Awakening Must Continue as Bodhisattva Action in the World
The final scene of the Ten Ox-Herding Pictures shows a return to the marketplace. Awakening does not end as private peace. It must lead back among people, into a life that shares compassion and wisdom.
In Buddhism, the path is spoken of as seeking awakening above and benefiting living beings below. If the earlier process is the study of brightening one's own mind, the final step is the study of helping people in the world with that brightened mind.
Returning to the marketplace means that practice is not done only in special places. Bodhisattva action is to live among family, neighbors, workplaces, and society; to offer help where it is needed; to share wise words; and to practice compassionate conduct.
The completion of awakening is not only that I become peaceful. When each word and action in my life helps someone and points someone in a good direction, practice becomes alive in the world.
Today, may we not stop at brightening our own minds, but live a day of bodhisattva action that shares that brightness with our neighbors.
Awakening does not end as private peace. It must lead back among people, into a life that shares compassion and wisdom. Today, may our practice continue as bodhisattva action that helps our neighbors.
