Just as the lotus, born of mud,
is not tainted thereby,
So the lotus of the Buddha
preserves the realization of voidness.
~ Vimalakirti Sutra
The iconography associated with awakened mind can be violent, depicting angry-looking spirits that bare their teeth while holding up the skulls of various enemies they've slain, or sword-wielding warriors mounted on animals—a lion, bull or elephant—emerging victorious from battle.
A typical symbol of awakening is Manjushri, the bodhisattva of discriminating wisdom. Although his name is translated roughly as gentle glory, he encourages aspirants to transcend duality by cutting through it and is often depicted with a shining sword in his right hand. In my practice center, we place a handsome statue of him on the altar to inspire aspirants during sesshin. I can assure you, there is nothing gentle about it.
Though cutting metaphors effectively convey the incisive nature of a clear and determined mind, they symbolize a top-down virile approach to awakening. Over-reliance on this approach can shut down the mind rather than open it like the lotus. It is good to remember that the lotus is the classic pedestal of enlightened deities.
Dear Ms. Ivan,
ReplyDeleteWhat a pleasure it is to see the unfolding of your mazing mind here in this blog. I await with pleasure further unfolding and marvel at the hidden tangled roots that pull sustenance from below to such a bloom. I think am not alone among your readers in wanting a peek at that subterranean growth. But I take what I can get.
A poem: http://omniadeo.blogspot.com/2011/05/blade-bloom-for-diotima.html
With deep respect,
- John O.