The Search For Enlightenment

Yesterday it was Stuart Hall, today it’s Max Clifford, taken into his local police station for questioning over allegations of sexual abuse. Who’s going to be next? Those of us who are normal, listen to these stories and wonder what on earth is wrong with these people.

Whether it’s a power trip, a deviancy or some form of mental illness, the real point is that children, some as young as eight, have potentially had their lives ruined by people who are, but arguably should no longer be, in positions of power and trust.

Daisaku Ikeda summed up the way children should be regarded and treated in order to blossom to their full potential, not to be stunted or damaged.

Every child is precious. The Lotus Sutra tells the parable of the three kinds of medicinal herbs and two kinds of trees. There are many different kinds of plants; their shape, size and nature come in myriad varieties.

Some plants grow fast while others take time to mature. In this parable, however, the heavens rain upon all the plants equally, nurturing their growth. And the plants blossom and bear fruits according to their own unique character.

This parable symbolizes the Buddha’s vast compassion to nurture all living beings despite their differences. All children are different; each possesses his or her wonderful unique quality. We must pour upon all children our great love and compassion so that each child can blossom, true to his or her unique quality.