The Bridge Flows - the Water Stands Still!

[Shi Da Dao]

A bridge situated within the grounds of the Buddhapadipa Temple - (Wimbledon) South London. This is a Theravada (Thai) Temple financed by the King of Thailand and free to enter, learn and practice the Dhamma. Indeed, people from many different Buddhist traditions congregate in this Temple. Although culture-specific - Buddhism belongs to NO single group, ethnicity or culture - as we all approach the Dhamma in our own way. The Thai monks are indifferent to all the difference in the world and have no interest in non-Dhamma things. Sometimes I wear a robe - sometimes I do not - but at no time am I separate from the Empty Mind Ground! I carry the Dust-Whisk of Authority in the Caodong tradition - presented to me by the Buddhist Association of China. I partly accepted - and partly rejected this honour - as I have no interest in worldly objects that exist within the Empty Mind Ground as mere objects of egotistic paraphernalia. I laid-down the Dust-Whisk many years ago - as it weighs a ton - but every so often I am requested to pick it up again. What a joke it is! A proper Master has fine robes, Assistants and formal documents and agreements. I threw all these away as such objects get in the way of crossing the bridge! Even here - I am only half-way across!