Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Indra's Net

Indra's Net
Indra's Net is a Buddhist metaphor to show the interdependence of all things. The Net of Indra is a jeweled net, each reflecting upon each other. Each jewel representing a single life, or teaching or being. We are reflections of each other. All the world's great teachings are but a reflection of each other. Touch one jewel in the net and you have touched them all...reflected in them all.

Bushido
This became so apparent to me a few years ago. I was preparing to facilitate a Men's Wellbriety Group with my coworker, Gina. When I walked into the group room she had already posted the 7 teachings of the Grandfathers. Gina is an addictions counselor and a member of the Mohican Nation. As she had them listed on the white board and we began discussing them, it flashed into my head, "This the Bushido Code of the Samurai." Almost the exact same 7 Virtues.

Caduceus
A few days later as I was reading about the energy systems of the body, more commonly known now as Chakras. This term borrowed from the yogic traditions shows 7 chakras each with a set of qualities...and you guessed it...they were almost identical to the 7 Teachings and the 7 Virtues.  Chakras were not only known in India, but have been referenced in the cultures of the Andean shamans, the Navajo, and even the Jewish traditions...the 7 Stars of David. Even the ancient Greeks knew of the 7 energy centers as evidenced in the medical symbol the caduceus.

Chakras
Everything is a reflection of each other. Indra's Net. I found this interesting and provided some fun popcorn for my brain.

Hands palm to palm,
Shinzen

2 comments:

  1. Hi Shinzen, it's been a while since your last post, and... wonderful post! It reminds me of an old saying that we are all mirrors to each others, and perfect mirror reflect the whole universe; and when two perfect mirror face each others, there is infinity.

    Allow me to add; 7 color of rainbows, and 7 fairies (it's local folklore here).

    And my wife added, uh, 7 deadly sins :p

    It's nice to see you post again. I hope all is well.

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  2. Thanks Rizal. Great to hear from you and thanks for the reflections of 7...good ones.

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