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Buddha’s Flower Sermon
Posted by Holger:
Thank you Eugene, for your question during Satsang.
Perplexity.ai:
The Flower Sermon is a pivotal event in Buddhist tradition, particularly within Zen Buddhism. It is said to have occurred when the Buddha, instead of delivering a spoken sermon, simply held up a flower before his assembled disciples. This act was meant to convey a profound message beyond words.
Key Elements of the Flower Sermon
The Flower: Historical accounts often describe the flower as a lotus, which is deeply symbolic in Buddhism. The lotus grows in muddy waters yet blooms into a beautiful flower, symbolizing spiritual growth and enlightenment despite adversity. However, some accounts mention an uḍumbara blossom, which is also significant in Buddhist lore.
Mahakasyapa’s Enlightenment: Among the disciples, only Mahakasyapa understood the Buddha’s silent message and smiled. This moment marked his enlightenment and his recognition as the Buddha’s successor.
Wordless Transmission: The sermon exemplifies the Zen concept of direct transmission, where truth is conveyed without words. It emphasizes the importance of direct experience over intellectual understanding.
Symbolism: The flower represents both the fleeting nature of life and the eternal, formless reality that underlies all existence. It symbolizes how beauty and enlightenment can arise from adversity, much like the lotus growing in mud.
Significance in Zen Buddhism
The Flower Sermon is foundational to Zen Buddhism, highlighting the school’s emphasis on non-verbal, intuitive understanding and the pursuit of enlightenment through direct experience rather than scripture or doctrine. It is often referenced in Zen teachings as a way to illustrate the simplicity and profundity of Buddhist truth.
You are Awareness, not a person | Ashtavakra Gita
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Created: March 27, 2025
Last modified: March 27, 2025
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