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Su Dong-Po of the Song Dynasty writes in his poem "A Stay at Dong-Lin Temple": "The sound of the streams is the broad and reaching voice, and what are mountains but the cleansed body?" When the Buddhist practitioner’s state of inner Zen becomes one with the great outdoors, there is a feeling of unhindered movement and flow between the two. One then begins to hear the gurgling waters of the mountain streams as the preaching voice of the Buddha, and sees the slopes and peaks of the mountains as the purified Buddha body.
Everyone who practices or studies Buddhism – in particular, Zen – develops a sense of fondness and harmony toward each bloom and blade of grass in Nature. Those who live in the city should not remain entrenched in the hassles of this Saha World, but should sometimes change their pace and step out into nature. Listen as the babbling brooks flow through the valleys, the birds chatter and sing in the meadows, and the pines murmur in the wind. These are the melodious odes to Nature’s marvels.
My friends, when you indulge in parties and linger in places of amusement, you may lose the Dharma characteristics that are a natural-born gift to humankind. White clouds against the blue sky, calm lakes mirroring hazy mountains, jagged peaks and rolling hills, ancient pines and oaks – each is a Dharma appearance of universal harmony and unity. Have you tried to experience them lately?
A large portion of Buddhist sutras and scriptures are devoted to the natural beauty of worldly seasons. At times, the words transcend the realm of art, and stir in their reader an appreciation of Nature. The words may be, at the same time, applied to the ceaseless cycles and flow in the realm of Truth and Being. When the Buddhist follower transforms his ignorance into realization, all objects and appearances become one in essence. The Buddha body is present in nothingness, and is everywhere and yet nowhere. All consciousness is a manifestation of the Buddha nature.
The clouds, rain, hills, rivers, earth, and trees are simply representations of the Buddha nature in the Zen Buddhist’s mind. The sights of Nature even prompt the Bodhisattvas to fully realize their compassionate souls and bring salvation to all sentient beings. When He sees a river, the Bodhisattva wishes for us to cultivate good will, and be cleansed of the dust of ignorance. If the Bodhisattva happens upon an orchard, He hopes for the weeds of passion to be cleared from our inner garden of the Five Desires. When he gazes at a grove of Bodhi trees, He prays for us to part from lust and greed, and be forever untroubled by fear or sorrow. If He sees a garden or farm, the Bodhisattva hopes for humankind to diligently follow Buddhist practices – to emulate the Buddhas and gain an awakened consciousness, or Bodhi.
The joys of Nature is being far away from troubles and noise, helping us to transcend everyday, worldly thoughts. Everything thus becomes tranquil and refined. So why not put aside some time to go into nature and experience a more pure form of living? It will inspire your mind, and bring you the infinite benefits of Zen.
