The Fragrance of Orchids

The Fragrance of Orchids

Life leads the thoughtful man on a path of many windings.

Now the course is checked, now it runs straight again.

Here winged thoughts may pour freely forth in words,

There the heavy burden of knowledge must be shut away in silence.

But when two people are at one in their inmost hearts,

They shatter even the strength of iron or of bronze.

And when two people understand each other in their inmost hearts,

Their words are sweet and strong, like the fragrance of orchids.

Confucius

The End.

BoSt Galleries- Pathways

BoSt Galleries- Pathways

There was once an ancient Chinese Zen master who never gave teisho, or dharma talks. The monks, however, pleaded with him to give teisho, and one day, finally, he agreed. When it was time, he walked into the dharma hall, offered incense and prostrations in front of the altar, and then took his seat. After a few minutes he slowly got up, bowed, and left the dharma hall. The poor monks were all puzzled, and next time they saw him asked: “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I’m not a dharma teacher,” he responded. “I am a Zen master.”

Zen Mondo

A monk once drew four lines in front of Ma-tsu. The top line was long and the remaining three were short. He then demanded of the Master, “Besides saying that one line is long and the other three are short, what else could you say?”

Ma-tsu drew one line on the ground and said: “This could be called either long or short. That is my answer.” 

ZEN MONDO

The End.

Nature's Abstract Art 10

Nature's Abstract Art 10

“Don’t dwell upon colors to bring forth the mind; don’t dwell upon phenomena of sound, smell, taste or touch to bring forth the mind; dwell nowhere and bring forth the mind.”

DIAMOND SUTRA

“When the Ten Thousand

things are seen

in their Oneness

we return to the Origins

where we have always been.”

SENG-TS’AN

“The symbol is to express an idea and is to be discarded when the idea is understood. Words are to explain thoughts and ought to be silenced when the thoughts are already absorbed.” 

HU SHIH

The End

Tall Ships 2013

Tall Ships 2013

We live in a fast paced world where everything happens in nano-seconds and we often require a special appointment just to smell the roses. 

Then , one day, taunting us from the horizon magnificent tall ships appear on the lake under full sail, gradually drawing nearer and nearer, to eventually dock in Toronto Harbor  These romantic representatives of a time when everything was simpler and moved at comparative snail’s pace, when the water and air were pristine, proper decorum prevailed and the food was still wholesome extend their welcome mats for all visitors to venture on-board and mingle with the crew. 

 It is a truly delightful reprieve from the hectic modern pace.

The End