Buddhism is connected to its environments through deer. Strangely enough, this may not be a widely known fact, even for Buddhists! Let’s first remember that the Buddha meditated under a tree to reach enlightenment. The place he meditated in was actually a deer park (Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India). It was also the place where he taught his first disciples about Buddhism. Buddha’s stories of his enlightenment reached many continents, but not without our friendly neighborhood deer. Since the Buddha reached enlightenment in a deer park, it is said that deer are ‘good fortune’ for reaching enlightenment. So, if you ever see a deer, you just may be on your way to reach enlightenment.
