Satomi Myodo

After reading the brief autobiographical excerpt from Satomi Myodo, I want you to think about and answer ONE (you can address more, but don't feel obligated to do so) of the following questions:

1. What is the insect, which Satomi's father is watching, doing on p. 177? Does this remind you of anything? Why do you think Satomi is so moved by her father's attention to this insect?

2. On p. 186 Satomi states, "Self-realization or no self-realization, when one considers that all things are always treading the one path of religious practice, it's clear that there is nowhere outside of this from which to intervene. It's fine just as it is." What does she mean? Is there any truth to this sentiment?

3. "That's the flagpole" (188)! What insight has Satomi arrived at when she makes this announcement?

4. Satomi states on p. 190, "All things in the universe have together nurtured small and insignificant me." Is this more of a Mahayana or Therevada statement? Why? Do you think that the universe if benevolent, malevolent, or indifferent to human beings (or the rest of creation for that matter)? [apologies for the insanely general and open-ended secondary question - have fun]

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