The Cook

Title: The Cook (based on Darrin Hoover's Chef's Special painting)
Size: 5 x 7 inches
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Artist: betsisanders 2010

Atisha, a great bodhisattva in India, helped to spread Buddhism to Tibet in the 11th century. When he went to Tibet, he took his Indian cook with him. This cook was very disagreeable, speaking harshly and being rude and obnoxious to people. He even regularly insulted Atisha. The Tibetans asked, "Why did you bring this person with you? We can cook for you. You don't need him!" But Atisha said, "I do need him. I need him to practice patience."

So when someone criticizes me I think, "He is an incarnation of Atisha's cook."

When people with whom we don't get along point out our faults to us, we have to look at them. We can't run away anymore. When we're outrageously angry, burning with jealousy or attachment is eating away at us, we can't deny that we have these negative emotions. Of course, we try to say that it's the other person's fault, that we have these horrible emotions only because they made us have them.

But after we've listened to the Buddha's teachings, this rationale doesn't work any more. We know in our hearts that our happiness and suffering come from our own mind. Then, even though we try to blame our difficulties on other people, we know we can't. We are forced to look at them ourselves. And when we do, we also see that they are incredible opportunities to grow and learn.

This is taken from "Buddhism In Modern Society"
by: Venerable Thubten Chodron

>>>>>>>>

There are so many 'cooks' in my life. They are those ungrateful, unappreciative, user- friendly frenemies that have created holes in my heart. This Buddhist teaching tells me to learn from these individuals. Patience is what they 'll teach me. Instead of getting angry, irritated or lose sleep thinking about them, I shall ignore, walk away like the 'duck', and be with people who are appreciative, thoughtful and loving,

Growing up in a Catholic school, we were taught to "love our enemies". I could never understand, grasp or accept this teaching because it was very difficult to do. It was like a command, an order, that was very hard to follow.

But with the way it is explained by the Buddhist teachers, it seemed easier to apply in my life. They give a more positive approach and that is to be tolerant of others, understand and learn from these 'cooks' and thereby learn patience.

We were also told that when one thinks of doing bad things to other people, one already commits a sin. The mere thought was considered sinful. In Buddhist teachings, these are just monstrous thoughts. These monstrous thoughts are just regarded as thinking. These thoughts, whether monstrous or benevolent are just thoughts. They are neither virtuous nor sinful, just thoughts. No thought deserves a gold medal or a reprimand. One can think of assassinating an enemy or baking a cake. these are just thoughts.

As I always find myself thinking all the time, I get tired and emotional. So, to silence my mind, I paint, read, write, cook, or bake, go on the treadmill, watch a movie or listen to dance music, or I simply sit in silence or better still, I pray.

Love, love lots and truly love. / betsisanders 2010