A morning walk
I'm near Kingscliff, Australia. At the border of New South Wales and Queensland, it is not a remarkable place - but even here, it is.
My morning walk here started with a pod of dolphin diving in and out of the waves as I walked onto the beach. The surf was breaking and the dolphin would leap out from the crest and back in, and I could see the bodies of the rest of the pod inside the waves, backlit by the rising sun.... it was amazing. And the pod swam north along the beach as I was walking, playing and seeming to be delighted with the high surf. They disappeared as I came to a pod of surfers which also provided something fun to observe.
Then, in the mid-day, I walked up the Byron Bay headlands to an old lighthouse, and happened in on a volunteer led tour up the tower to just beneath the lens. Lovely site, and great reminder of the tiny chances that come our way when we get out into the world with curiosity at hand.
I'm in 'nowhere particularly special' Australia - and there is special all around.
My morning walk here started with a pod of dolphin diving in and out of the waves as I walked onto the beach. The surf was breaking and the dolphin would leap out from the crest and back in, and I could see the bodies of the rest of the pod inside the waves, backlit by the rising sun.... it was amazing. And the pod swam north along the beach as I was walking, playing and seeming to be delighted with the high surf. They disappeared as I came to a pod of surfers which also provided something fun to observe.
Then, in the mid-day, I walked up the Byron Bay headlands to an old lighthouse, and happened in on a volunteer led tour up the tower to just beneath the lens. Lovely site, and great reminder of the tiny chances that come our way when we get out into the world with curiosity at hand.
I'm in 'nowhere particularly special' Australia - and there is special all around.
Comments
The Twelve Vows of the Medicine Buddha upon attaining Enlightenment, according to the Medicine Buddha Sutra are:
To illuminate countless realms with his radiance, enabling anyone to become a Buddha just like him.
To awaken the minds of sentient beings through his light of lapis lazuli.
To provide the sentient beings with whatever material needs they require.
To correct heretical views and inspire beings toward the path of the Bodhisattva.
To help beings follow the Moral Precepts, even if they failed before.
To heal beings born with deformities, illness or other physical sufferings.
To help relieve the destitute and the sick.
To help women who wish to be reborn as men achieve their desired rebirth.
To help heal mental afflictions and delusions.
To help the oppressed be free from suffering.
To relieve those who suffer from terrible hunger and thirst.
To help clothe those who are destitute and suffering from cold and mosquitoes.