The Flower

The Tathagatha was holding a flower in front of a good number of people that had come to see and listen to the Buddha’s teachings.

 That day... He looked at the flower he was holding in his hand paused in silence... and looked at the eyes of the people present...The Buddha’s silence echoed inside each mind...present moment....actually if we mindfully pay attention we could participate here and know of this experience too.

After a reasonable time he spoke...”What is this?”... Silence was broken...almost half of the concurrence rose their hands wanting to answer that question, while the others turned their heads looking at each other. The one who cut it ...a young bikkhu in charge of the forest yard ...related his experience. How he nurtured it with water, care and compassion and how he finally cut that very special and beautiful flower while reciting some mantras and give it to Him...”Do you like it precious?” he asked.

 Quickly, another person from a famous overseas University spoke...”it looks like an Amber Flush...a rose that is a woody perennial of the genus Rosa, within the family Rosaceae. There are over 100 species. They form a group of plants that can be erect shrubs, climbing or trailing with stems that are often armed with sharp prickles. Flowers vary in size and shape and are usually large and showy, in colours ranging from white through yellows and reds. Most species are native to..."

"Yes, yes!" A voice full of certainty interrupted... "The most important thing about the flower is its perfume." He  began explaining how he obtained the volatile essential oils by steam distilling the crushed petals...

"Right! Right!" Spoke the man in charge of the town's drug store... but the most beneficial thing about it is the rose hip, which  is usually used as a minor source of Vitamin C. The fruits of many species have significant levels of vitamins and have been used as a food supplement. Actually my cousin in China has used it as medicine good for stomach problems, and for controlling cancer growth...."

Long story short...all the people who spoke gave their point of view about the flower... The philosopher, the scientist, the artist, the yard keeper, the doctor, the...you name it! 

Finally the Thataghata looked for his disciple Ananda, who was pretty near to where the Buddha was standing, simply addressing him  with his gaze... Immerse in a feeling of blissfulness, Ananda looked at the flower and a smile was his answer. The Buddha echoed the smile. He had spoken without breaking his profound silence..."Ananda understood the question".