Receive is misspelled
As I read the Lotus Sutra this morning I turned to this page and the phrase “put it in their head” stood out. The act of putting the Sutra on the head is a practice we copy during our service.
When we say the Verses for Opening the Sutra we lift the Sutra at the point when we say: “When we see, hear, or touch the Sutra…” While we do not actually put it on our heads, this act of elevation is the recognition that even or greatest or our most clever thought is beneath this Sutra, this teaching of the Buddha.
This morning reading this I am reminded of the practice of Jews who wear the tefillah during their morning prayer ritual. While not worn for precisely the same reasons there is the physical act of sacred text being place on one’s body. This physicality, for me is a reminder that the teaching is not separate from the actions of the body.
As we approach the Jewish High Holy Days I hope we can supportive of our neighbors who may be Jews. Greet them, honor them for their faith and practice. Remember too, we to express gratitude for the many contributions Jews have made to civil rights, protections of minorities, and expansion of freedom and equality.
Just as we could not practice our Buddhist faith without the efforts of Muslims and Christians throughout the world, we owe Jews gratitude for our ability to practice freely as well. We do not engage in our Buddhist faith in isolation.
