It goes without saying that in order to care for, maintain, and nurture the Monastery property there are many things that need attending to on any given day. So much so that, if left in the hands of conditioned mind, it would be easy to ignore certain ones, prioritize others, or dash through some as quickly as possible.
Luckily, we have many reminders that our practice is about being Here and paying attention, and not about getting things done. Amidst the pace of all that is happening, there is always the opportunity to slow down, bring mindfulness to the task, and process, that one is involved with and to acknowledge that seeing everything as the Buddha truly is our best chance of glimpsing the enlightenment of all things.
One very simple practice for acknowledging this is in making Gassho. There are many times throughout the day that we make Gassho—entering the meditation hall, receiving an assignment from a fellow monk, before eating, and to end a kitchen clean up session to name a few. However, it can be particularly pleasing to extend this practice of acknowledgment by bringing it to as many places as one can remember to do so. Just a few days ago, I found myself making Gassho to the compost after it was turned, a darkling beetle seen on the way to the garden, and to one late-blooming white daffodil that graced us all during a retreat. The possibilities are truly endless, and with each Gassho, our attention is turned to the Buddha nature in all.
A deep Gassho to All,
David