Treasure
In our modern age there is always some new and neat thing coming out that we feel compelled to own. It is easy to become distracted from the most valuable thing in our life. That thing is your life.
There may be times when you are unhappy with your existence, or you may feel useless or like there is no hope. Yet you, your very existence is actually quite a remarkable phenomena. You are comprised of a very large collection of molecules that have come together for the sole purpose of your life.
You are nothing less than one of the greatest treasures in the universe.
In each and every cell of your body resides the Buddha, the pure land of the Buddha. Taken collectively your whole life is the sum of a countless number of Buddha pure lands. Your life also contains the sum total of all life in the universe.
You consume food, partake of liquid, receive heat from the sun, you are nothing less than the universe within your own body. You cannot exist separate from the universe. The universe is also the place of the Buddha’s land.
It isn’t always easy to see this or to believe it. Yet through our practice of mindfulness we can become more deeply aware of our connection to all the things that make up even the smallest aspect of our lives.
The Lotus Sutra is the most important of the Buddha’s teaching, the sutra that can enable us to perceive the Buddha land that exists in each cell of our body and consequently that makes up our environment.
“Why are our palaces illumined more brightly than ever? Let us find the place from where this light has come. Did a god of great virtue or a Buddha appear somewhere in the universe? This great light illumines the worlds of the ten quarters.” (Lotus Sutra, Chapter VII)
The Buddha taught many teachings until he finally revealed the one great purpose for all Buddhas; that purpose was to teach people how they could achieve enlightenment equal to that of all Buddhas.
“You were under the fires of many sufferings for the past innumerable kalpas. 
Therefore, I saved you from the triple world with expedients.” (Lotus Sutra, Chapter III)“In reality this world of mine is peaceful. It is filled with gods and men. The gardens, forests, and stately buildings are adorned with various treasures; the jeweled trees have many flowers and fruits; the living beings are enjoying themselves; and the gods are beating heavenly drums, making various kinds of music, and raining mandarava-flowers on the great multitude and me.” (Lotus Sutra, Chapter XVI)
