Why This One?

A couple of weeks ago, an odd inconvenience occurred at the office where I work. A bird laid four eggs on the grassy entrance of walk-way that goes between buildings. If you tried to scoot by the bird would start chirping, fluttering it's wings and either directly chase you off or distract you from the eggs by running across your path so that perhaps you'd follow her. It's been a definite source of minor adventure, when moving between buildings.

During the time that she has been taking care of her eggs, I've not only marveled at her Buddha Nature, but some of the staffs as well. One great example is that there was a weather report that there would be some very heavy winds and rain. How did some of the staff react? They provided a shelter to cover her and the eggs, so that she would be more comfortable and protected.

Yesterday things got a little more interesting for Mrs. Bird. The eggs hatched. How did a couple of the staff react. They quadrant-ed off an area around her to give her and the hatchlings a little comfort and room (More walking inconvenience BTW-LOL).

As for my relationship with Mrs. Bird, I managed to get over the mental questions of, why she would lay her eggs on the ground, in a very exposed area, where she is totally vulnerable. The answer is actually pretty simple. "Because there was nothing else to do." After that, each time I would ask her, "Does the Bird have Buddha Nature?" and each time there was a reply of "Mu."

But then there is the issue of the staff. Why are some of them reacting in such a positive and compassionate way? Why do they act to help Mrs. Bird, when she appears so "small" and "inconsequential?" Maybe the answer comes from that Eddie Murphy movie "Holy Man," where his character placed in a similar situation answered, "because to this one it matters." Perhaps Eido Roshi would respond, "Because there is nothing else to do," and I project in my mind that Genjo Marinello Osho would say, "Just so."

May All Beings Be Happy,

Jaye Morris, Curator
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