You cannot recognise a bodhisattva by marks or signs. Sometimes the bodhisattva is calm and peaceful, sometimes the bodhisattva is wrathful, sometimes a joker, sometimes a provocateur, sometimes creative, sometimes a destroyer. The bodhisattva appears in many guises. He makes no excuse for his life. I’m saying “he” for convenience. A bodhisattva could be a man or a woman, adult or child, young or old, it could be the person sitting next to you on the bus.

The bodhisattva is free. He is not like other beings who are tied to fashion, manipulated by group pressure, enslaved by neediness. Therefore, he is very dangerous. What the world hates, he laughs at; what the world loves, he barely notices. The bodhisattva is a mirror for the world; the sort of mirror that the world doesn’t want to see into. Sometimes the world loves him, sometimes the world hates him. The world hates one who speaks inconvenient truth and prefers to hear soothing words that don’t upset cherished illusions.

Sometimes, the bodhisattva gets hung upon a cross. Sometimes, he gets rescued. Always there are those who love him, those who hate him, those who laugh at him, those who adore him, but the bodhisattva does not rely upon any of these. There is no true refuge in the human world. The bodhisattva does not trust in people and so he is free to help and serve them. He doesn’t seek a worldly reward.

The bodhisattva’s faith is beyond this world. He has trust in what is not impermanent, not created, not dependent. Without even thinking about it he stores up treasure in heaven. When he comes into that fortune, he gives it all away. It’s because he’s not possessive, that he never lacks for what is necessary. His frugal life is rich in spirit.

Worldly opinions come and go. When one conforms, one is lauded, but when the fashion changes, one is cast aside. The bodhisattva has no time for that kind of thing. When he’s praised, he doesn’t take it personally, when he’s blamed, just the same.

Sometimes he has the temerity to be like the child who pointed out that the king was as naked as the day when he was born, but when he does so, there will be those who want to kill him. But the bodhisattva is never a victim, nor does he follow ideals. He takes each day as it comes. When it’s winter, his heart is in tune with the winter season; when it’s spring, he blooms with the flowers; he’s at home with everything that nature sends.

Sometimes the bodhisattva is alone. After all, nobody wants to live as he does. The bodhisattva is a tough old stick. Long ago the bodhisattva made vows, but these are now merged with the marrow of his bones. He doesn’t follow rules, he has no fixed agenda. Sometimes people come to him for instructions and he tests their resolve. Many people, however, give him a wide berth not wanting their boat rocked. People associate with him and make many assumptions about his teaching without ever asking - they’d probably be very shocked, if they knew.

The bodhisattva inhabits the dark side and so is able to reflect the light. Though you try to trap him, he slips through the net. He’s always saving beings, freeing them from their own nets, but when he has freed innumerable beings, he has done nothing special. If you encounter him, don’t try to be clever. Just try to learn all you can, make offerings and do nothing to worry him, and he will give you the magic pearl.

Namo Amida Bu
Thank you very much

Dharmavidya
David

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