Be Like the Lotus

As a lotus flower is born in water, grows in water and rises out of water to stand above it unsoiled, so i, born in the world, raised in the world having overcome the world, live unsoiled by the world:  ----Lord Buddha To Keep the body in good health is a duty, for otherwise we shall not be able to trim the lamp of wisdom, and keep our mind strong and clear.  Water surrounds the lotus flower but does not wet its petals: ---Lord Buddha

Thailand, July 2011

One who does all work as an offering to the Lord, abandoning attachment to the results, is as untouched by sin for Karmic reaction as a lotus leaf is untouched by water:  Bhagavad Gita 

Thailand July, 2011

I do not know the name of the flower. It is not a lotus flower.   But I know the above leaves--lotus leaves.

In asia lotus has a very special significance.  It symbolizes creation and rebirth.  At night it closes its petals, and in the morning, with the first shaft of sun, it opens--symbolizing re-birth.  Opening of its petals is also likened to opening of the soul to its own divinity.  The heart chakra--the fourth chakra-though symbolized with color green is supposed to be a twelve petaled lotus that opens with the awakening of love in our being.  

Lord Buddha himself is supposed to have been born on a lotus leaf.  

But my favorite symbolism associated with the lotus flower is its ability to remain untouched by the dirt around itself.  Lotus flower, a kind of a water lily, usually grows in stagnant water, often covered with algae and moss. The flower and its leaves might seem to have some dirt and muddy water on them, but the due to their inherent nature --namely the fleshy leaves---they repel all dirt.  All we need to do is shake them, and all the dirt comes off like oil on water.  In fact, I have several of these pictures with water droplets on lotus leaves.  They look like diamonds!!

Lotus thus remains a symbol in many cultures of someone that remains so pure, gives joy to the world, and yet leaves the world untainted by its narrowness, grime, and ugliness.

A hard task, but one worth contemplating on.