the lamp of our self
The lamp contains its oil, which it holds securely in its close grasp and guards from the least loss. Thus is it separate from all other objects around it and is miserly. But when lighted it finds its meaning at once; its relation with all things far and near is established, and it freely sacrifices its fund of oil to feed the flame.
Such a lamp is our self. As long as it hoards its possessions, it keeps itself dark; its conduct contradicts its true purpose. When it finds illumination, it forgets itself in a moment, holds the light high, and serves it with everything it has, for therein is its revelation. This revelation is the freedom that Buddha preached. He asked the lamp to give up its oil. But purposeless giving-up is a still darker poverty, which he never could have meant. The lamp must give up its oil to the light and thus set free the purpose it has in its hoarding. This is emancipation. The path Buddha pointed out was not merely the practice of self-abnegation but the widening of love. And therein lies the true meaning of Buddha's preaching.
- Tagore, in Sadhana
Such a lamp is our self. As long as it hoards its possessions, it keeps itself dark; its conduct contradicts its true purpose. When it finds illumination, it forgets itself in a moment, holds the light high, and serves it with everything it has, for therein is its revelation. This revelation is the freedom that Buddha preached. He asked the lamp to give up its oil. But purposeless giving-up is a still darker poverty, which he never could have meant. The lamp must give up its oil to the light and thus set free the purpose it has in its hoarding. This is emancipation. The path Buddha pointed out was not merely the practice of self-abnegation but the widening of love. And therein lies the true meaning of Buddha's preaching.
- Tagore, in Sadhana
1 comment:
Just in time for Diwali! What a beautiful message :) Thanks for sharing the treasures within Sadhana.
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