Not
too long ago, a 3,000-year-old Egyptian tomb was uncovered on an
archeological dig sponsored by the University of Cairo. During the
excavation, an ancient reed flute was discovered in the ruins. Although
pictures of such musical instruments were depicted on the walls of other
previously excavated tombs, this was the first incidence in history of
actually uncovering the real object.
An
Egyptian professor of music was well known for his ability to reproduce
replicas of the ancient Egyptian flutes using similar materials as found
around the Nile River Delta today. But he had never before actually seen
an authentic reed flute from ancient Egypt — until now.
And
so, one evening, this professor was entrusted with the actual artifact
and invited for the first time in 3,000 years to give a recital using
the ancient musical instrument. As he began to play, the packed
auditorium became still, and was then filled with beautiful, melodious
music.
As
I was watching the television documentary on this momentous event and
listening to the miraculous music myself, I came to wonder, “Where has
the sound been all these years?” Was it contained within the flute,
locked away in the hidden tomb? Or was it always within the potential of
human beings to hear and appreciate the beauty of the sound? These
questions also caused me to think of Amida Buddha and the Eighteenth
Vow, which has been enveloping humankind since the eternal past. Where
do we meet the Buddha’s Vow?
Two
years ago during the National Buddhist Women’s Association Convention
in Chicago (October, 1996), the ladies and I had the opportunity to
visit some of the city’s famous museums. It was a wonderful occasion
to be able to view the actual paintings by such famous artists as
Rembrandt, Goya, Monet, Renoir, Picasso, Gauguin and Van Gough — whose
works, for the most part, I had previously only seen in books. What a
thrilling experience to now have been able to see them in person — to
be filled with their power, beauty and inspiration. And then I realized
these artists had lived and died hundreds of years ago. Yet, here I was
in downtown Chicago being moved by the beauty on the canvas, which they
had touched with their own hand, and being drawn to communicate with
them through the human heart and mind. They were from the eternal past,
and yet we were able to meet in the eternal present.
The
vow of Amida Buddha’s Mind to reach all sentient beings is contained
within our human potential to hear its beckoning voice and respond.
There is an old Buddhist saying that, “Unenlightened beings merely
react, but Enlightened ones respond.” How wondrous to be moved by
Amida’s Heart and Mind after all these years.
