Collinsville Farmers Market

A Story from the Zen Tradition...

Behind a temple there was a field where there were many squashes growing on a vine.  One day a fight broke out among the squashes and they split into two groups.  They made a racket shouting at one another.  The Zen Master heard the uproar from the temple and went to the field to find the squashes quarreling.  In a booming voice he scolded, "Hey Squashes!  Why are you fighting?  Everyone sit in meditation right now."

While the squashes were sitting in meditation, their anger began to subside.

Then the teacher turned to them and calmly said, "Each of you feel on top of your head."  When the squashes felt the top of their head, they found some weird thing attached there.  It turned out to be a vine that connected them all together.  The squashes remarked, "This is so strange.  Here we have been arguing and split into groups when we are actually all tied together."  What a shame...what a mistake!"  After that revelation, the squashes all lived harmoniously enjoying the pleasures of their beautiful field together.

At this time of Thanksgiving, your friends from C.A.R.E. (who produce and operate the Collinsville Farmers Market as a non-profit, volunteer community event) want to thank you for supporting the market and our community, helping to demonstrate how we are all connected.  Let's be mindful that the harvest cycle is our constant reminder of beginnings and endings.  We believe our local farmers give us so much more than just produce to eat; they give us a sense of the circle of life itself!

We wish you a peacful day with friends and family and lots of GREAT local food!

Best,

The Collinsville Farmers Market Committee Gang

(Special thanks to Rev. Rushan Sinnaduray from the First Cong. Church Canton Center for sharing this story in this week's sermon!)