Wednesday, May 8, 2013

White Lotus Day

Error runs down an inclined plane,
While truth has to laboriously climb its way up hill.
                           --proverb cited in The Secret Doctrine 
                    by Madame H. P. Blavatsky

Every day is a holiday somewhere in the world it seems.
May 8th is no exception. 
May 8th is the celebration theosophists call White Lotus Day,
in honor of Madame H. P. Blavatsky, 
a Russian-born spiritual leader in the theosophist movement.


Theosophy, according to Blavatsky.net,
is "a fragment of the ancient, once universal, wisdom teaching."
It has been described by some as "esoteric Buddhism,"
something Blavatsky denied, even though she studied extensively in Tibet.

Google Images: Madame H. P. Blavatsky, blavatsky.net

before Blavatsky died, she suggested to her followers
that they meet on the anniversary of her death
to read from the book Light of Asia and the Bhagavad-Gita.
When they gathered May 8th, 1891, 
white lotuses were blooming in profusion.

Closeup white lotus flower in the lake Stock Photo - 15415278
photo, 123rf.com

The lotus is an important symbol of spiritual development
in eastern philosophies
because it grows up from the  mud, through the water,
and blossoms into the air, toward the sky.
Each petal opens to reveal another.

lotus flower by patrick pichard

The seeds contain perfectly formed lotus leaves in miniature.
So Blavatsky's followers took the masses of white lotus blossoms as a sign.
Since, the observance has broadened to a day of meditation.

Regardless of one's beliefs, 
a day to contemplate the spiritual side of life,
as symbolized by a beautiful white flower
in the month of May, is a  good way to celebrate 
the beauty of spring.
<>




No comments:

Post a Comment