I’m giving away this Buddha.
The more you sense the rareness and value of your own life, the more you realize that how you use it, how you manifest it, is all your responsibility. We face such a big task, so naturally we sit down for a while. – Kobun Chino Otogawa
I ran into this quote the other day and it was like, Well, hello! Nice to meet ya! Because sometimes in my dinky little corner of the Buddhist world I feel like I’m the only one with any amount of faith. Faith in what, you ask? Well, faith in life. Faith in practice. Faith in teachers. And faith in the way that has saved my life. So I thought it was about time to share something more than my syrupy sentiments, something more than preachy how-tos and why-dontchas. It’s time for me to pull out the big guns and give away Buddha. The Buddha you see right here as a matter of fact. Free, free, free!
I’ve got Buddhas galore around here, and more on their way, I’m sure. But this little one is special because I bought it for myself to put on my home altar. It’s a teeny thing, just 5 inches of carved wood, from China, and whether it’s antique or not it’s definitely distressed, which is itself a commentary on so-called Western Buddhism and our long-suffering world. You have to bring it into the light to see the rich gold and vivid red beneath the patina. You have to see it in person to sense the rareness and value. It’s the perfect reminder to do the only thing the Buddha instructed us to do – naturally sit down for a while.
Leave a comment here by next Monday, March 14, and give yourself a shot at a Buddha you can see, feel, hold, and bring to life in your own home. I’ll announce the winner next Tuesday.
The winner is commenter number 106 – Jessy.
Beginner’s Mind One-Day Meditation Retreat Sunday, March 13
Listen to my interview “The Way of Everyday Life” on Buddhist Geeks podcast
thank you 🙂
Comment by Allyson — March 10, 2011 @ 11:57 am
Everything you say and write is a gift.
Comment by sweetsalty kate — March 10, 2011 @ 12:37 pm
my gratitude to you is deep and expansive…for the inspiration and invitation to be present fully in the sacred moment that is. thank you also for this generous offering.
Comment by melissa — March 10, 2011 @ 1:59 pm
My intention for today:
I don’t need to solve all of the problems.
Comment by Emily — March 10, 2011 @ 2:42 pm
I would love for this Buddha to grace my life.
Comment by Valerie — March 10, 2011 @ 6:28 pm
Something about the picture of this Buddha brought me a feeling of real peace. I hope I can recall the memory of that moment, whether or not I am lucky enough to ‘win’ this gift.
Comment by Anamika — March 10, 2011 @ 6:52 pm
wow. my daughter was just diagnosed with a rare, untreatable, progressive metabolic disorder (san filippo syndrome) and we are currently dealing with the emotions and grief that comes with that diagnosis. i’m at the point where i am trying to accept things and this quote was just what i needed to read today! thank you for sharing.
Comment by jessy — March 10, 2011 @ 7:35 pm
i think this lil buddha would be a happy addition to my family chaos. at least, for a season, until it was time to find a new home. ;-D
Comment by jenica — March 10, 2011 @ 7:37 pm
I think it would be nice to have him just to be able to give him away again. I’d have one condition: that whoever receives him has to give him away again. He could be an itinerant Buddha. Always traveling, yet always sitting.
Comment by Doug Frost — March 10, 2011 @ 7:39 pm
What a lovely Buddha. And distressed? Perfection. Thank you for sharing this quote. It inspires me. 🙂
Comment by Kristal — March 10, 2011 @ 7:42 pm
I began taking yoga about 6 months ago. Since then I have introduced yoga and meditation to a group of at risk high school students where I work. This would be the perfect addition to our new practice. Thank you for your generosity, not only in gifting this Buddha, but in your everyday life.
Comment by Kim — March 10, 2011 @ 7:50 pm
I always read, not often comment, but always drawn to those little buddhas. 🙂
Comment by denise — March 10, 2011 @ 7:57 pm
Distressed Buddha? Please!
Comment by Elvin — March 10, 2011 @ 8:01 pm
beautiful Buddha, beautiful quote. thank you.
Comment by Jill — March 10, 2011 @ 8:17 pm
What a fantastic idea. My home is currently lacking in Buddhas, so I will comment and throw my lot in!
Comment by Stephanie Rayburn — March 10, 2011 @ 8:46 pm
I needed this quote today. Sitting is on the to-do list for tomorrow. I’d love to gaze upon that Buddha in my home.
Comment by Emme — March 10, 2011 @ 9:24 pm
Beautiful. Please count me in. Thank you.
Comment by Els — March 11, 2011 @ 12:03 am
Beautiful post and thank you for sharing such a personal gift.
Comment by Jo — March 11, 2011 @ 4:34 am
Re-reading Hand Washed Cold. First child, a daughter, eight weeks away. Trying to have faith in how this will all work out.
Comment by Chris Brown — March 11, 2011 @ 4:51 am
buddha schmudda (gasp!) (but he would laugh)
The gift here is just the Here and, today, includes such a lovely little statue given, as is all Here, lovingly.
Yes, I would give him a good home should he travel to my house. He would have buddy buddhas here. So, I am throwing my vajra mukut in the ring along with the disclaimer that I did not pick that term off the top of my head. No, it required actual research. I go the extra mile, I tell you.
Comment by Connie Assadi — March 11, 2011 @ 7:42 am
he’s lovely.
and so are you.
