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| Worship
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During
the lifetime of some enlightened beings worship began. Even during
the time of Lord Buddha people worshipped stupas, worshipped
statues of the Buddha. Some people don't believe in worship through
statues. Those who invaded India at the time when Buddhist dharma
was strong, demolished most of the statues and Buddhist monasteries
were burnt. But during the time of Buddha himself he accepted dharma
and sangha. Monasteries were established during the time of
Ashoka; statues and stupas were built. Even today in many countries
statues of Buddha are being built. Recently a statue 60 feet high
was built in Bodhgaya by the Japanese.
Worship has been
advised from time immemorial. Here we generally speak about consciousness,
which is omniscient, omnipresent, in everything, every atom. There
is no place where there is no consciousness. So what does worship
mean? Many people get confused. Those who have been enlightened, free,
they have worshipped through stupas, through statues, and that is
how dharma has been living till today and it will live. I do not know
of any religion which has not included worship. Buddhism is already
2,600 years old. Vedic Dharma is 25,000 years old. In Peru they have
found a Shiva lingam 25,000 years old.
We are dealing with
consciousness only, but it's very important to consider this matter.
Many people write to me from The States and Europe. They say they
are all right here, but when they return they forget it they lose
peace and consciousness. I advise them to playfully worship whatever
comes into their day-to-day life. Whatever they see has to be worshipped
as the same consciousness - it cannot be other than consciousness.
Eating food, whatever you do. Listening to music, worship through
the ears. Whatever you see, it has to be worshipped, adored, honored.
Like this, you will not forget consciousness. When you see that consciousness
is everywhere this Cosmic Being has to be adored and worshipped in
every being, every non-being, in every situation; when you are happy,
in happiness; when you are not happy, in unhappiness. In all situations
engage yourself. People say, "Sometimes I am happy; sometimes
I lose it." Beyond both is consciousness, their own Self. The
Self reveals itself to itself. This Cosmic Being which resides in
all beings, in human beings, and animals, and birds, in everything
- is conscious within you. In the cave of your heart is the Conscious
Being that directs you to see, smell, hear, activate your activities.
This has to be worshipped, adored, honored wherever you go, whatever
you do, whatever you hear, whatever you see. Then how can you forget?
Wherever you are you are in consciousness and consciousness is within
you. Worship this purusha - this cosmic being within you.
I do not know how
this cosmic being has become an individual being. If it has become
an individual being then the cosmic being is residing within it. This
knowledge that, "I am individual being." must be in the
cosmos. This cosmic being has entered the cavity of your heart. Somehow
you feel separated. You feel that, "I am an individual being,
a different personality." Where does this knowledge that, "I
am an individual being." come from? This knowledge is quite enough
to be worshipped. Worship this knowledge at least, that "I am
this individual being." If you can't agree that, "I am cosmic."
Many times I've made
attempt to express. I have failed. It is said the mind cannot reach,
the senses cannot describe. Somehow I have to do it.
This longing will
arise - it is not enough. You will have to go and see a teacher and
listen to the teacher. First you choose, "I have to return to
effortlessness, I want to be free." This longing is not enough.
This longing rises from ignorance only; it's not wisdom. Any choice
is from ignorance; any longing is from ignorance. Good longing also
is ignorance, but it takes you to a teacher who tells you whatever
he tells you, and that is also ignorance. It is ignorance because
it cannot be conveyed through words. Your mind can listen. This experience
cannot be had by the mind or senses. When the mind and senses admit
their defeat, then you will have this experience.
Let the individual
dissolve and adore the Supreme Being. Let it merge into the supreme
being from where it arose. Individuality must come from somewhere;
a wave arises from somewhere. The individuality rises when you say,
"this individual." You have returned with this thought.
Now, this moment, where did this thought rise from? Individuality.
This moment go back and see. Don't make any effort - it will drop
by itself. Don't make any effort, don't think; it will drop by itself.
Your longing will cease. My instruction will cease. 17 November, 1992
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