Whenever I see pictures like this, it always reminds me of the Jewish festival of Sukkot–which is presently being observed. It is a holiday that combines a harvest festival typical of many cultures with a commemoration of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt. The booths–“sukkot”–were the temporary huts in which the Israelites dwelled during both. Ritually…
There is a Zen story in which a student approaches his teacher and asks, “Master, what happens after we die?” The Master says, “I don’t know.” The student is taken aback. “What do you mean? Aren’t you a Zen Master.” “Yes, I am.” the master replies, “But I am not a dead one.” I also…
There is a Jewish midrash (legend) to the effect that the Biblical Solomon carried two notes with him everywhere. One said, “For me, the universe was created;” the other, “My end will be dust and ashes.” When he was overwhelmed by all the pressures and crises of the monarchy to the point where he felt…