Polishing Gems
The area of North Carolina around Charlotte is rich in gems and there are many active gem mines where as an amateur you visit and actually mine for gems yourself. There is even a town called Hiddenite. One of the largest gem quality emeralds was discovered in North Carolina in 2009 and is compared to the crown jewels of the Russian empress Catherine the Great.
As you probably know, gems are not found in a finished state, they still need to be cut and polished in order to bring out even greater beauty that is ‘hidden’. Skilled masters who have developed an eye for seeing the beauty that lies tucked away inside the raw gem do the cutting and polishing.
“The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.” (Chinese Proverb)
If we lived a life of complete ease we would not be sufficiently motivated to make changes necessary for revealing our enlightenment. We would probably think to ourselves, ‘life is good, why change?’ Because we have sufferings, because we have imperfections that sometimes become painfully obvious, we can be sufficiently motivated to do the good and hard work to make modifications so as to ease our difficulties.
It is important to always keep in mind that our experiences are a result of our behaviors, and that by changing our behaviors we can begin to experience new things occurring. Our troubles, our challenges are not the result of some being outside ourselves inflicting punishing lessons, they are solely the result of our own actions. Because of this truth we can have the assurance that when we make a fundamental change it will have an immediate impact on our experiences. We make the change not to appease something outside our own lives, we make the changes because that is where the root of suffering resides.
“Great Saint, turn the wheel of the Dharma and reveal the reality of all things! Save the suffering beings and cause them to have great joy!” (Lotus Sutra, Chapter VII)
The Buddha appeared, lived his life as a prince, abandoned that life, endured hardships, sat under the pipal tree and attained enlightenment. Even after doing so he struggled with the difficult path he would endure if he tried to share his discovery. Know that he would be unable to fulfill his original vow as a Buddha if he did not share his enlightenment he taught first the Four Noble Truths, and then the Eightfold Path. Finally at the ending phase of his life he revealed the ultimate truth that all people are equally endowed with the Buddha within their own lives.
“Now you have appeared for the first time after a long time, and become the eyes of the world. You have appeared in this world out of your compassion towards all living beings, and finally attained perfect enlightenment. We are very glad.” (Lotus Sutra, Chapter VII)
We should not become discouraged if things don’t always seem to be easy or to go our way. Never doubt that inside you lies the largest Buddha in your life waiting to be polished, cut and enjoyed as enlightenment.
