Go flower viewing with Buddha

Author: Shi Jianjie
Publisher: Yeren Press
Publication Date: 2005-01-01
Features: Collected from the "Floating World" of China Times, gained enthusiastic responses from readers during serialization.
During the author's journey of practicing Buddhism, they deeply experienced the Buddha's teachings on suffering and the cessation of suffering—the Four Noble Truths: Dukkha (suffering), Samudaya (the origin of suffering), Nirodha (the cessation of suffering), and Magga (the path to the cessation of suffering). This is a book in China that combines Buddhist practice with flowers and plants. The book is divided into three major sections:
◎ The Garden of Delusions—The Phenomenon and Origin of Suffering
◎ The Garden of Practice—The Path to the Cessation of Suffering
◎ The Garden of Stillness, and under the Bodhi Tree, the eternal story of the Buddha's enlightenment—the Cessation of Suffering.
From flowers and plants to the essence of Buddhist teachings, and then to the joys and sorrows of life, the author formed the idea of "Going with the Buddha to Admire Flowers." The myriad flowers and trees in the garden also speak of the "boundless delusions" of all beings—habits like creeping figs are difficult to break and follow them from life to life. Even if one achieves Arhatship, habits still remain. And people are almost like narcissus flowers gazing at their own reflections—always centered on themselves but silent. The flowers that inspire the author to grasp the "practice awakening" are also present—left-hand incense, which can soothe the heat of wounds and treat the heat of the mind. Where can the "left-hand incense" be found? The beautiful hibiscus wall is the result of deliberate weaving. The cutting off of delusions also requires "intention"—constantly training the mind to align with wholesome practices.
The author also sees the true meaning of emptiness, the essence of the illusory world and life, between the blooming and fading of peach blossoms, and under the gaze of black-eyed susans. They see that everyone has a pair of compassionate eyes. If people can look at each other with compassionate eyes, there will be less suffering in the world! Thus, they can step out of delusions and find silence in life, just like plum blossoms finally bloom after all the leaves have fallen.
Through flowers, 60 kinds of flowers represent 60 kinds of emotions and paths of practice. Observing the heart through flowers, one sees the way to liberation from the delusions and difficulties of life. The text is fresh and elegant, with short and smooth chapters, reflecting the transcendent quality of a monk and the lingering charm of literary sketches. Simple and flavorful pencil sketches complement the serene and Zen-like meaning of the words.
Combining nature and the mind, it allows modern people with busy bodies and minds to find a place to settle their souls in the ordinary world of flowers.