Black-Nosed Buddha
A nun who was searching for enlightenment made a statue of Buddha and covered it with gold leaf. Wherever she went she carried this golden Buddha with her.
Years passed and, still carrying her Buddha, the nun came to live in a small temple in a country where there were many Buddhas, each one with its own particular shrine.
The nun wished to burn incense before her golden Buddha. Not liking the idea of the perfume straying to others, she devised a funnel through which the smoke would ascend only to her statue. This blackened the nose of the golden Buddha, making it especially ugly.
My Musings
Like this nun, we become so enamored of our own ideas that we lose sight of the goal itself. Rather than enjoying her golden Buddha, she became possessive and controlling. She also forgot about the interconnectedness of the world. When you bless something, the blessings spread to others. Her desire to keep the blessings between herself and her Buddha ended up disfiguring her statue. Her treasure was ruined, due to her isolation.
Writing Applications
When we come up with a unique idea, a great story, or an awesome lead, we are tempted to keep it to ourselves. We do not wish to share, for fear that someone else will take part of our benefit or enjoyment. This is foolhardy, and self-destructive. Our writing is not an isolated incendent. It is part of the history of literature, of the community of the world. Whether it has been published or not, we are contributing to our culture, and our words will benefit other people that we will never meet. To keep our writing to ourselves is to prevent others from receiving a blessing. It also keeps us from the joy of blessing others.
When you write, be unafraid to share it with the world. Do not let your own inhibitions or perfectionism keep you from enjoying your gift of writing. You have been blessed with the gift of crafting words. Pass it on to others, who may need to hear what you have to say.
