I admire the lotus, and have fond memories of Beihai Park in Beijing where acres of lotus lifted their pure blossoms from the rank waters and swayed in the breeze. Anyone who sees such a sight will agree this flower of all flowers must grow in heaven. It is a symbol of the pure mind that rises about the dirt yet remains rooted in mud, thus a symbol of wisdom and compassion, separate from the world yet not unconnected.--Jia Lu