A Poem

Nivana or Nibbana is an important word in Buddhism. It is also the transiting word for prince Siddhartha to become Buddha. During the last two thousand years, many words is used to materialize it. Realization is one of the many words to associate with the supreme goal of Buddhist. During my course of Buddhist study, I have came across two types of realization. The sudden realization and gradual realization. Sudden realization point directly to the objective without any clear path to move along. Zen Buddhism is viewed as one of this school of thought. Two short stories will show the natures of sudden realization.

Twirling a Flower with a Smile
During Buddha's preaching at Holy Vulture Peak, he holds a flower in his hand and smile through out the entire session without a single word from his mouth. Suddenly he said,"we have came to the end of today's session, do you all understand my topic for today." Everyone unable to understand because there is no word deliver from Buddha's mouth that day. While everyone remain silent for further elaboration, Buddha's senior disciple Mahakasyapa said,"I have understood." Buddha said,"very well Mahakasyapa, that will end today's session." Without any further words Buddha walks away to end the session.

Second story is extracted from the book "The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying" by Sogyal Rinpoche.

The introduction of "Nature of Mind" is done to the author at the age of nine by his master. At that day, master is chanting while the author is sitting right in front. Suddenly his master throw him a question with no answer "What is Mind" and gazed intently deep into author's eye, author is taken totally by surprise, his mind shattered, no words, no names no thought remained --- no mind in fact, at all. At that astounding moment, his past thoughts has died aways, future has not yet arisen, the stream of his thoughts was cut right through. In that pure shock a gap opened and that gap was laid bare a sheer, immediate awareness of the present, one that was free of any clinging. it was simple, naked and fundamental. And yet that naked simplicity was also radiant with the warmth of an immense compassion

Wind And Odour
In the East, there is a rubbish dump
In the West, there is a chocolate factory
In the North, there is a deep blue sea
In the South, there is a breezing forest

When I pass by East, I bring along unpleasant
When I pass by West, I bring along craving
When I pass by by North, I bring along nature
When I pass by South, I bring along freshness

I am I, the same I
odour is odour, the changing ones