Sunday, February 1, 2009

Theme Day: Paths--Does a dog have a Buddha nature?

The Noble Eightfold Path describes the way to the end of suffering, as it was laid out by Siddhartha Gautama, later known as Buddha. It is a practical guideline to ethical and mental development with the goal of freeing the individual from attachments and delusions; and it finally leads to understanding the truth about all things. The eight aspects of the path are highly interdependent principles that have to be seen in relationship with each other. The eighth principle of the path is Right Concentration. Right Concentration means concentration on wholesome thoughts and actions through meditation.

This is my old dog Daisy, who passed away two years ago at the ripe old age of 15 1/2. Toward the end she would get tired on our walks and just sit, and oddly enough, with her eyes closed. I had my friend Melissa collage a photo of her that I'd taken with one of a Buddha statue. Do dogs have a Buddha nature? For a surprising answer to this koan, check this site: http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/2000/07/Does-A-Dog-Have-Buddha-Nature.aspx

Even more important, it's Bibi's birthday tomorrow, so drop by for a piece of cake!!

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

25 comments:

angela said...

Excellent interpretation and I think Daisy looks adorable in her zen pose..

Cynthia said...

What a beautiful tribute. Really stirred my emotions for sure...

Tomate Farcie said...

Dogs are people, too, why couldn't they have a buddha nature? Great collage.

Jane Hards Photography said...

Themes day for me are always about interpretation. Interesting concept on the theme. Daisy(adorable) transposed into the image looking deep in thought demonstrates the idea so well.

The Good Life in Virginia said...

oh my goodness Daisy is so precious in her pose...love that shot and what a wonderful keepsake of her.

and yes, i do believe that our animal kids have feelings ^..^

hugs

Virginia said...

I COL ( Cackled Out Loud) over this one. God bless your dear , dear Daisy. THis is a terrific entry for Theme Day. When I saw it on the portal, I thought you'd fogotten. Pardon moi!
V

Tamera said...

Daisy looks perfect next to Buddha. I love this composite. She looks like she was a very sweet doggie.

Happy birthday to you (in advance)!

Bob Crowe said...

Bibi, there's some big time telepathy going on here. My theme day post goes up in an hour and a quarter, just after midnight our time. Great minds think alike etc. etc. Damn witty picture, too.

And happy birthday - enjoy!

Lavenderlady said...

What a wonderful photo! I'm glad you explained...otherwise I'm thinking she was not only a sweet dog, but a very well trained one.

Petrea Burchard said...

Daisy was a darling, that's for sure. I don't know about "right concentration, but dogs live in the moment. They know how to "be here now." They couldn't be anywhere else.

A wonderful interpretation of theme day.

Jilly said...

This is perfect for today, Bibi. So original - love the sentiments too.
Daisy was a beautiful dog. Such a sensitive photo of her.

Belgrade Daily Photo said...

Aw, she was lovely, and she does look meditative in this photo! She looks like a real sweetheart.

Sally said...

So original, and so lovely!

Hilda said...

Very unique interpretation of the theme and a wonderful tribute to your Daisy. But now you have me all worried — our dog's turning 15 years old this March and I want him to be with us for much, much longer!

Thérèse said...

Cri du coeur: c'est génial.
Hommage donc à Daisy.
Amusant cette interpretation ou Daisy est physiquement plus grande que Buddha, votre amie aurait tout aussi bien pu la représenter plus petite.

Julie ScottsdaleDailyPhoto.com said...

This is a great zen shot with Buddha. What a nice way to remember Daisy. Thanks for sharing on theme day.

Debby said...

I love that picture of Daisy, and it is a wonderful image to remember her by.

Clueless in Boston said...

Daisy looks like she was a wonderful dog. I guess she represents a passage we all have to take; let's hope we all get a chance to sit quietly in the sun with our eyes closed on the journey.

marley said...

Great photo and I love your interpretaion, the most original and personal of the day :)

PJ said...

Wonderfully done, your pooch is the zen master. And Happy Birthday (I hope under all that chocolate is a yellow cake, my favorite. Yum!).

Kris McCracken said...

I do like this one very much.

Petrea Burchard said...

Clueless, I like your comment. I hope so, too.

USelaine said...

I love this. It reminds me of the gentle souls of canines I've known, now gone. They are good company.

vero said...

My husband like very much your photo, for him the dog is really cool!

raf said...

Definitely one the best photos and posts for Theme Day, Bibi. Loved it!

SPRING FASHION

 This is a post that would be better in color, but maybe not. These colors were soooo pale.