Today's Temple Wisdom (Patreon)

Hey hey, Everyone 👋 I hope you are well considering everything. I know it's a lot. *hugs*

Yesterday, I went for a little walk in the respite between rainfalls. I took a different route than usual. This one had me passing a temple.

If you (or when you) visit Japan, not all temples, mind you, but some have these outdoor bulletin boards where they post various messages about upcoming events or festivals related to the temple or neighborhood. For years, I just walked on by. But I've started to stop and read them. I've found quite a few also have these little slips of washi paper brushed with some poem (haiku or tanka) or just words of wisdom. The one above is changed monthly. You can see in the upper left hand corner rokugatsu / 六月 / June. And the monk who made it watercolored some hydrangeas and what looks like falling rain. Totally what I talked about two episodes ago. I'm not exactly sure, but I think those little gray round things are ojizo statues. It looks like they each have their own shakujō staff in one hand.

Anyway, I wanted to share this month's little nugget of Buddhist wisdom as it feels very timely.

Naite ii

Nigete mo ii

Kokoro ga ichiban taisetsu dakara

~~~~~

It's okay to cry

It's even okay to run away

Because your heart is the most important thing

All the love, XO,

terrie