Another Anniversary of Buddha's Enlightenment

When the morning star arose, the Buddha knew and he knew that he knew.

Then we have the tea ceremony. People bring out plates of breads which we pass among us, bowing as we receive, and teapots. This part of the ceremony is reverent and silent.

Then it's time to share poetry or stories or songs. Sometimes it will be an exercise set and sometimes just a Zen style joke.

This part brings on performance anxiety. I don't feel the need for any poetry after the reading and the descent back into social roles never seems welcome. I do not remember my contribution if any except for the year somebody asked me to lead the group through the Sun Salutation which I managed but which didn't feel natural.

With winter coming on, I've been relaxing into a pleasant little craft: making macrame bracelets from embroidery thread. The idea occurs to me to make enough for everyone there and just announce that should they want one, that is my contribution. The peaceful hours of sitting and knotting and watching the patterns emerge are a meditation and the spirit of that peace is carried in the bracelets.

But if I did make enough and if I did bring them out there, I'd probably choke somewhere along the line and decide it was all childish and not worthy.

As are all the manifestations of ego.

As we age, the meditation becomes the "real" time and the other is strange, foreign and false.

I'd be very interested in others' observances of this day on the Buddhist calendar.

Blessings to all.

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