--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Buddha is said to have given a \"silent…" description: "\"Buddha is said to have given a \"silent sermon\" once during which he held up a flower and gazed at it. After a while, one of those present, a monk calle..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2e/eckhart-tolle-81_beauty_buddha-is-said-to-have-given-a-silent-se_1958965.jpg" --- # Buddha is said to have given a "silent sermon" once during… ![“Buddha is said to have given a "silent sermon" once during which he held up a flower and gazed at it. After a while, one of those present, a monk called Mahakasyapa, began to smile. He is said to have been the only one who had understood the sermon. According to legend, that smile (that is to say…” quote by Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2e/eckhart-tolle-81_beauty_buddha-is-said-to-have-given-a-silent-se_1958965.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2e/eckhart-tolle-81_beauty_buddha-is-said-to-have-given-a-silent-se_1958965.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2e/eckhart-tolle-81_beauty_buddha-is-said-to-have-given-a-silent-se_1958965.jpg) > “Buddha is said to have given a "silent sermon" once during which he held up a flower and gazed at it. After a while, one of those present, a monk called Mahakasyapa, began to smile. He is said to have been the only one who had understood the sermon. According to legend, that smile (that is to say, realization) was handed down by twenty-eight successive masters and much later became the origin of Zen.” [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A silent, simple act can convey profound insight, recognized only by those ready to receive it. **In simple terms:** A flower can teach enlightenment. Key Takeaway Seek awareness beyond words. Themes mindfulness awakening communication Mood calm inspired Type spiritual paradoxical When to use this quote - meditation retreat - artistic performance - teaching moments - personal reflection Key Concepts Zen nonverbal teaching spiritual insight Questions to Reflect On - How do we know when a silent gesture holds meaning? - What practices help us become receptive? A Different Perspective Reliance on anecdote may oversimplify complex traditions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Beauty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beauty/) [Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buddha/) [Buddha Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buddha-said-700323/) [Called Mahakasyapa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/called-mahakasyapa-3222708/) [Eight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eight/) [Flower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flower/) [Given](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/given/) [Has beens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/has-beens/) [Legends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/legends/) [Masters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/masters/) [Meditation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation/) [Monk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monk/) [Origin Zen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/origin-zen-3222707/) [Realization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realization/) [Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said/) [Sermons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sermons/) [Silent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silent/) [Silent Sermon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silent-sermon-3222709/) [Twenties](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/twenties/) [Understood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understood/) ## Related quotes > [The Buddha himself said, "I still use conceptual thinking, but I'm not formed by it." 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