© 2024 KVNF Public Radio
MOUNTAIN GROWN COMMUNITY RADIO
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

The Mystic's Almanac - Where Is Buddha?

Image: "Soul Sailing" by Missy Rogers
Missy Rogers

Close to dying, Papaji asked his closest disciples, "Where is Buddha?"

By Dr. Judith Boice

In the hospital for a severe asthma attack, Papaji knew he was close to dying. Barely able to breathe, he suddenly sat up and spoke with a force that overtook his desperately blocked airways. "Where is Buddha?" he shouted. "Don't know Buddha; let it in." Papaji was pointing to the heart of Buddha's teaching, to awaken in the physical world and engage in life rather than praying to be saved from it. Instead of contemplating Buddha, bring the teaching alive inside myself. I thought of the Zen koan, "If you see the Buddha in the road, kill him." Over time, though, I began to understand that seeing Buddha meant I perceived her outside myself. Where is Buddha? Wake up! Buddha is here, now.

The Mystic’s Almanac is a collection of commentaries by Dr. Judith L. Boice, N.D., L.Ac., author, international teacher, naturopathic physician and acupuncturist.
Related Content