Moth Not Caterpillar

#FanFiction #AliceInWonderLand #‪Chiitan🌈ちぃたん☆
#Wss366 Flower #Hanamatsuri #BuddhasBirthday

It was raining #flowers when Alice reentered the clearing. A second mushroom, a stinkhorn, has sprung up. Atop the stinkhorn was a pot covered with fine, hair-like moss, and from it grew a thistle. But what caught Alice’s eye was a huge Japanese luna moth hovering where the Caterpillar had once been.

“Excuse me, Moth. Were you once Caterpillar?” Alice asked.

She couldn’t hear the reply over the thistle's screeching: “It is still a caterpillar! As you once were, you shall always be.”

The girl looked between them. “What is the thistle thinking?" she thought to herself. "It’s obviously a moth.”

Thistle continued, “I shall speak to the Red Queen, and we’ll have its wings off in an instant. It must be banned from the garden.”

Moth continued to float, unperturbed. Its wings fluttered as they slowly dried from its metamorphosis.

“Doesn’t it bother you, Moth dear, that she says such awful things?” Alice asked.

“It is all maya, illusion,” Enlightened Moth said. “I am and have always been as you see me now, yet I have never been as I seem. Substance is nothing, and nothing is substance.”

“Lies, all lies! Rip off its wings!” Thistle screamed.

Alice shook her head. "It's very cruel to pull the wings off a moth or a butterfly."

The moth floated higher in the air. “I have transcended earthly attachments. Until all creatures are enlightened, I bid you farewell. But look, my master #Chiitan🌈ちぃたん☆ approaches. They will guide you to the tea party.”

Alice turned to look as the baby otter fairy took a pratfall.

“Let me help you up,” she said, running forward.

Delighted to see Alice, the fairy bounced and danced after getting to their feet.

With one last glance at the Hateful Thistle, they left the screeching behind.

#TootFic #MicroFiction #NMFic #Trans #Queer #Transgender

Buddhist monks head to DC to finish a 'Walk for Peace' that captivated millions

> While in the U.S. capital, they plan to submit a request to lawmakers to declare Vesak — Buddha's birthday — a national holiday. But, Pannakara and others have emphasized that is not the walk's goal.

> Long Si Dong, a spokesperson for the temple, said the walk is neither a political movement nor is it focused on advocacy or legislation.

> "It's a spiritual offering — an invitation to live peace through everyday actions, mindful steps and open hearts," he said. "We believe when peace is cultivated within, it naturally ripples outward into society."

https://www.npr.org/2026/02/10/g-s1-109416/buddhist-monks-finish-walk-for-peace

#DC #WalkForPeace #BuddhistMonks #Mindfulness #Peace #WashingtonDC #Vesak
#BuddhasBirthday #Buddhism #Dharma #washingtondc #peace

Buddha’s Birthday.

I did sesshin last weekend to celebrate, which was more challenging than usual. I’m glad I did it and I’m thankful for my sangha’s supportive accommodations which allowed me to participate at all.

#BuddhasBirthday #Hanamatsuri #Zen