story of the sacred lotus

8/2/2019 Story of the Sacred Lotus

1/17

Danuse Murty

Produced by the Buddhist Council of NSW

For Free Distribution Only


2/17

2

DedicationTo children

We have a brief window of opportunity to take action, to preservehumanity from imminent disaster and to assist the survival of the

many diverse and beautiful forms of life on Earth.

Future generations, and the other species that share the biospherewith us, have no voice to ask for our compassion, wisdom, and

leadership. We must listen to their silence. We must be their voice,too, and act on their behalf.

From A Buddhist Declaration on Climate Change[1]


3/17

3

Sacred Lotus

The Sacred Lotus has a scientific name Nelumbo nuciferaand itbelongs to a plant family Nelumbonaceae. It is known by a numberof other names, including Indian Lotus, Bean of India, ChineseWaterlily, or simply Lotus.

This plant is an aquatic perennial, native to Asia from modern

Afghanistan to Vietnam, and to New Guinea and north Australia,and it was introduced to ancient Egypt from Persia late in theancient Egyptean history. It has been held sacred by the nativepeople for more than 5000 years and used widely by them as anornamental and food plant. Today it is rare or extinct in the wild inAfrica, but it is widely naturalized and commonly cultivated in watergardens around the world. It is the National Flower of India andVietnam. [2, 3, 4]

BotanyThe Nelumbo nucifera grows in shallow ponds, lagoons, marshesand flooded fields, with roots in the muddy soil and leaves floatingon top of the water surface. The flowers are usually found on thickstems rising several centimeters above the water. The plant growsup to 6 m in height, depending on the depth of water, and spreads

horizontally up to 3 meters. The leaves may be as large as 60 cmin diameter and the flowers can be up to 20 cm in diameter. Leavesrepel water and hence are self-cleaning, and the plant has an abilityto regulate temperature of its flowers within a narrow range, just likewarm-blooded animals can.[3]

There are a number of different varieties of the plant, with the flowercolours varying from snow white to yellow, light pink and blue. The

plant can be grown from seeds or rhizomes. The oldest seed that


4/17

4

has been germinated into a viable plant was from a 1,300-year-oldlotus fruit, taken from a dry lake in northeastern China.

Human useThe flowers, seeds, young leaves and rhizomes are all edible. InAsia, the petals are sometimes used for food decorations, while thelarge leaves are used to wrap food. The roots are used as avegetable, and rhizome is a common soup or stir-fry ingredient andis the part most commonly eaten.

Petals, leaves, and rhizome can also all be eaten raw, but without

being cooked there is a risk of parasites transmission. That is why itis recommended to cook them first before eating them. Chinesepeople have long known that Lotus roots are a very healthy foodand have been using them to promote health for many centuries.They are rich in fiber, vitamin C, vitamin B and various minerals,while low in saturated fat.

The stamens can be dried and made into a fragrant herbal tea orused to scent the tea leaves. Lotus seeds or nuts called PhoolMhukhana are used in Indian cooking. The seeds are quiteversatile, and can be eaten raw or dried and popped like popcorn.They can also be boiled down until soft and made into a paste.Combined with sugar, lotus seed paste is one of the most commoningredients used in pastries such as mooncakes and rice flourpudding.

Various parts of the sacred lotus are also used in traditional Asian

herbal medicine and the distinctive dried seed heads, whichresemble spouts of watering cans, are widely sold throughout theworld for decorative purposes and for dried flower arranging.[2, 3]


5/17

5


6/17

6

Religious symbolismFrom ancient times the lotus has been a divinesymbol in Hindu tradition. It is often used as anexample of divine beauty and its unfoldingpetals suggest the development of the soul.

The Hindu deities are often depicted with lotus flowers as theirseats, and the meditating yogis traditionally sit in the lotus posture(padmasana).

Based on the ancient Hindu tradition, a lotus flower is also amongthe earliest Buddhist symbols. It represents an enlightened being,Buddha or Bodhisattva, rising above the muddy waters of the worldand the Buddha is often depicted sitting on a giant lotus blossom.[2,4]

According to one legend, Siddhartha Gotama was born with theability to walk and everywhere he stepped, lotus flowers bloomed.


7/17

7

According to another story, a few days after he attained theSupreme Enlightenment the Buddha contemplated on what to donext. At first he was very reluctant to teach the Dhamma, as mostpeople are caught up in sense pleasures and dont want to learn the

deep truth and practice. But then he discerned a few people whohad only a little delusion and craving, and they reminded him of thelotuses that extend their stalks from the bottom of the pond up inthe air, to receive sunshine. So out of compassion he decided toteach the Dhamma to those willing to listen and learn.[4, 5, 6]

Upon a heap of rubbish in the roadside ditch,blooms a lotus fragrant and pleasing.

(Buddha, Dhp 58)[7]


8/17

8

The Buddha taught the Dhamma using words and also in a silentway, using flowers and other means. The first and most importantway he taught the Dhamma was just by living the Middle Wayhimself. Without that all his other teachings would have been

fruitless.[7, 8, 9]


9/17

9

Healing powerof the lotusSince the ancient times flowers, stalks, seeds,and other parts of the sacred lotus were known

for their healing properites. They were used as herbal medicine totreat diarrhoea, fever, fungal and bacterial infections, and weakheart.[3]

The Buddhist Tipitaka, the Vinaya or the Book of Discipline,

includes the following short story in support of the healing power ofthe sacred lotus:

