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風流 - Fūryū - Windflow
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Oh, okay, look at this ... it is just this wild scene from the Lotus Sutra (the meaning can be debated, but is just some kind of miraculous scene) ...
ORIGINAL FROM LOTUS SUTRA:
At this time, before the Buddha, a stupa of seven treasures , five hundred yojanas in height and two hundred and fifty yojanas in length and breadth, sprang up from the earth and abided in the sky . .
So, you have elements there like "there appeared before the Buddha" "a stupa" "of seven treasures" "five hundred yojanas in height" that "sprang up from the earth" and "abided in the sky" ... and all this happens at Vulture Peak, which the stupa hovers over.
Dogen took those elements in his word jazz to become ...
DOGEN:
There is the turning of the flower of Dharma in the appearance “before the Buddha” of the “treasure stupa,” which is a “height of five hundred yojanas.” ... There is a turning of the flower of Dharma by springing forth from the earth and abiding in the earth, whereby mind is without obstructions and matter is without limits. There is the turning of the flower of Dharma in springing out of the sky and abiding in the earth, which is limited by the eyes and limited by the body. Vulture Peak is within the stupa, and the treasure stupa is on Vulture Peak.
He wilds it up in this way, twists relationships between things (e.g., Vulture peak is in the stupa). The stupa not only "springs out of the earth and hovers in the sky" but also "springs out of the sky and abides in the earth."
So, in the assignment, you have a different story with elements such as "a man" "came to the house" "close friend" "went to sleep" "becoming intoxicated" "wine." "intimate friend" "go out" "official business" "sews" "priceless jewel" "his friend’s garment" "roams around" "arrives in another country." "poor fellow!" "lack of food and clothing" "the desires of the five senses" "seek your livelihood" "great effort and hardship" "very foolish" "Sell this jewel" "use it to buy what you need" "neither poverty nor want" "live as you wish."Actually, I cannot understand the symbolic meaning of either text, I don't understand the meaning of the symbols and metaphors. So, I'm unable to write something that means the same.
Usually, this story is taken to mean that the "jewel" is the Buddha Nature which we all have within us but do not know, so we live foolishly and squander our lives.
So, if you just take those elements and plug them into the Dogen "paint by numbers" I made (even quite at random really) you will get a sense what Dogen does with the elements of traditional Buddhist stories. Don't do it if it is too tiring for your brain though. It is supposed to be an enjoyable exercise in understanding Dogen's writing tricks.
[Dōgen says:] There is the [ACTION FROM STORY] of Dharma in the [SCENE FROM STORY] of the [THING FROM STORY] which is a [DESCRIPTION FROM STORY] There is the[ACTION FROM STORY] of Dharma that is the [ANOTHER SCENE FROM STORY] whose[ANOTHER DESCRIPTION FROM STORY]There is a [ACTION FROM STORY] of Dharma by [SOME ACTION FROM STORY] and [DIFFERENT ACTION FROM STORY] whereby mind is without obstructions and matter is without limits. There is the [ACTION FROM STORY] of Dharma in[SOME ACTION FROM STORY] and [DIFFERENT ACTION FROM STORY], which is limited by the eyes and limited by the body. [PLACE IN STORY] is within [ANOTHER PLACE IN STORY], and the [ANOTHER PLACE IN STORY] is on [PLACE IN STORY]. The [PLACE IN STORY] is a [THING IN STORY] abiding in space, and space opens space for the [PLACE IN STORY]. The timeless Buddha within the [A PLACE IN STORY] shares a [THING IN STORY] with the Buddha of [SOMETHING FROM STORY], and the Buddha of [SOMETHING ELSE FROM STORY] shares the realization of the Buddha within the [A PLACE OR THING IN STORY]. When the Buddha of [SOMETHING FROM STORY] experiences this state within the [THING OR PLACE FROM STORY] together with body, mind, and all things, he also enters into the state of the [ACTION FROM STORY]. [. . .] This “within the [PLACE OR THING FROM STORY],” “before the [THING OR PLACE FROM STORY],” the [THING FROM STORY],” and “space” are not limited to [PLACE FROM STORY]; they are not limited to the [BUDDHIST PHRASE OF YOUR CHOOSING]; they are not limited to some [OTHER BUDDHIST PHRASE OF YOUR CHOOSING]; neither are they [BUDDHIST DESCRIPTION OF REALITY]. Nor are they matters of some fixed [BUDDHIST PHRASE.] They are simply “non-thinking.”
