Universal Humanity Barbara Marx Hubbard's Vision

Quan Yin Decree

QUAN YIN, teach me of clear pure intent, to embrace my power to choose, and to illuminate my star potential.

QUAN YIN, empower me to manifest my intent through awareness of my thoughts and actions.

QUAN YIN, pour your nectar of compassion and wisdom over me to make me a vessel of strength for others experiencing life's challenges.

QUAN YIN, give me the courage to create balance in my life by showing compassion for myself first, with ego less discernment.

QUAN YIN, gift me with a mirror of confidence and humility which I may hold up for others in support of their choices.

QUAN YIN, grant me the patience to comprehend the messages and lessons from my past, that I may invest time and energy into creating forgiveness. Teach me how to transform all lessons into wisdom, knowledge, and gratitude.

QUAN YIN, bless me daily with a barometer of unconditional love and joy. Help me acknowledge that I am successful at being in my integrity as I walk life's path with peace in my heart.

Hotei , the Laughing Buddha

Hotei. Male. The god of contentment and happiness, Hotei has a cheerful face and a big belly. He is supposedly based on an actual person, and is widely recognized outside of Japan. He carries a large cloth bag over his back, one that never empties, for he uses it to feed the poor and needy. Indeed, the Japanese spelling of "Ho Tei" literally means "cloth bag." He also holds a Chinese fan called an oogi (said to be a "wish giving" fan -- in the distant past, this type of fan was used by the aristocracy to indicate to vassals that their requests would be granted). Hotei is most likely based on the itinerant 10th-century Chinese Buddhist monk and hermit Budaishi (d. 917), who is said to be an incarnation of Miroku Bodhisattva (Maitreya in Sanskrit).

Hotei is sometimes shown surrounded by a group of small children, romping and squealing in delight around his rotund shape. For many more details on Hotei, click here for story by Jennifer Polden.

In recent times, Hotei is also referred to as the patron saint of restaurateurs and bartenders. When one over eats and over drinks, one may sometimes jokingly attribute it to Hotei's influence.

ASSOCIATIONS
Small human children near his feet

Daikoku at left, Ebisu in middle, Hotei at right; Meiji Period Bizen Ceramic

I love you Buddha~

Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.
~~~Buddha

Offering #3-Flowers

When offering flowers, this signifies the practice of generosity and it opens up the heart!
Remember this when you offer flowers.....it will make your heart sing!...and Buddha's too!
: )

Offering #2- Water to wash the Feet~

Offering water to wash the feet: This is clear water mixed with incense or sandalwood which is made as an offering to all enlightened beings' feet. The symbolic meaning is purification. By cleansing the feet of the enlightened beings, we cleanse all our own negative karma and obscurations. By making offerings to clean the enlightened beings feet, we are really cleaning the "feet" of our own mind.
=

Buddhist Symbols~ Offerings

The next few days (eight to be exact) we will cover the eight offerings to Buddha. Each one has it's own relevance to honoring the Buddha. I love learning these wonderful things and sharing them on my blog.

Enjoy the next week of offerings and know that as I blog each one I will also physically honor the Buddha with each offering. Join me?


We will start with the first one............

Water...to cleanse the mouth and/or face.


Offering water to cleanse the mouth or face: It signifies auspiciousness or all the positive causes and conditions which bring positive effects. So, make an offering of water which is clean, fresh, cool, smooth, light, delicious, comfortable to the throat and stomach - these qualities are the qualities of auspiciousness.

Blessings of peace~
Desiree