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If you had to think of the most common symbols of Buddhism or Buddhist thought, one of the

first things that has to come to your mind is the lotus flower.

And it's actually not arbitrary at all.

I mean, it's not like big lotus flower incorporated lobbied Congress to become the official

flower sponsor of Buddhism so they can make a bunch of money.

It's a powerful metaphor for the path to enlightenment.

The plant itself is actually an aquatic perennial.

It grows most of its life underwater and it's tough to find naturally occurring pools of

stagnant water than aren't swamp lands, especially in India.

It begins growing from the floor of the swamp through the muddy, disgusting swamp water.

...