"As pink lotuses, sweet-scented and lovely, spring from a heap of rubbish thrown in the highway,
so among those who have become as rubbish, among ignorant, ordinary people,
the Disciple of the Perfectly Enlightened One shines forth exceedingly in wisdom."
(Dhammapada, 15, 16)
The Precious Opportunity of Human Life
According to the Buddha, human life is extraordinarily precious because of our ability to reflect, to choose our responses, and to live with empathy and conscience.
However, if we don’t cultivate these qualities, we risk becoming like rubbish—losing that precious potential. The Buddha teaches that human life offers a critical opportunity to either develop ourselves or stagnate. We can either rise like the lotus, strong and beautiful, or fall into mediocrity.
The Importance of Compassion and Wisdom
The Buddha is not suggesting that the disciple of the Enlightened One looks down on others with conceit. In the Mahayana tradition, this shining forth would also emphasize compassion, not just wisdom. The Bodhisattva, the great spiritual hero of the Mahayana tradition, is described as being like a lotus—rooted in the world but not defined by it, responding with compassion to others without being overwhelmed by their suffering.
Practicing Buddhism in an Urban Environment
This imagery inspires us to consider what it means to live and practice Buddhism in an urban environment. When surrounded by noise, demands, and challenges, we have no choice but to cultivate inner strength—to become the lotus that rises above it all. City life can actually provide better conditions for spiritual growth, as it requires greater effort and commitment than living in a more tranquil environment.
The great Japanese Zen master Hakuin said, "The lotus born of fire is a thousand times superior to the lotus born in water." This striking image highlights that practicing Buddhism amidst the challenges of urban life creates a strength that cannot easily be destroyed.
Finding Beauty and Meaning in the Heart of the City
As Buddhists living in the city, we must shine brightly, individually and collectively, so that our centers and communities become beacons of hope and inspiration. This doesn’t mean rejecting the environment around us; rather, it’s about finding beauty and meaning even in gritty surroundings. I remember how, in the early days of the Croydon Buddhist Centre, we tried to see the aesthetic qualities of the flyover and the car park, finding beauty in the midst of grit and concrete.
Cultivating Strength and Resilience
But how do we practice in such environments? The Buddha offers guidance in the form of a story about the monk Vakkali, a forest dweller who was challenged by harsh conditions. Despite severe illness and difficulties in obtaining food, he resolved to flood his body with abundant rapture and bliss while enduring what was harsh. He committed to developing mindfulness, the spiritual faculties, and the factors of Enlightenment.
This example teaches us to endure hardships with dignity, self-possession, and resilience. But it also emphasizes the importance of generating positive qualities like rapture and bliss through practices such as loving-kindness (metta) and an appreciation for beauty. In our spiritual lives, we must actively seek sources of inspiration, whether in nature, art, or the beauty of the Dharma itself.
The Power of Mindfulness
Mindfulness in all aspects—our environment, body, emotions, and thoughts—is key. It heightens our awareness and helps us cultivate harmony with others. Simple acts of courtesy and kindness, even in crowded or stressful situations, are profound expressions of mindfulness. We also need to develop a deep understanding of the Buddha’s teachings, committing them to memory so that they can serve as a guiding light through life’s challenges.
Embodying the Lotus in Urban Life
In summary, our task as urban practitioners is to embody the qualities of the lotus, shining forth with wisdom and compassion. We do this by recalling the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha, and by committing to our practice every day, even in the heart of the city.