Waterlotuspeace

Finally took time to pen this down..

Sis-in-law asked me if there is a reason to change my blog URL from waterlsl to waterlotuspeace. Yes indeed. In fact, I was just trying to align the URL to my profile name, waterlily.

Lotus, or waterlily, is 莲 (Lian) in Chinese. There is a famous saying in Chinese that goes, "莲，出之淤泥而不染". Literally it means lotus flower growing from the mud, yet it's not tainted with dirt. Lotus has the significance of a noble character, and nobility. Buddha and bodhisattvas are commonly seen sitting on lotus flowers in most of the statues or drawings today.

How is it related to me? Since young, my grannies, some of my uncles and my dad would call me "zet lian". I was quite used to it when I was young, but later I questioned where and how this name came from. Mom told me that I got it from a small praying place which we used to frequent to pray the Avalokiteshvara (Guan Yin), the Bodhisattva of Compassion.

Could still remember clearly the 1st lantern I got was from my maternal granny. It was a lotus flower lantern, made of cloth in pink. I think we kept it for quite a long time.

That's why I feel close to this flower and it helps me find peace in myself, as it relates me to the bodhisattva.

Just as lotus needs water and sunlight to grow, I need the water element in my life. Someone told me before, that I lack it. So, more water for me (i.e. more richness for me hehe..)

Here are some lotus flower pictures I took at Waterloo Street.

What do you see? I see a demure lady, with slightly open lips ;)

No mud!!

It has a beautiful heart, just like me! :)