Once Venerable Sariputta was suffering from fever and VenerableMoggallana offered to get him the medicine he required - the lotusstalks. He then went to a great lotus lake, and an elephant nearbysaw him and asked if he could help him. Moggallna told him whathe needed and the elephant instructed another elephant to get the

lotus stalks. This second elephant then uprooted a trunkful of lotusstalks, washed the mud off them, tied them into a bundle and thengave them to Moggallna (Vin.I,214).[4, 10]


10/17

10

Its place in thenatural ecosystemsLotus species is an integral part of thetropical wetland ecosystems. It thrives in

shallow ponds, lagoons, marshes, along the river banks and in riverdeltas. It is an umbrella species because many species of wildlifedepend on it for survival. The whole web of species, ranging fromsmall freshwater primary consumers or herbivores, to secondaryand tertiary consumers, or omnivores and carnivores, are

dependent on it for food, shelter and other life requisites. Healthcondition of the lotus is also a good indicator of the health of thewhole associated community.[3, 11]

Lotus roots, shoots and blossoms provide abundant food andshelter for small aquatic invertebrates that live among or on thelotus plants. These range from tiny zoolankton, to sponges, worms,hydras and water mites, to limpets, snails, water beetles,

caterpillars and mosquito larvae, to crustaceans and othercreatures. Its stems and leaves supply food and safe haven to avariety of frogs and herbivorous fish. Insect pollinators such asbeetles, flies, bees and butterflies also find abundant food nectarand pollen in the lotus flowers.

Omnivorous and carnivorous aquatic invertebrates and vertebrates,such as some insects, fish, frogs, turtles and snakes, in turn feed onthe primary consumers. Freshwater crocodiles also live in thesetropical wetland habitats and find abundant food and good places toraise their young. Waterbirds find among the lotuses plentiful supplyof fish, frogs and invertebrates and use the lotus leaves for nesting,and the native people of south Asia and north Australia also haveenjoyed the lotus fields bounty for centuries.

The bottom dwelling decomposers such as worms, fungi andbacteria break up and feed on the lotus plant dead parts. By sorecycling them, they help to create muddy soil and make thereleased minerals again available for the new lotus plants growth.


11/17

11

Other aquatic plants, ranging from microscopic phytoplankton towater lilies, large reeds and rushes coexist with the lotus in thesewetlands and also supply food to many animal species. Byproviding for them a variety of food and shelter, they prevent pest

plagues and also help to maintain the whole wetland communityresilience to environmental change. Hence while the lotus providesabundant services to the whole wetland community, its survival andcontinued life cycle is also dependent on it.

However, due to the current climate change the Ganges Deltawetlands, Kakadu wetlands, and other tropical coastal wetlandsmay be severely damaged through enundation with sea water. Theplant and animal communities of these places are adapted to thefresh water environment and cannot survive in saline conditions. Inaddition to this, water in many tropical wetlands is now polluted withtoxic chemicals and many species are threatened with extinction.[12, 13, 14]

Hence helping to alleviate the climate change and water pollutionare acts of boundless kindness to thousands of species that dependon these wetland ecosystems for survival.


12/17

12


13/17

13

Reflection on food

The following short reflection before meals is a helpful reminder of

the significance of what we consume and to use it wisely.[15]

In this food,I see clearly the presence

of the entire Universesupporting my existence.

I promise myself

to use it wiselyfor the benefitof all beings.


14/17

14


15/17

15


16/17

16

References1. Ecological Buddhism, 2009. A Buddhist Declaration on ClimateChange. www.ecobuddhism.org

2. Wikipedia, 2011, Nelumbo nucifera. www.wikipedia.org

3. Plant Cultures, 2011. Lotus. www.kew.org/plant-cultures/

4. Dhammika S Bhante, 2011. 1) Dictionary of Flora and Fauna in the PaliTipitaka. Forthcoming. 2) Guide to Buddhism A to Z. www.buddhisma2z.com

5. Thanissaro Bhikkhu, 2004. Majjhima Nikaya: Ariyapariesana Sutta -The Noble Search, MN 26. www.accesstoinsight.org

6. Nanamoli Bhikkhu and Bodhi Bhikkhu, 2005. The Middle LengthDiscourses of the Buddha. Majjhima Nikaya: Ariyapariesana Sutta - TheNoble Search, MN 26.www.bodhimonastery.net

7. Buddharakkhita Acharaya, 1985. The Dhammapada - The BuddhasPath of Wisdom. Buddhist Publication Society, Sri Lanka. www.bps.lk;www.buddhistcouncil.ogr/bodhitree

8. Vajira Sister and Story F, 1998. Digha Nikaya: Mahaparinibbana Sutta -

Last Days of the Buddha, DN 16. www.accesstoinsight.org

9. Hecker H, 1985. Maha Kassapa - Father of the Sangha. WheelPublication No. 345. Buddhist Publication Society, Sri Lanka www.bps.lk;www.accesstoinsight.org

10. Murty D and Dhammika S Bhante, 2011. Crisis in the Forest. BuddhistCouncil of NSW. www.buddhistcouncil.org/bodhitree

11. Stiling P, 2002. Ecology - Theory and Applications. Ch 20. -Trophic

Structure. Prentice Hall, NJ, USA.

12. Wikipedia, 2011. 1) Comb-Crested Jacana; 2) Ganges Delta; 3) KakaduNational Park. www.wikipedia.org

13. The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, 2011. www.ramsar.org

14. Wetlands International, 2011. www.wetlands.org

15. Part 1: Hanh Thich Nhat, 1997. Present Moment Wonderful Moment -Mindfulness Verses for Daily Living. Published by Full Circle, Delhi, India.

Printed for Free Distribution by The Corporate Body of the BuddhaEducational Foundation. Taipei, Taiwan. Part 2: Anonymous.


17/17

17

story of the sacred lotus

Documents