Gassho, Jundo
stlah
Last edited by Jundo; 06-03-2025, 12:29 AM.ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLEComment
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Good, and generally in the right direction, but a little "bare bones" and not fleshed out. You just toss out terms, some from within and some from outside the "Jewel" story, without really playing with them and connecting them, twisting them together as much as you could. You generally have it right, but it should be richer and more lively.I liked this exercise, but not easy! Maybe I’m missing the mark, but still fun pretending to be Dogen
Actualizing wine, the jewel of intoxication. Actualizing sleep, the jewel of sleep. With nothing to gain and nothing to lose, the moon shines, wine drinks, sleep sleeps. A 15 foot golden body rests.
An intimate friend, drunk on pride, pities the man. Blinded by flowers in the sky, and ears filled with cotton, he sews a priced possession into the holy robes.
How can realization be given? How can something be gained? With barely the skin intact, he is worlds apart from the marrow. What could this man possibly understand by the ancestor’s reply to the Emperor: “no merit whatsoever”?
Yet, flowers are dancing jewels. Cottoned pride shines. Needle and thread sparkles.
The way is not difficult for those who have no preferences. With gyoji as his most priced possession, a meager bowl at noon transforms into a feast. What use could a jewel possibly have? The jewel shines not in being found, but in losing the search.
Gassho, Hōzan
satlah
Just for practice, please try the "paint by numbers" version that I just wrote Shoshin and see what happens ...
Gassho, Jundo
stlahALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLEComment
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Drunk with delusion go I. Lost in slumber while all along, sewn into the very fabric of my so-called life is a priceless jewel rumored to have been planted there by a friend, but cruelly hidden just of sight.
Pitied by this so-called friend, I stumble through life distracted in a search for food, clothing, unaware that as close as my own robes - closer - is the end of my search or the realization there was never any search at all.
What type of gift has been mine along?
Foolish I am perhaps in this mimicking of a madman poet and toiling in distracting exercises.
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Ok I took a crack at this.
I don't really like it and I think maybe I missed the point.
I also stupidly read everybody elses before (it really affects things)
There is the fluttering of Dharma in the steam rising from a manhole on Tremont Street, which is a kind of half-seen breath.
There is the stillness of Dharma that is the inside of the T train when everyone’s looking down, whose silence hums through the rails.
There is a hesitation of Dharma by reaching into your pocket and not pulling out the vape,
and just letting the craving pass, whereby mind is without obstructions and matter is without limits.
There is the rhythm of Dharma in dodging potholes and crossing against the light, which is limited by the eyes and limited by the body.
The Common is within the city, and the city is on the Common.
The city is a tangle of thoughts abiding in space, and space makes room for the city.
The timeless Buddha within the CVS, shares a receipt with the Buddha of caffeine withdrawal,
and the Buddha of missed calls shares the realization of the Buddha within the sidewalk crack filled with last night’s rain.
When the Buddha of doubt experiences this state within the Dunkin’ line together with body, mind, and all things,
she also enters into the state of walking home without needing to be fixed.
This “within the Dunkin’ line,” “before the sidewalk crack,” “the Common,” and “space” are not limited to Boston;
they are not limited to the Four Noble Truths;
they are not limited to some clean-cut awakening;
neither are they samsara nor nirvana.
Nor are they matters of some fixed path.
They are simply “_______________”
Stlah
Gassho
Mira
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ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLEComment
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One dreams as the wheel of dharma turns so close as to stitched into the very fabric of our being.
Outward we turn, slumbering our way seeking food, clothing, the next not-to-be-missed Netflix series as the wheel of freedom spins - an unnoticed gift left by a friend, so we’re told.
The spinning goes on and on offering the taste of honey as we settle for food tossed to the dogs of our desires. Mere pittance when right there, closer than the seam of our tattered garment …
The way is pointed to us, but we opt for great effort in sitting, walking, posing as a disturbed poet. All along the truth spins, calling out silently, stitched just out of sight, seemingly.
Foolish I am, I realize in this exercise, my continued and final failed attempt to capture approval rather than the truth that is ours.
bob
sat/lahComment
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That is INCREDIBLE. I love it! You are a REALLY good writer. Dogen is also peaking out here and there. It is your wise voice shining through!
