Page 6 - EMERGE MANUAL 2024
P. 6

THE GOLDEN BUDDHA













           Excerpt from Radical Compassion
           By Tara Brach


           Within  the  walls  of  a  Thai  Monastery,  existed  a  giant  statue  of  the
           Buddha made of plaster and clay. This statue had survived centuries

           of storms, changes in government, and political turmoil. Although the
           statue  wasn't  particularly  beautiful,  it  was  deeply  revered.  In  its

           presence, people felt a soothing sense of comfort and familiarity.



           In 1957, the time came for the Monastery to receive some renovations.
           In  preparation,  the  monks  were  planning  to  move  the  statue.  It  was

           dry season and the air was particularly hot and arid. As the process

           began, one monk noticed a large crack on the surface of the statue.
           Curious,  he  beamed  a  light  inside.  Upon  peering  in,  he  discovered  a
           golden  light  emanating  from  the  crack.  Immediately,  he  shared  his

           discovery  with  his  fellow  monks.  Shortly  after,  a  group  of  them

           gathered with hammers and chisels to chip away at the plaster clay.
           Soon, the group's efforts revealed a great, great treasure: the statue

           was  made  of  solid  gold.  Historians  believe  the  statue  had  been
           covered  several  hundred  years  earlier  in  order  to  protect  it  from  an

           attack by the Burmese Army. This is the largest golden statue of the
           Buddha known to exist today.



           What I love about this story is that the statue was purposely covered

           over with plaster and clay so it could survive difficult years. Much in
           the  same  way  we  cover  our  own  innate  goodness  with  defense

           strategies and coping mechanisms in order to survive difficult times.







                                                     EMERGE 2024
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