Early tribute

The Lotus flower shudders

When the Sun brings forth his light.

She droops her head in slumber

To dream in wait for the night

The moon is the Lotus' lover.

He wakes her with bright grace

Before him she will gladly uncover

Her flower's devoted face.

She shines and glows and blossoms

And mutely gazes above.

She sighs and weeps and trembles

With love and the woe of love.

Heinrich Heine, 1797-1856

By means of microscopic ....

Woodblock print by Nishimura Hodo (1930s)

By means of microscopic observation and astronomical projection the lotus flower can become the foundation for an entire theory of the universe and an agent whereby we may perceive Truth.

Yukio Mashima (1925-1970)

"How can I find the Way?"

“How can I find the Way?”

Yun-men Wen-yen: “Start walking.”

If you sleep ....

"A Lotus Flower Just Rose Under Water" by Wu Bin (Ming Dynasty)

If you sleep,

Desire grows in you

Like a vine in the forest.

Like a monkey in the forest

You jump from tree to tree,

Never finding the fruit –

From life to life,

Never finding peace.

If you are filled with desire

Your sorrows swell

Like the grass after the rain.

But if you subdue desire

Your sorrows shall fall from you

Like drops of water from a lotus flower.

Buddha

Early tribute

“... its constant use as an emblem seems to result from the wheel-like form of the flower – the petals taking the place of spokes, and thus typifying the doctrine of perpetual cycles of existence’

Sir Monier Monier-Williams (1819-99)

'Flowering Lotus' by Ohara Koson (1877-1945)

"Your heart is full ...."

Your heart is full of fertile seeds, waiting to sprout. Just as a lotus flower springs from the mire to bloom splendidly, the interaction of the cosmic breath causes the flower of the spirit to bloom and bear fruit in this world.

Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969)