Banani Ray - Buddha’s Smile: Buddha Mind, Zen Living and Mindful Way of Life

The word Zen essentially means meditation. In Sanskrit the word meditation is called Dhyan, which in Pali language became Jhana, and subsequently, Jhana became Zhena, and Zen in the later time. Meditation is the central theme of Zen living, but in Zen living, meditation does not end on the meditation-cushion. It is meditation incorporated into life. It is living life here and now, mindfully, as taught by the Buddha. It is concentration and mindfulness applied in ordinary activities of everyday life.

It is enriching life by the calm and peace that meditation helps to blossom. The words meditation and Buddha have almost become synonymous. Buddha Mind is the grandest epitome of purity, compassion, awareness and peace a sublime height what meditation can help us attain. In this book of poems, the themes move around Buddhas teachings on mindful living, the Buddha way, joy of mindfulness, witnessing the drama of life, meditation and realization of our Buddha nature. But why such a name Buddhas smile? Sure, a radiant smile adorned the face of the Buddha after he attained enlightenment. Who were the fortunate ones that saw the Buddha smile? How fortunate the shepherd boy or the girl of Uruvilva was, who saw the smile lighting his face after he attained Buddhahood! It was not an ordinary smile.

It was a smile of triumph against Mara, the commander of Ignorance. It was a smile of relief that comes from cutting asunder the bondage that enslaves humans life after life. It was a smile of assurance of finding the path to the end of suffering. It was the smile of kindness from a heart that dreamt of freeing all the sentient beings from the net of Maya. It was a smile of repose of one that has reached Nirvana, the highest beatitude. This smile was the fragrance of his Buddha Nature uncovered.

It never left him ever since. I believe, this faint smile, like a fragrance of a distant flower in the springtime, lingered on his face all his life after he attained Buddhahood. This smile was the reflection of a compassionate heart that reached to thousands of suffering beings in his lifetime as it continues to reach millions and will reach many more in the ages to come. Buddhas smile is like a never-fading light. It is like the rays of the morning Sun. It is non-assertive, non-possessive, non-controlling and unassuming.

It flows to you and illumine your world, only when you are ready and willing to receive it, only when you open your window. I have ever been fascinated by it. It had been my constant companion; it had been my inspiration to live the life I lived. If you ever find this blessed smile, then hold on to it, and never let it go. It will take you long along the path. My will was to fill the empty pages with that immaculate smile of the Buddha.

It was not a deliberate effort, though. Over the years I painted them, capturing those smiles in these poems, as the spontaneous outpouring of my heart. I never hoped to find perfect words as expressions of his immaculate smile or to capture it in poems that would create the illusion that all has been said that can possibly be said on the subject. I rather played with the theme in the following pages, as the blessed smile illumined my heart, my life and my world. Buddha was the most wonderful person, the most perfect, I daresay, that ever walked on the earth. I love and adore him, not as a prince and prophet, or a saviour, but as a companion in everyday life who showed how to live on earth and go beyond; who showed how to live on earth but still not be stained by the earthly grime.

His was a magical life, and the magical smile continues to captivate millions. Welcome, dear readers! Welcome to savour the smile of the Buddha! Banani Ray, January 9, 2016 Buddhas Smile

Pure and Simple

Begin to live your life now, And happier you become; Row gently along the stream With a happy smile and calm. Life will be filled with gifts Of joys wholesome. Never crave for more and, Buddha mind will blossom. Be grateful For simple pleasures, For the beautiful moments That life offers. Be grateful For what you have A flower in your hand Or a song you love.

Sit in silence And respect your being; Listen to the song That your soul sings; It is the silence in the core Of everything living. It is the song of grace, A happy outpouring. Listen to this song, And stop wandering; Listen to this song, And live like a king. -:-

Ancient Law of Happiness

Be happy that you have your eye You have the full moon and the entire sky; Behold happily and do not moan, Do not want to possess, do not own. The moment you possess, happiness die.

Watch Your Breath

If you wish your heart To be bright, dear friend, Like the sky in the morning Sun Then come out of the crowd And surrender to the moment Surrender in effortless abandon.
Its simple and fun, But easier said than done, Be mindful of your breath.
Its simple and fun, But easier said than done, Be mindful of your breath.

Watch your breath as it is born And watch it till its death. Its simple, and hence so difficult. No hardship, nothing to exalt; It is the pure art of being, What the Ego, your servant Absolutely distastes doing. Its not worth my mettle, it says. I thrive in difficult jobs always. Give me some tasks demanding, One that requires courage and toiling; A job that needs intellect and fighting.