OCT 21

1

Since we like to have an open discussion where we can share our common understanding and wisdom. Let try this one.

'When we see a flower blossoms, we see the Buddha,
When we see a leaf in the open, we see the universe.'
What is the meaning of this phrase? Why do we say this?

2

My shallow understanding:
'When we see a flower blossoms, we see the buddha,'-
When our heart represents the 'flower' has reached the final stage of attainment, after getting rid of all defilement, attachment and our distorted thought and illusive dreams, we actually reach the stage of Buddhahood. We see and realise that we are the buddha in its purest form. In the Heart Sutra, it says that we can

't add or subtract of its originality. We actually see ourselves as buddha.
The leaf in the open is an existance of nature or universe. It is part of the whole, the nature. Therefore we can find the similarity between the leaf and us. So we can see and are also a part of the existence of the universe. The leaf and us are the same.
My simple explanation- I may be wrong.

3

Zhuang Zi, the great sage who was famous with his dream of a butterfly.

To Zhuang Zi, he was not one to fear death or seek death. To him, life was insignificant. When we are born into this world, nobody gets our permission. Similarly, we have no control over when we are going to die. Thus, the best attitude towards life and death is to live each moment well, to live with no regrets, and derive jo

y from every moment within our limited physical life. Different people may have different interpretations of life and death. But one thing in common is that life is full of uncertainty but death is certain. Eventually, everbody has to face death, preferably with a calm and undisturbed mind.
Once a person has achieved such a high level of awareness and attainment, he will see all things as ONE- a unity of all things.
Once a person trancends space and time, he would be able to lead an easygoing yet steadfast life. One would be able to maintain a calm and clear mind under all circumstances. In this way, one will truly integrate himself with the Way of "Tao"

4

Both Lao Zi and Zhuang Zi do not subscribe to dualism. The 'Tao' does not see distinction or choose sides. It is just as the Sage sees no distinction, while ordinary person likes to distinguish things and argue with others on what is right and what is wrong. When one fails to see the equality of all things, he will start to distinguish and discriminate, just like a handful of mud would feel "inferior" when compared with a Buddha statue. In actual sense, both come from the same source, the earth. Once a person progresses to a higher level of consciousness, distinction will disappear. Right and wrong have to find each other and not act in opposites.