Basketry

Last week I unexpectedly came across a book that I've had for at least 50 years:  Basketry, published by the Boy Scouts of America.

Scouting, at least in my troop, sought to weave a group of kids and adults into a responsible community.

I loved the craft of Scouting and earned as many merit badges as I could, as quickly as I could. And, of course, I loved the uniforms.

Now I'm a Zen student. And I'm still interested in weaving together a committed, responsible community.

Somewhere along the way, however, I lost any love for uniforms.

I mean, my Zen robes are okay. But they don't have any merit badges.

Comments

[Genju]

There are subtle merit badges sewn into our robes. The inexpressible beauty of the dharma, for me, is in how it allows us to express the literal and the subtle often at the same time.

I was enjoying this http://3.ly/XnRO yesterday. Hope you do too.

:-)

[Barry Briggs]

Genju, I just searched my robes and didn't see anything like a merit badge. But they did have a certain "holy" aroma. Time to wash them, I think!

[Barry Briggs]

Thanks also for the link the the Rumi article. It nicely brings out the "become one" teaching of Zen. Pig's eye sees pig; Buddha's eye sees Buddha.

[Barry Briggs]

Genju, I just searched my robes and didn't see anything like a merit badge. But they did have a certain "holy" aroma. Time to wash them, I think!
(Posting this a second time, since the first didn't seem to appear.)

[Genju]

Zen merit badges are invisible, silly! Happy Bodhi Day, my wholly friend.

[Barry Briggs]

Guess I better have my eyes examined!

Happy Enlightenment Day to you, as well, Genju!