It is not really Dogen, though, and this is a lesson in learning about Dogen and his writing style. I still recommend you do the "paint by numbers" example, below, just to get a feel for what he was doing. Humor me.
Gassho, J
stlah
~~~
So, in the assignment, you have a different story with elements such as "a man" "came to the house" "close friend" "went to sleep" "becoming intoxicated" "wine." "intimate friend" "go out" "official business" "sews" "priceless jewel" "his friend’s garment" "roams around" "arrives in another country." "poor fellow!" "lack of food and clothing" "the desires of the five senses" "seek your livelihood" "great effort and hardship" "very foolish" "Sell this jewel" "use it to buy what you need" "neither poverty nor want" "live as you wish."
Usually, this story is taken to mean that the "jewel" is the Buddha Nature which we all have within us but do not know, so we live foolishly and squander our lives.
So, if you just take those elements and plug them into the Dogen "paint by numbers" I made (even quite at random really) you will get a sense what Dogen does with the elements of traditional Buddhist stories. Don't do it if it is too tiring for your brain though. It is supposed to be an enjoyable exercise in understanding Dogen's writing tricks.
[Dōgen says:] There is the [ACTION FROM STORY] of Dharma in the [SCENE FROM STORY] of the [THING FROM STORY] which is a [DESCRIPTION FROM STORY] There is the[ACTION FROM STORY] of Dharma that is the [ANOTHER SCENE FROM STORY] whose[ANOTHER DESCRIPTION FROM STORY]There is a [ACTION FROM STORY] of Dharma by [SOME ACTION FROM STORY] and [DIFFERENT ACTION FROM STORY] whereby mind is without obstructions and matter is without limits. There is the [ACTION FROM STORY] of Dharma in[SOME ACTION FROM STORY] and [DIFFERENT ACTION FROM STORY], which is limited by the eyes and limited by the body. [PLACE IN STORY] is within [ANOTHER PLACE IN STORY], and the [ANOTHER PLACE IN STORY] is on [PLACE IN STORY]. The [PLACE IN STORY] is a [THING IN STORY] abiding in space, and space opens space for the [PLACE IN STORY]. The timeless Buddha within the [A PLACE IN STORY] shares a [THING IN STORY] with the Buddha of [SOMETHING FROM STORY], and the Buddha of [SOMETHING ELSE FROM STORY] shares the realization of the Buddha within the [A PLACE OR THING IN STORY]. When the Buddha of [SOMETHING FROM STORY] experiences this state within the [THING OR PLACE FROM STORY] together with body, mind, and all things, he also enters into the state of the [ACTION FROM STORY]. [. . .] This “within the [PLACE OR THING FROM STORY],” “before the [THING OR PLACE FROM STORY],” the [THING FROM STORY],” and “space” are not limited to [PLACE FROM STORY]; they are not limited to the [BUDDHIST PHRASE OF YOUR CHOOSING]; they are not limited to some [OTHER BUDDHIST PHRASE OF YOUR CHOOSING]; neither are they [BUDDHIST DESCRIPTION OF REALITY]. Nor are they matters of some fixed [BUDDHIST PHRASE.] They are simply “non-thinking.”
ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLEComment
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Hi folks,
I feel like I might have changed too much but here goes
Once a man came home to find himself, drunk and asleep on the floor. Prior to leaving to go to the place the man always was and never left, he sews a priceless jewel into his cloak. Some time later, getting up off the floor the man awakes with a different yet familiar face. Taking the nearby cloak he leaves to go home. Facing difficulties, he struggles to find food and shelter. By chance, he encounters his old friend, himself, now wearing his original face. Remembering the jewel, the left hand gives the right hand a gift. Knowing his material struggles are now over the man rejoices.
Gassho,
Hoseki
sattoday/lahComment
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My exercise in paint-by-numbers. Don’t feel much closer to knowing Dogen’s style. Perhaps decades of concise newspaper writing is standing in my way?
Been a struggle.
A friend comes knocking, looking to drink of the Dharma and winds up passed out, oblivious to the wise and compassionate home dweller sharing a precious jewel by sewing it into the friend’s garment.
