I AM the Dragon Who Met the Buddha

The Buddha and the Dragon

This month's painting told me many stories, and I suspect it will tell different stories to others who will encounter it.

The most memorable story was about a dragon who wanted to burn and eat the whole world. I don't know why the dragon was like that, but it is probably just because he knew he can. One day the dragon encountered the Buddha meditating under a tree. The dragon showed the Buddha his great powers of destruction, how hot his breath could burn and in fact, singed a bit of the Buddha's orange robe. The dragon said, "In one instance all is annihilated and turned to dust just by my breath alone. What power could be greater than this?". The Buddha did not reply, and simply sat there as he is wont to do, dusting off his robe of ashes, then closed his eyes in meditation.

The dragon was annoyed by this seeming nonchalance. He blew his dragon breath and set fire all around the tree where the Buddha sat. The Buddha, still not responding, kept sitting there, eyes closed in meditation, unmoved, unafraid, untouched by what was occurring around him. This baffled the dragon, for the dragon has not met anyone who was not afraid of him or the destruction he brings. "Are you asleep?", the dragon asked. The Buddha opened his eyes, looked the dragon in the eyes, smiled at the dragon and said, "No, my friend, on the contrary, I am awake." And on hearing this, suddenly all thoughts and annoyance that the dragon had were gone, and the dragon was awakened in that instance. For the dragon finally understood that he could never destroy what was eternal, that all might and all fire and all fear he brought were all a temporary dream. What was real, what was awake, did not need a blazing fire or a mighty sword, but the awakened knew not to be afraid of its own self. For the Dragon and the Buddha are one, only in seeming separate forms.

Legend has it that from that day, the Dragon transformed into the most kind and venerable Dragon, and that he still meets his friend the Buddha under the same tree, from time to time.

And so my friends, we ask ourselves, "What is the dragon in my life? What is that that I fear most?". Know that the dragon is your creation, for you are the source of all that comes to your consciousness. Embrace the dragon as part of yourself, and all fears will turn to dust.

Don't forget to make fun stories. Be blessed today and always.

Amen.