The morning sun rose over the majestic Gṛdhrakūta (vulture peak) mountain in India, its rays illuminating an assembly of a thousand awaiting Buddha to speak.

On this day, the Buddha taught in a way unlike before. As he gazed upon his sangha, he silently turned a single white lotus flower on his finger.

Everyone was puzzled by this strange wordless gesture. Yet none could understand its significance. All were perplexed, except for one - the venerable Mahākāśyapa, who broke into a gentle smile of realization.

Pleased with Mahākāśyapa, the Buddha spoke:

"I possess the true Dharma eye, the marvelous mind of Nirvana, the true form of the formless. The subtle dharma gate that does not rest on words or letters but is a special transmission outside of the scriptures. This, I entrust to Mahākāśyapa."

The delightful Flower Sermon directly points to the mysterious nature of reality:
tathātā (suchness or thusness), the realization of which leads to enlightenment.