The Buddha's Smile
Buddha smiled under his tree. Having attained ultimate and universal enlightenment and compassion, he could only smile. The state of Buddhahood is supreme happiness.
The Buddha's delicate smile asserts itself as the true revolution of Buddhism. Smiling amidst storms and torments represents the great transformation, the subtle mutation from a state of suffering to a realized happiness
In our meditations, in our daily lives, let's tenderly cultivate the art of smiling.
The Buddha's smile blossoms from boundless love. Even if ours does not fully spring from unconditional benevolence, at least it can gladden our heart. And to give it substance, let's offer it so that it warms certain hearts. For, to whom does the Buddha smile? To others, to all others? That is more than plausible.
Let us therefore train ourselves to smile for others. Let us discover this blossoming of lips and heart in our practice. In Japan, presenting a beautiful face is essential, because our face does not belong to us, as it is others who see it and who can rejoice in our smile. For a happier society, let us be happy in our hearts and let this peace and happiness show on our faces. Let our faces blossom, drawing support from the Buddha's.
The Perfection of Wisdom, more than a precious vision, could it also be the source of a subtle smile..?
May our smile become a new mindfulness practice.
Alain Delaporte-Digard for www.buddhachannel.tv
