Aug 26 2015 : The Economic Times (Delhi) the Speaking tree - The Dharma Body THICH NHAT HANH   Before passing away , the Buddha told his monks, “My friends, this is only my physical body . My Dharma body will be with you for as long as you continue to practice. Take refuge in the Dharma. Take refuge in the island of Self. The Buddha is there.“ His statement was very clear. If you touch the living Dharma body (Dharmakaya), you will not complain that you were born more than 2,500 years after the Buddha and have no chance to see him or study with him.The Dharmakaya of the Buddha is always present, always alive. Wherever there is compassion and understanding, the Buddha is there, and we can see and touch him. Buddha as the living Dharma is sometimes called Vairochana. He is made of light, flowers, joy and peace, and we can walk with him, sit with him and take his hand. As we enter the realm of Avatamsaka, it is Vairochana Buddha we encounter. In the Avatamsaka realm, there is a lot of light. The Buddha and the bodhisattvas are all made of light. Let yourself be touched by the light, which is the enlightenment of the Buddha. Allow yourself to be transformed by the light. Mindfulness is light. When you practice waking meditation alone, enjoying each step deeply , you emit the light of mindfulness, joy and peace. Let us enter the Avatamsaka realm together and enjoy it. Later, we can open the door for others to come, too.