Dear Sensei Tony - Does Alchemy play a part in Buddhism?

Hi Marie- A fascinating subject and one that I have taught about in some of my videos (please enjoy them https://www.youtube.com/@asksenseitony8027). But let me give a brief explanation here. The art of alchemy was an ancient practice, that while involving physical symbols (it may have influenced modern scientific experimentation, chemistry and pharmacy), was primarily about spiritual development. I will utilize the traditional latin terms of alchemy and refer to them via our Dragonfly Order practices and process:

Ignotum per ignotius = The First Tenet of Not Knowing and taking and receiving of The Precepts) [Gokai].

Nigredo = The embrace of the Shadow aspect of the psyche [Segak]

Adumbrate PrimaMateria = The Archetypes integrated (The Ego Self energies mindfully integrated [Shiho Musubi or Four Directions System of Mindfulness]

Lapis Purgatio = The Blue Light of Awakening (The recognition of and Refuge in our True Self) [Satori]

Aurum = The Golden Transmogrification of the Ego Self with the True Self  [Nirvana]

De Re Au = The production of the Golden [bringing the boon of our awakening to others [Hanamatsuri]

Au Solidus = The sharing of the Golden [The celebration of Obon, and the offering of blessings or Kito]

This spiritual process of liberation psychically produces within us the so-called Philosopher or Sorcerer Stone. The ambrosia of Amata or the immortal and deathless state of being which we call, Nirvana.

Let me offer a parable that I really like to illustrate this in our practice:

A visiting pastor asked an older farmer, decked out in his old bib overalls, to say grace for the morning breakfast.

"Lord, I hate buttermilk", the farmer began. The pastor opened one eye to glance at the farmer and wondered where this was going.

The farmer loudly proclaimed, "Lord, I hate lard." Now the pastor was growing concerned.

Without missing a beat, the farmer continued, "And Lord, you know I don't much care for raw white flour". The pastor once again opened an eye to glance around the room and saw that he wasn't the only one feeling uncomfortable.

Then the farmer added, "But Lord, when you mix them all together just right and bake them, I do love warm fresh biscuits. So Lord, when things come up that we don't like, when life gets hard, when we don't understand what you're saying to us, help us to just relax and wait until you are done mixing. It will probably be even better than biscuits. Amen."

Huzzah! I love this! It shows us that the sacred alchemical working of our lives, including the parts we don’t like, can mindfully come together and result in wisdom.

I hope you found this fun, intriguing and helpful.