Blue Orchid

My neighbor and i went to the Temple Forest Monastery yesterday morning.

Since monastics are not allowed to cook for themselves, they rely on the generosity of the community to provide the meals. 5 kitchen volunteers cooked up sufficient food for 25 people. On the table were Thai curries and dragonfruit.

The monastics ate first; then it was time for the lay people to walk around the buffet table.

The 11 monks are on their annual 3-month retreat. Nevertheless, we had a sweet conversation with Ajahn Chaganando after lunch. My neighbor took a bag of apples as her offering; i took a bag full of various tick repellents. The monks live in tiny cabins out in the New England forest, which is rife with deer ticks.

I admired the orchids on the altar, and couldn't take my eyes off the blue and purple orchid.

Generosity goes round and round. I give; they give; you give.

Thank you dear reader.

Anthuriums on the Altar

At my most recent meditation retreat, 2 bouquets of anthuriums sat on the altar next to the Buddha. I loved looking at the shiny red heart-shaped flowers before i closed my eyes for an hour of meditation.

When i arrived at the meditation center, Dorothy from Hilo, Hawai'i registered me. Hmmm. Last time i was in Hilo, i went to the farmers market where anthuriums cost $1 per bunch. I wondered if Dorothy had brought these anthuriums with her. At the end of the 8-day silent retreat, i asked Dorothy, and she smiled.

Her generosity rippled out to provide this pleasant reminder of our heart practice. Loving-kindness in action.