Every Footstep Is a Lotus Blossom

Have you ever wondered why some people can live through the very same difficult circumstances and remain at peace, while others sink into suffering (dukkha)? The answer lies in how they walk along the road of life. Do they walk upon lotus blossoms, or do they trample through the mud?

The worldly path and the spiritual path: parallel or opposed?

We often say that living in this world is walking the worldly road, while practicing is walking the spiritual road. But are these two paths parallel, or do they run in opposite directions? In the beginning, they run parallel. Laypeople live their lives while also practicing: visiting the temple, chanting sutras, reciting the Buddha's name. But at some point, when merit ripens, the spiritual path separates, and we must choose our way.

"The path is the light that shines for us as we walk through life. The path is the guidance that leads us along the road of life."

So do not think that life and the path are two strangers to each other. It is precisely because of the path that we know how to live in this world, how to love, how to be patient, and how to walk each step with greater steadiness.

The lotus beneath our feet

The image of the Buddha walking upon lotus flowers at the moment of his birth is a symbol of purity. But Master Thích Chân Quang expands on this: each of us, when we live in accordance with the truth of the path, is also walking upon lotus flowers. Life is a muddy swamp — full of pain, greed, and hatred. But thanks to the Buddha's teachings (Dharma), each footstep is supported by a lotus.

"We are living in a muddy swamp, but because we have the path, each step we take upon that swamp is supported by a lotus beneath our feet."

Without the path, each step is a trampling into filthy mud, and we gradually sink into ignorance. But with the path, every day we live is a day a lotus blooms. That lotus can wither if we stop practicing, or if we practice incorrectly.

Three steps of the lotus

Master Thích Chân Quang clearly teaches the first three steps for the lotus to bloom:

The first step: taking refuge in the Three Jewels. When we vow to become disciples of the Buddha, the first lotus blossoms open.

The second step: regard the temple as your home. When you have free time, return to the temple to practice, to serve, to chant sutras, to sit in meditation. Do not fear hunger — Buddhists who come to the temple always have rice to eat.

The third step: bring others to the temple. This is the greatest lotus, because we bring the Buddha's teachings (Dharma) to those who do not yet know them, helping them toward liberation.

"Taking refuge is a lotus blooming. Returning to the temple in your free time to practice is the second lotus step. Then knowing how to give generously and making offerings is the third lotus. But most important is returning to everyday life, bringing everyone to the Buddha's teachings (Dharma) as you yourself have come."

This is the path of blooming lotus after lotus, which every Buddhist can practice right in daily life.

Taking the right step, then the wrong one

Often we think we are doing the right thing, yet we go wrong at the very next step. The Master offers many vivid examples:

"Not being greedy for money" is right. But if money comes into your hands and you refuse it unreasonably, throwing it away, then you are wrong. The person who is not greedy for money is precisely the person worthy of holding more money, so that it can be used for what benefits the path and helps the world.

"Not getting angry" when a neighbor curses you is right. But if you let them keep cursing without finding a way to guide that person toward liberation, that too is wrong. You must skillfully defuse the situation, get to know them, and share the Buddha's teachings (Dharma) so they create less karma.

"Weary of noisy places, preferring quiet" is right. But if, because of this, you cut off all wholesome conditions (dependent origination) with sentient beings, then you are wrong. Wholesome connections with others are your most precious treasure. Do not throw them away.

"A wholesome connection with sentient beings is something precious. Whoever you have a connection with, that is your treasure. Do not lose it, just as you would not carelessly throw away your money."

Keeping the lotus forever blooming

If we want the lotus not to wither, we must be humble, without clinging to our accomplishments, without arrogance. Do not boast that you are a senior disciple, that you have done so many good deeds. The moment the mind/heart of pride and self-importance arises, the lotus vanishes at once.

"You accomplish something, and lotus after lotus blooms — but at this step it breaks, because of clinging to your achievements and arrogance. To keep the lotus blooming with every step, the heart must be utterly humble."

Continue to practice diligently, do each thing in accordance with the truth of the path, and always bring benefit to others. In this way, every day you live is a day when lotus flowers bloom beneath your feet.

Life is by nature a muddy swamp, but we can transform it into a lake of lotuses. Each steady step in the true Dharma is a genuine flower. Please do not let the lotus wither before the gate to the Buddha's realm opens. May all Buddhist practitioners practice with diligence, so that every step is a step toward the homeland of ten thousand blossoms.