Muddy Waters

May we exist in muddy waters with purity like a lotus.  

Thus we bow to Buddha…

This is the final line of the chant at the end of the meal served in a retreat setting:

Our bow is to this very life, the life that exists in the muddy water of our karma, where all of our actions and inactions, where all of the decisions have brought us to this very moment.  

Only because of the muddy water, can the lotus flower bloom, so too because of the muddy water of our life, we can take responsibility for the karma we have created for ourselves and others, and realize, appreciate, and be grateful for who we are and for this life, for this very moment. 

Within our imperfection is perfection, and within our perfection is imperfection. We are perfect, whole, and complete as we are, and yet there is always work to do.