A Quiet Moment Among the Lotuses

During the 2025 Lotus and Water Lily Festival, the Most Venerable Katugastota Uparatana Nayaka Thera visited Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in Washington, D.C., accompanied by friends and members of the community.

Held from 18 to 20 July, the annual National Park Service festival brought visitors together amid ponds of lotus flowers and water lilies at their peak summer bloom. The programme celebrated connections between people, plants and the environment through art, music, cultural activities and opportunities for quiet reflection.

Bhante spent time walking among the ponds and appreciating the beauty and stillness of the gardens. The visit offered a peaceful interval from daily life and an opportunity to share fellowship in a natural setting.

In Buddhist tradition, the lotus is a familiar symbol of purity and awakening. Although it grows from muddy water, it rises above the surface and blossoms unstained—a gentle reminder that wisdom and compassion may be cultivated amid the difficulties of ordinary life.

May the beauty of the lotus inspire mindfulness, serenity and wholesome qualities in all who encounter it.