Comment by wendy — March 11, 2011 @ 8:32 am
I actually often think of something to the contrary, but with the same result. As the mother of two very small people, my first reaction to most moments in my life is how special and unique we all are, but then I am reminded that every Mother has likely considered herself amazing having birthed and cared for the most precious baby..we all have these feelings of uniqueness…we all are living the same life, and I find this humbling….and it makes me thankful for my own slice of collective motherhood. And the little nuances I bring to my experience, makes it mine, so I try and be thoughtful about everything I do…though I likely need to sit and be still more often.
Comment by Ambrosia — March 11, 2011 @ 9:03 am
i love coming here. always feel so
filled up when i leave. thank you for
that.
and the little buddha…perfect.
Comment by kelly barton — March 11, 2011 @ 11:07 am
serenity now. thanks for all you do.
Comment by Pam Ferguson — March 11, 2011 @ 12:16 pm
sitting, trusting, learning that faith is as easy as breathing if only i get out of my own way. thanks for the gifts you offer
Comment by Meg Casey — March 11, 2011 @ 12:26 pm
My goodness, your lovely Buddha woke up a lot of people!
I’ll tell you why I join.
Dear Maezen, we are all Buddhas, some might just realize it somewhat more. I can never enough express my gratitude towards Maezumi Roshi, who enabled us in the west to truly realize it. As part of my gratitude, I just changed one of the rooms in my little house into a ‘founders-room’, and many great teachers now every day offer their smile to me.
Our shared heart-connection, starting on a beautiful day last November, gives me the faith your Buddha is one with their smile.
Comment by Ingrid Shugetsu Appels — March 11, 2011 @ 12:38 pm
Your words are always a comfort and inspiration.
Comment by Jenn — March 11, 2011 @ 1:23 pm
I would be totally honored to have this Buddha. It is so beautiful and peaceful looking, and I know just where he would sit. Hoping! Thank you so much for the opportunity.
Comment by Diane G. — March 11, 2011 @ 6:52 pm
Already commented once above – number eighty something, i think. I just wanted to say, these were big guns indeed and they have already found their mark in my life. Instead of waiting to see if I would be chosen to receive this statue in my home, I decided to snatch his peaceful visage and place him on my laptop desktop where he sat between me and my facebook/google habit as a gentle reminder to practice (which for me is just the nose in the belly breathing thing) instead of looking for answers outside myself. Big lessons unfolding throughout. Thank you, Karen. I like this feeling of freedom and am thankful for your push.
Comment by Susan — March 12, 2011 @ 8:28 am
So much pain and suffering and yet the image of your little Buddha brings peace and reminds me to be still and breath. Thank you.
Comment by Marlene — March 12, 2011 @ 9:21 am
I am newer to the practices of Buddhism and so I think the Buddha would be a much better fit for someone else. I just wanted to say that I think it’s wonderfully generous and I know you will keep spreading your kindness around the world. 🙂 Oh and the copy of Hand Wash Cold I ordered in the mail just arrived today and I am excited to read it! Thank you for you words and inspiration.
Comment by BreAnna — March 12, 2011 @ 11:13 am
What a lovely little Buddha. Thank you for your generosity! I would give him to my son-in-law who is searching……
Comment by rene jantzi — March 12, 2011 @ 1:13 pm
I would be honored to share your Buddha. Your writings introduced me to the path. I am working on “letting go”. It will remind me to do that and to remember my “beginners mind”. Thank you for you and your writings, they mean so much to so many!
Comment by Leigh — March 13, 2011 @ 2:21 pm
your words are inspiring..thanks for sharing your little Buddha
Comment by Linda — March 13, 2011 @ 5:15 pm
Thank you for your generosity and kindness Karen. What a beautiful Buddha.
Comment by Agnes — March 13, 2011 @ 8:11 pm
Cassandra said, “I tried to sit for 1/2 hour and I couldn’t. So, I tried to sit for 20 minutes and I couldn’t do that either.
I changed the room, I changed the time of day, I changed the cushion.
Then, I tried to sit for 10 minutes and I couldn’t do it. But, I CAN sit for 5 minutes! Now I am doing that! When I can do that for a while I will try 6 minutes.”
Love you much. M.
Comment by Melissa — March 13, 2011 @ 10:13 pm
I’ll second Lisa, your very first commenter. This right here is already the prize. xoxoxox
Comment by Katie Murphy — March 13, 2011 @ 10:54 pm
I just won one of your books on Ali Edward’s blog and thought I would explore your blog. I’m really hoping Ali sends me “Hand Wash Cold”. My word to inspire me for the year is ‘aware’ and this book seems to be speaking to me. I would really love this buddha for my garden – it’s just beautiful.
Comment by Anthea — March 13, 2011 @ 11:00 pm
Your calm and insightful words mean a lot to me. Thanks for sharing your beautiful Buddha.
Comment by Manas — March 14, 2011 @ 8:00 am
Thank you. You always seem to offer just what I need.
Comment by Andrea — March 14, 2011 @ 11:06 am
Feeling lucky.
Comment by Black Hockey Jesus — March 14, 2011 @ 7:40 pm
A beautiful offering. Such generosity. Thanks you for your insights!
Comment by Kiersten — March 14, 2011 @ 8:13 pm