From mud to beauty is the lotus flower. The lotus flower is a major symbol of Buddhism and Buddhist practice because the Buddha taught us that just like the lotus flower seed starts in darkness and filth, likewise does our ignorant and angry minds. But with proper care, a good environment, and the desire to get out and embrace the light, the lotus flower blooms and releases a beautiful fragrance for all to enjoy. We too can get out of the darkness and find the light. We practice Buddhism to find, accept, and escape our suffering and to help all sentient beings escape their suffering. The lotus flower needs mud and water to survive and grow. If we plant the seed in cement or sand, the lotus will never had the opportunity to flourish and escape its shell. Likewise, if we don’t give ourselves the opportunities and tools to grow and escape our shell, we will be prisoners of our own suffering.
