Zen Buddhism in America's Heartland

The Order of the Lotus Blossom (OLB) is a Zen Buddhist Brother- and Sisterhood. It consists of both lay and ordained members, but not exclusively monastic. The Order was recently founded by Roshi Fajian to extend the Lincoln Lotus Temple community beyond its local parameters.  The main purpose is to serve society and its respective communities by manifesting the Dharma. Lotus Blossom members commit to daily practice of zazen and Buddhist devotion.  By consistent spiritual practice they realize the benefit and enrichment of  Dharma identification in their lives. All Dharma brothers and sisters hold to the ten Zen Buddhist Precepts along with the three Jewels and the Bodhisattva vows as ethical guides for living . They intensify their daily Zen practice and realization under the guidance of the Order and its superiors. 

The Lotus Blossom

The Lotus blossom symbolizes the causality of spiritual life.

Rising up from the mud of the swamp (the physical world, the body), growing through its murky waters (the world of sensory desire and emotions), penetrating the air (the mental world of thoughts and ideas) and aspiring to the light of the sun (the spiritual illumination, the Dharma) — the Lotus blossoms into a pure white flower.

The Lotus blossom symbolizes the inseparability of the cause and effect, provision and reality, as well as the source and manifestation of enlightenment.

Dharma often is not easy to express. Thus, the illustration of the Lotus blossom is put forth to make it easier to understand.

Daily Practice Rule

1. We perform our meditation practice faithfully every day. Meditation  is the place of our awakening: We are the living embodiment of the Buddha through our response to the master. We live in spiritual communion with his tradition of wisdom and compassion.

2. We are fully accountable for your duties in the best way possible.

3. Enlightenment truth is always before our eyes and within our reach. Accordingly, there is no enlightenment apart from the common ordinary person and the everyday task.  It is illusionary to seek or anticipate enlightenment from somewhere outside us. The mind of the Dharma monk will let go of this delusion.

4. We seek forgiveness and restore ourselves right away, if we have caused trouble to others, committed wrongdoings or made blunders through carelessness and inattention.  We keep our mind free from guilt, remorse and avoid retribution, such as hatred and enmity. We remain in a constant awakening state. 

5. The body-mind of the Dharma brother or sister should be sober and clear. We care for goods and articles mindfully. They are the properties of the Three Jewels. We use them responsibly and sparingly, so that they will last.  We recycle what is no longer useful. We try to manage with less; but are generous and helpful to others as much as possible. 

6. We take good care of our home or monastic environment. Cleaning and keeping our environment free from pollution and disorder as well as living a healthy lifestyle are Zen practice.

7. It is unbecoming for a Dharma brother or sister to critizise others or to be judgmental, in order to build a self-defense or to reinforce one's own position.  It would be the downfall of a Dharma brother or sister to become jealous of other people's prosperity or gloat over others' misfortunes. If such a feeling or thought arises, we surrender our weakness right away, as well as renew our Bodhisattva vows. We pray for the happiness of all beings (Metta Prayer) and/or make prostrations (full bows).