IN SEARCH OF THE SLEEPING BUDDHA

When does he awaken... where is he?

Sleeping Buddha lies buried under the sand of crumbling civilizations
pink sandstone with emerald eyes
50...100 feet tall
his face the contour of the hills
and the lines of his feet etched in rocks
sleeping through the rise and fall of dynasties
the pinnacles of art and science
harvest and abundance
drought and famine
corruption and the resurgence of superstition
his heart the heartbeat of the earth
his breath the wind moaning
through wadis in a parched land
through warm rays of the sun
and the cold breeze of death

We search under rocks and in caves in far away lands
on treks into the mountains and jungle
everywhere but in silence
the silence of the soul

The Buddha is awake, even when sleeping
but WE are dreaming
We dream of power and glory
misery and sorrow
everything in between
we dream, and have dreams within dreams

And when the faint sound of bamboo flute in the forest
grows until it fills the temples, palaces, prisons
to the far ends of the earth
then six billion people - every man woman and child
every sentient being on earth will awaken with him
when one awakens all awaken
and Sleeping Buddha is everywhere you look:

Green Buddha - covered with moss and surrounded by giant tree roots
    glistening in the rain
Snow Buddha - half frozen shadows and white in the pale moonlight
Water Buddha - coming alive among koi in ripples of the pond
Fire Buddha - flickering in the flame of 108 candles
Mountain Buddha - in the Khumbu icefall of Chomolungma
    third eye jewel reflecting the lanterns
    of monks who walk in the night
    as the wind howls

When we awaken we find him
in the song of birds
the roots of trees
in the clouds overhead
in the ethers
in matter and in emptiness
and in the radiant flower that blooms in the heart


				- *IN SEARCH OF THE SLEEPING BUDDHA*



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