As I sit here admiring the beauty of the Longshan Buddhist Temple and the presence of its numerous, well-endowed visitors, I wonder just how many of us truly exemplify the values and lessons of the Buddha - the belief that the root of all suffering is desire and that we are to walk through this Earth residing always in the present moment.
How many of us really REALLY understand the Buddha's sacrifices? His foregone material desires? His bravery? His courage? I heard he abandoned his status of royalty to find enlightenment in the forests. It is one thing to say, "Yeah, I'm a Buddhist." It's quite another thing to actually be one.
In this postmodern age, it is increasingly apparent that we are farther from these Eternal Truths than ever before. Although I would not say a reversal isn't possible, it seems rather unlikely anytime soon. Maybe, in this way, I can take a lesson from the Buddha: break out of my eggshell and be free.
I never met him, but I don't think the Buddha cares if we go to temple or burn a million incenses... for a life not awake is a life not lived and humanity still endlessly suffers.