There is the snoring of Dharma that is the hiding of the sewing of his friend’s garment before she leaves for business, leaving the hidden gem behind.
Off the visitor goes after arising from his slumber in the Dharma, seeking out meager amounts of food, clothing and finding satisfaction is so little a finding, while all along mind is without obstructions and matter is without limits.
There is the searching of the Dharma in the quest for food, clothing and roaming from his slumber, which is limited by the eyes and limited by the body.
Arriving in another country, there is further slumber at a friend’s and all within the unsatisfactory realm of food, clothing the wandering continues.
While wandering the foreign land, the compassionate friend returns abiding in space, and space opens space for the safe confines of his friend’s precious gift. The timeless Buddha within the marketplace shares a jewel with the Buddha of the endless road and the Buddha of time shared with a friend shares the realization of the Buddha on the wandering road.
When the Buddha of the hidden gem experiences this state within the marketplace together with body, mind, and all things, he also enters into the state of searching [. . .] This “within the hidden seam,” “before the precious gem,” the inherent gift” and “space” are not limited to the marketplace; they are not limited to the triple gem; they are not limited to some period of Zazen; neither are they empty of a separate self. Nor are they matters of some fixed dharmakaya. They are simply “non-thinking.”
bob
sat/lahLast edited by Bob-Midwest; 06-04-2025, 04:44 PM.Comment
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Hi Shoshin,
I'm not sure if this will be helpful but there are a couple of thing (I think) to keep in mind when reading Dogen.
1. Everything is is everything else as well as it's own thing. So we can swap things around to give us a broader (while also complex) picture of what's happening. Anything is everything else but we refer to things in their conventional sense most of the time. We wouldn't be able to communicate otherwise.
2. The point is to try and encourage practice.
With that in mind. Below are a few thoughts I had.
The turning of the flower of Dharma is a buddha (Abundant Treasure) doing buddha stuff (actions to enlighten others). In this case it happened before the Buddha (Shakyamuni) was born.
Abundant Treasure's stupa springs from the earth but also springs from the sky (I wonder if it's also possible to translate that as heaven which might give it an additional layer of meaning.) This happens because the earth and sky are not two (point 1 above.) The fact that earth and sky are opposites also points to a unity that transcends as well as contains opposites. Think about how using a bow requires a push (to keep the bow in place) and a pull (pulling back the string.) Two actions are one action and one action is two actions. Is shooting a bow two actions or one action? Both are correct but if it's one action then how can it be two? And vice versa?
Space can open space because that's what space does. It always connects and surrounds everything. We can move and remove a couch to any number of houses but we can't remove it from space. Where it's located is determined by it's relationship to other things and not space for space is never obstructed. In a sense we aren't moving the couch in space so much as we are moving closer and further apart from some object or objects. Space doesn't have anything to differentiate it. We often think we can divide up a space but we don't really divide space so much as move bit of matter around.
Vulture Peak is within the stupa, and the treasure Stupa is on Vulture peak because Vulture peak is the stupa and the stupa is Vulture Peak. Vulture Peak is also what's inside the stupa. Dogen could have written "Vulture peak is within the Vulture Peak, and the treasure Vulture Peak is on Vulture Peak. The treasure Vulture Peak is a Vulture Peak of treasure abiding in space, and space opens space for the treasure Vulture Peak." But he didn't because (I think) it wouldn't help his students. I think Dogen is trying to get us to get a feel for everything being everything else.
I read the last part to mean our concepts and language never really hit the mark. As much as the Buddha in the stupa is the Buddha on Vulture Peak he/she is also not the Buddha on Vulture Peak. So there isn't a correct way to describe it exactly because language reifies. We use language to make distinctions and these distinctions are what "create" things that can be grasped conceptually. This means all phenomena have limits, an inside and outside, or what it is and what it isn't (sometimes this is fuzzy but I think it still functions more or less like this) but what we are talking about (Buddha-nature) isn't like that. It's like space, it's everywhere and no where we can't put limits on it because it has none. What we can do is take objects and use their spatial relationships (usually requiring three objects or two objects an an observer) to define a "space." Think of a fenced-in field. If the fence wasn't there would we know if we are in the field or not? Does the field even exist in this situation?
Anywho, I'm not sure if this helps.
Gassho,
Hoseki
sattoday/lah
P.S. Sorry about the lengthComment
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