I recently realized something regarding my path in studying Buddhism. I’ve gained so much personally from my journey so far, but I’ve never stopped to focus on the journey itself, such as where I am on the path and what is the path? 

In Rev. Marvin Harada’s book Discovering Buddhism in Everyday Life there is a dharma article titled “How do I get Enlightened?” that helped me view my journey in studying Japanese flower arranging similar to the path to enlightenment.

In these excerpts from the book, Rev Harada identifies 3 stages on the path to enlightenment:

1) Initial Stage – “The beginner looks at Buddhism as a very goal-oriented religion. […]  We wonder how long will it take and what is enlightenment, rather than focus on the path to enlightenment. […]  In the initial stage, we think more materialistically about life and religion. […]  We hope and expect Buddhism to make us happier, to make us better human beings, to give us peace of mind. […] There has to be some kind of benefit to us and to our lives in this stage or else we would never continue on to the second stage. Buddhism does not negate these values but attempts to point to something deeper and truer than those initial values and benefits of religion.”

2) Secondary Stage – “In the second stage, one struggles with listening to and learning the dharma. […] What grows during this stage is the desire to listen and learn. […] However, although there is much that is learned and digested, there is also a gap that grows between intellectually understanding in your head and truly knowing or understanding in your heart. Words like compassion, or the Nembutsu have meaning in your head but do not resonate in your heart. While progress is being made on the path, you don’t feel like you are making progress. […] At the point where you feel the furthest away from understanding, you are actually quite close.”

3) Final Stage – “In this phase there is no thought of practicer, practice, and goal. The goal, the person, and the practice have become one. Just like an artist who paints, but credits the inspiration of the painting to something beyond himself, so too does the person in the final stage live in oneness with the truth of the Dharma itself. […]  In the final stage, there is no questioning how long will it take, why should I practice, what benefit will it have. The ultimate meaning of practice and benefit are understood. The Dharma and life are one reality. There is nothing to gain, and nothing to lose.”

I have been studying the Ikenobo School of Ikebana for almost 30 years. I’ve had three teachers over the years and started taking from my first teacher at OCBC long before I became a member of the church. I was taken with the beauty, simplicity and concentration required in producing the arrangements that I was able to bring home and enjoy until the next class. There was a structure and hierarchy in earning certificates, as your skills grew. This was the Initial Stage in my flower path. There’s nothing wrong with staying in this initial stage. Many people do.

But I wanted to learn more. I was pulled in deeply, taking special workshops and studying with visiting professors from Japan. I spent many years in this what I’ll call the Secondary Stage in my flower path. My teachers wanted me to consider teaching but I was reluctant. Like the Secondary stage in the Buddhist path, I hadn’t experienced a true connection between my head and heart in my studies. I wasn’t confident I understood everything I felt I needed to know. I felt from a naïve and selfish perspective that I could only grow and learn as a student carefully guided by my teacher. Again, there’s nothing wrong in staying in this secondary stage.

During the pandemic when all classes and workshops suddenly stopped, I had no choice but to make arrangements completely on my own without guidance from my teacher and fellow students. Practicing ikebana during the pandemic helped me understand how much this practice is ingrained in me than I had realized. The journey has been so much more meaningful than reaching a specific goal. I look at nature and plants with a sensitivity to the cycle of life and seasons. I cannot go on a walk without thinking about what I could make with materials I see. Finally, as we’ve been able to meet as a class again, I am honored to accept my teacher’s request to take over her class as she retires. I’ve realized it’s time to give back and not hold back. This is the way to continue to learn and grow by sharing and practicing together. I know understand this is my flower path Final Stage.

I wonder if flower arranging was my religion for many years until I embraced Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. Regarding my path in Buddhism, I’m patiently in the Secondary Stage. I’m in no rush, I can be patient because of how fortunate I’ve been in having experienced what I call my flower path and the lessons it has taught me. I look forward to the Final Stage, but I’m also making the most of the journey.

Namuamidabutsu