Wednesday, January 14, 2009

ABC Wednesday "Z" is for "Zen"

The simplest definition for Zen is 'contemplation.' I found this quote while searching more about Zen, in order to tie Zen in with my 'ice' photo. (Addendum after posting: I'm always a bit bothered when I believe to have posted something with no direct relation to Belgrade/Serbia. I ran another search about "Buddhist thought in Serbia" and surprisingly, I found this site for you to check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barlaam_and_Josaphat Looks like this goes waaay back.)

"All beings are from the very beginning Buddhas.
It is like water and ice: Apart from water, no ice,
Outside living beings, no Buddhas.
Not knowing it is near, they seek it afar. What a pity!
It is like one in the water who cries out with thirst;
It is like the child of a rich house who has strayed among the poor.
The cause of our circling through the six worlds
Is that we are on the dark paths of ignorance.
Dark path upon dark path treading,
When shall we escape from birth-and-death? "
- Hakuin, 1689-1769
Song of Meditation

15 comments:

Jane Hards Photography said...

We are as one today. My zen one hand clapping aplauds you.

Unknown said...

Very nice. I will contemplate this post for a while! Hope your week is lovely!

Rinkly Rimes said...

You must have researched this very well. And each day I learn something.

USelaine said...

A beautiful photo of nature's abstractions.

angela said...

It's a beautiful composition..and looks cold too!
My son used to say "zen, mum, zen" when I got annoyed about something...

Thank you for your email. It was put in the spam folder so took me a moment to find...

raf said...

Yet another superb image today, Bibi. Coupled with your careful selection of verse, it's a perfect "Z"!

Anonymous said...

a stunning image you have here bibi! and what lovely verse too. just perfect for today's Z! have a zen wednesday!

soulbrush said...

lovely image. what happens now, do you go back to 'a'?

Belgrade Daily Photo said...

Any idea what that black thing is? I can't figure it out.

Pat said...

BDP, yes, I do. I had first thought it was a piece of dark glass, but when I pried it loose after the photo, it was a black stone.

Thérèse said...

Quelle belle photo Pat qui n'a de "glace" que le nom.

Tash said...

A beautiful post - connecting many ideas and visuals to each other. I like that you also found a tie-in to Serbia.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! Photo and quote go very nicely together!

Anonymous said...

Looks like a great subject for contemplation. And surely if you photographed it in Belgrade, there has to be a connection? There's something to think on. ;)

Jilly said...

Your photography is super.

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