We were at the Chandrabhaga beach, and I would like to believe that it was due to some divine coincidence that today's theme for the sand art competition was the 'Sankhyamuni, Buddha'.
Coinciding with the internationally famous Konark Festival, the International Sand Art Festival is normally organized from 1st to 5th December on the sandy beach of Chandrabhaga (3 kms from Konark). The objective of the festival is to showcase the sand art done on different themes and attract tourists from within and outside the country. Internationally reputed sand artists from abroad and within the country are invited to display their sand sculpturing skills on the beach front.
What kind of a man who was destined to be a king, just by one look at humanity's suffering, gives up a life with all its power and pleasures in search of a Path that would end this suffering ?!!
But such a man did once walk this earth and he did find what he was looking for !!
Rejoice for the Buddha has found the Way. He has found the root of all suffering !!
Nothing is Good or Evil, only our attachment and revulsion to it is !
Desire not, want not !
Love all, despise none !!
Celebrate love and compassion for all living things big and small !
Do not be deluded by Time and Space !
All that is, is Now, in the present moment.
Past and Present are the constructs of a deluded mind.
Live in the Now !
Be aware of your breath, always!
Be aware of your thoughts, always!
The breath guides the thoughts.
The thoughts guide the breath.
Stay awake while others sleep !!
Sleep when others are awake !!
For their Night is your Day,
and your Night is Day for them.
The Path is not easy.
You will have to suffer and endure,
before you can find solace and peace.
And you will find not just peace, but joy and bliss,
as you liberate the Self from your self.
As long as to people and things you cling,
desire will blow you like the wind,
his snares at you, Mara shall fling.
Remember that all things come to naught,
and all beings die no matter how beautifully they are wrought.
It is your works, words and thoughts that have always mattered,
Unlike your flesh, they will not be scattered.
With you they shall cross the thresh-hold,
till thy fate in next birth they get to hold.
For your karma you will have to answer,
To the One who is your soul's sole Master
Photo Credits: Rupa and Razi Abdi
