March 27, 2003
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The Hidden Buddha
Somewhere in the darkness, out of sight, out of comprehension, there’s a 600-foot tall solid gold Buddha statue.
It looks to come from the Tibetan artistic tradition, but there are give-aways of other cultural idioms, as well, to those who know what they’re looking at. But the fact is that most haven’t seen it at all.
Someone told me about it. I was walking down the street, and this guy was coming toward me, and he stopped and his jaw fell open, and he pointed in the sky behind me. I turned around and saw nothing. I asked him, “What?” He said, “600-foot tall Buddha.” I shrugged and went on my way.
But I couldn’t shake it. He seemed sincere. I began to imagine the statue he had seen, even though I hadn’t seen it. Now, wherever I go, I think that if I turn around at just the right second, there’ll be a huge monument behind me.
I’m not sure whether I’m following it, or it’s following me. I’m also not sure how a 600-foot solid gold statue of anything can keep itself so well hidden.
Comments (9)
You ever watched that movie Stigmata? I’m getting a sense it’s the same thing. The idea “Faith is within us”.
Oh dude, every time I see you, it’s there. Take my word for it. In fact, he’ll be joining us for dinner tonight!
Perhaps this 600ft tall solid gold Bhudda is actually a relative of the little green martian that followed George Jetson and Fred Flinstone around.
Or perhaps your friend was just really high that day.
‘Stigmata.’ Not one of my favorite movies.
OK, this is going to sound dumb, but… I’ll say it anyways.
I’m not sure of the country, Afghanistan? maybe. Wasn’t there a huge Buddha destroyed by the Taliban? In a cliff face? (going to do a google search).
“Afghanistan’s finest archaeological site is in Bamiyan, 90 miles west of Kabul, where the world’s tallest standing Buddha is 53 metres high, carved out of a sandstone cliff-face. Nearby stands another Buddha 37 metres (120ft) high.”
So the Taliban destroyed it and now you carry it’s spirit… although it wasn’t gold… OK, i’m shutting up now…
How can a 600-ft tall golden buddha stay so well hidden? That’s your koan for the day.
(Hey, uh, folks… It’s not a true story.)
What do you MEAN it’s not true?!?! I saw him last night!!!!!!!!!!!
maybe you’re the leprechaun at the bottom of the rainbow and no one knows that the real pot of gold is enlightenment.