thang here!
A slogan that has many layers for me…
My Buddha ball was sketched loosely (I sometimes make a circle in a watercolor pencil to start but sometimes sketch the entire Buddha loosely). I inked with Robert Osterman’s Jade and a 1.1 stub nib; then DS Sap green finished the his green color.
“20: Of the two witnesses,
hold the principal one. “
This slogan is one I step back into whenever someone accuses me
of feeling or thinking something that is simply not true in my heart/mind.
I find it to be comforting, and calming, which means I can act much more rationally.
False accusations seem to come up more now that people are so fearful and
on edge about politics and our collective futures and
protecting their religious beliefs and right to bear arms and abortion and
whatever the media is whipping people into a frenzy about this week…
all that crazy-making stuff that can bring out the best and worst in anyone.
When I am not particularly angry, it allows me to go soft instead of defensive
in the face of anger and be vulnerable if that is possible
(I am mindful of another persons harmful energy in the moment and may draw boundaries) or at least be open-hearted to see what is going on before I act.
It doesn’t save all situations, and I still can lose a friend if they decide to go that way,
but I can be clear and reflect honestly on what I said, check to see if I contributed to the situation even without intention to cause a ruckus, or if this is a product of
someone else’s imagination… which happens to the best of us when we are in fear.
Maezumi Roshi said,
“Put no mind before your own.”
☾
Okina Journal, with pen and ink, and watercolor.
©D. Katie Powell.
My images/blog posts may be reposted; please link back to dkatiepowellart.
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In this weekly commentary on the lojong, I am not open comments becoming
a debate for people to nitpick Buddhism or my interpretations of Buddhist concepts.
(There are lots of places for debates.) I am more interested in hearing about
YOUR life or how the lojong affected you or your practice awakening in some manner.
☾
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I teach architectural sketching,
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