Holiness Is Still Here - Annie Dillard & The Dalai Lama

There is no less holiness at this time - as you read this - than there
was the day the Red Sea parted, or that day as Ezekiel was a captive
by the river Chebar, when the heavens opened and he saw visions of
God.  There is no whit less enlightenment under the tree by your street
than there was under the Buddha's "bo" tree.  There is no whit less
might in heaven or on earth than there was the day Jesus said
'Maid, arise' to the centurion's daughter, or the day Peter walked on
water, or the night Mohammed flew to heaven on a horse.  In any
instant the sacred may wipe you with its finger.  In any instant the bush
may flare, your feet may rise.  In any instant you may avail yourself
of the power to love your enemies; to accept failure, slander, or
the grief of loss...

Annie Dillard

For The Time Being

~

We can reject everything else: religion, ideology, all received
 wisdom. But we cannot escape the necessity of
 love and compassion...

This then, is my true religion...  In this sense, there is no need for
 temple or church, for mosque or synagogue, no need for
complicated philosophy, doctrine or dogma.  Our own heart,
our own mind, is the temple.  The doctrine is compassion.

Love for others and respect for their rights and dignity, no matter
 if we are learned or unlearned, whether we believe in Buddha or God,
 or follow some other religion or none at all, as long as
we have compassion for others, no matter who or what they are:
ultimately these are all we need.

Tenzin Gyatso - The 14th Dalai Lama

_/\_

~

Photo - from the internet