The lotus is known for its ability to rise from the depths of muddy waters only to blossom into a stunning flower. This unique becoming has long been an analogy for the human experience. As the Venerable Vietnamese monk, Thich Nhat Hanh says, “No mud, no lotus,” speaking to an idea that without darkness we cannot have light. In many different cultures and religions in the East, the lotus is a symbol of purity, enlightenment, and rebirth. It is also the National flower of Vietnam.