The Zen Master's Dance - 8 - Fukan Zazengi (Middle of p. 37 to Middle of p. 38)

[Jundo]

We continue from middle of page 37, "Give up even the aim of becoming a Buddha," stopping right before "The Mechanics of Sitting" on page 38.

Questions ...

How would giving up the aim of becoming a Buddha embody a taste of Buddha?

Can you describe some goal you are aiming for in life now but have not yet achieved, or frustration in life when a goal was not obtained? Describe your feeling of aiming now for something you are working toward, or disappointment about a past goal not achieved.

Now, describe it again with a description embodying "nothing to attain, nothing to become."

Both ways can be true ways to experience goals at once.

Please respond before reading other folks' responses.

Gassho, J

STLah

[Koriki]

How would giving up the aim of becoming a Buddha embody a taste of Buddha?

The energy limiting illness that I struggle with daily has been, at times, like being stuck in quicksand. The more I struggle with my circumstances, the more I sink. If I get upset about what I am no longer able to do, it uses up my precious energy and I feel much worse. Whereas the more I can accept that this is the way it is, then I tend to have energy for better things and feel less like I'm missing out on something. Empty and be full.

Gassho,
Koriki
s@lah

[Hosui]

Right now I’m on vacation in the UK’s Lake District with my wife and mother-in-law. We’re all sat separately in our shared lakeside apartment, reading. The tall window in front of my seat gives onto a view of Skiddaw, a (Googled) 931-meter high peak, currently scarfed in early evening cloud. It wasn’t enshrouded when I sat down to write, and I daresay it’ll probably clear to reveal the bald sconce of the summit later. As my understanding of emptiness deepens, my grip on life’s aims weakens, leaving only my response to the conditions of this life, the compassionate wisps of cloud around a mountain top. The universe is complete as it is, so my hope of continuing to study the Avatamsaka scripture this holiday week may come to naught, given how I don’t want to alienate my companions — they’re teasing me already, as are the crows outside. There is no permanent person here, nobody to know anything, nothing to attain, nothing to become; here one minute, gone the next.

Gassho
sat/lah

[Jundo]

It sounds as if you have already arrived at Skiddaw peak.

image.png

Gassho, J
stlah

[Heikyo]

As I get older I am less inclined to set life goals for myself anymore. I guess at the moment my goal (like a lot of others my age) is to make sure that I have enough money to be comfortable when I become tired of my job and retire. As a school teacher, my job is stressful and exhausting, which makes this goal seem all the more unachievable. How much longer could I really do this? Taking zazen off the cushion allows me to drop the pressure to achieve this goal by allowing me to accept the exhaustion at the end of the day, accept the job for what it is, accept the challenging behaviour of students, and enjoy the now. This is not resignation, or a feeling of ‘giving up’ - it is just accepting things for what they are and understanding that my frustrations and challenges are part of the whole, and nothing to be afraid of.

Gassho
Heikyo
Sat today, LAH

[Jundo]

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