Stories of the Lotus Sutra - Chapter 10: A Fantastic Castle City

[Taikyo]

Actually, I like this chapter's story. I have always believed that there are no lazy or incapable people—only unmotivated ones. Small sources of motivation along a difficult path are welcome to sustain good spirit, but they must never be mistaken for the ultimate goal.

In the background of the commentary, I can once again sense the tension between the traditional understanding of the Buddha’s message—where Nirvana is regarded as the ultimate goal—and the new revolutionary ideas offered by Mahayana Buddhism at that time. Even in this parable, I feel a resonance suggesting that the attainment of Nirvana, like a magnificent palace along a difficult path, serves as motivation but not as the final goal.

I don’t remember where I heard it, but I really like this saying: Religion is for those who fear hell and want to secure a place in heaven, while the spiritual path is for those who have already passed through hell and are not afraid to enter it again if necessary, in order to help those who suffer there. In this spirit, I understand the path of the Bodhisattva.

Correct me if my understanding is mistaken. I believe the Buddha is still present with each of our births, we manifest the Buddha’s nature and his intention that all sentient beings be freed from suffering. At least in my own life, I experience this as a kind of natural aspiration, even though I am not always able to articulate it properly or act in the right way.

Gassho

sat/lah
Taikyo

[Bion]

Correct me if my understanding is mistaken. I believe the Buddha is still present with each of our births, we manifest the Buddha’s nature and his intention that all sentient beings be freed from suffering. At least in my own life, I experience this as a kind of natural aspiration, even though I am not always able to articulate it properly or act in the right way.

I don't think there's anything to correct here. Your understanding is yours, especially on a topic like this. I've seen folks make a difference between "Buddha" and "buddha", capitalizing when referring to the man, and not doing it when interpreting it as the universal oneness, wholeness, etc. Of course, that's some folks, and others take a different stance and don't interpret it that way. Within the context of the Dharma Flower Sutra, the Buddha's lifespan was an important and revolutionary topic, and something that provided much-needed support for certain new ideas.
Have your interpretation and hold it lightly, I'd say

Gassho
sat lah

[Bion]

Loving reminder that you can join our Zoom discussion tomorrow. It's fun, and we learn things together!
Can't wait to see you all

gassho
sat lah

[Chiko]

samadhi encourages practice, practice encourages samadhi

My takeaway from this chapter, as expressed eloquently by others, is that this path leads nowhere but a deepened morality expressed by ethical thoughts, words, and actions. Enlightenment doesn’t look like any “thing” aside from the good karma we bring forth when our focus on “me, me, me!” begins to soften. When an aspect of our practice gives us relief from the world, or generally makes us feel good, we are more capable of doing good.

I do sense a warning in this chapter to way seekers: that this practice can also make us more conscious of pain and difficulty as we refrain from distracting ourselves from it. A Bodhisattva runs toward this pain once they get the sense that it is the very thing by which we cultivate compassion and realize the emptiness of that which scares us the most.

Gassho,
Chiko
st/lah

[Maro]

samadhi encourages practice, practice encourages samadhi

My takeaway from this chapter, as expressed eloquently by others, is that this path leads nowhere but a deepened morality expressed by ethical thoughts, words, and actions. Enlightenment doesn’t look like any “thing” aside from the good karma we bring forth when our focus on “me, me, me!” begins to soften. When an aspect of our practice gives us relief from the world, or generally makes us feel good, we are more capable of doing good

Gassho,
Chiko
st/lah

How well put - thank you Chiko

To paraphrase a bit what Chiko said, coming to see that the path leads nowhere but a deepened, and quite joyful and liberating, sense of a fading sense of a sense of "I, me, mine"

I will not attend today's discussion but I will watch the recording a bit later today.

Gassho
Maro
satlah

[Tenryu]

I won’t be able to join the Zoom meeting today either—looks like a spontaneous date night was requested

Wishing you all a great discussion, and I’ll catch up via the recording.

Gasshō,
Tenryū
sat•lah

[Bion]

I won’t be able to join the Zoom meeting today either—looks like a spontaneous date night was requested

Wishing you all a great discussion, and I’ll catch up via the recording.

Gasshō,
Tenryū
sat•lah

Thanks for the heads-up! Enjoy your date

Gassho
sat lah

[Taikyo]

It was difficult for me to participate in the discussion, because by the time I translated my thoughts into English, the topic had already shifted.
But here is a brief summary of what I wanted to say today.
Truth and reality do not depend on concepts; truth does not depend on what we have chosen to believe.; truth does not depend on the path we chose to follow.
In sitting zazen, I listen for the truth to reveal itself.

Gassho
Taikyo
sat/lah

[Bion]

It was difficult for me to participate in the discussion, because by the time I translated my thoughts into English, the topic had already shifted.
But here is a brief summary of what I wanted to say today.
Truth and reality do not depend on concepts; truth does not depend on what we have chosen to believe.; truth does not depend on the path we chose to follow.
In sitting zazen, I listen for the truth to reveal itself.

Gassho
Taikyo
sat/lah

Thank you for this! Thank you for taking the time to write down your thoughts for us. I was thinking the same as you... Ultimately, the concepts, systems, and doctrines are not the same as the moment-by-moment practice.
Next time, you put us all in time-out, and you formulate your thoughts, and we'll wait for you to say what you think!!!

Gassho
sat lah

[Seikan]

It was difficult for me to participate in the discussion, because by the time I translated my thoughts into English, the topic had already shifted.

Taikyo, I often experience something similar during group discussions, but instead of a language/translation challenge, it's more that I need more time to gather my thoughts into something coherent that I feel is worth sharing, but by then, like you say, the discussion has moved on.

I'm definitely on team "not loving this book", but I plan to stick with it as I'm still learning from it (and our discussions). Today's discussion, in particular, made me realize that I can appreciate the book even more if I view it from the perspective of a historical study of the teachings of the Lotus Sutra and how they were shaped according to the lives and spiritual needs of the people at that time. In that light, it has suddenly become far more interesting. Thank you all for helping to steer me in that direction.

Gassho,
Seikan
stlah

[Tairin]

I'm definitely on team "not loving this book", but I plan to stick with it as I'm still learning from it (and our discussions).

I didn’t realize we were breaking up into teams Actually, once I got over my preconceived notions of what I thought the book should be I started to enjoy it both from the historical context and the commentary . I actually thought our Sangha reading of Red Pine’s Platform Sutra was better.

Anyways. Sorry for missing yesterday’s chat. The European time shift caught me off guard…. Not that I had any deep thoughts to share.


Tairin
sat today and lah

[Seikan]

I didn’t realize we were breaking up into teams Actually, once I got over my preconceived notions of what I thought the book should be I started to enjoy it both from the historical context and the commentary . I actually thought our Sangha reading of Red Pine’s Platform Sutra was better.

That's exactly it! My pesky preconceived notions were leading me astray. Once I let them run off on their own, I was able to start appreciating the book for just what it is.

Gassho,
Seikan
stlah

[Tenryu]

It was difficult for me to participate in the discussion, because by the time I translated my thoughts into English, the topic had already shifted.

I feel like that quite often too!
People sometimes think I’m just quiet, but it’s more that translating my rather complicated German thoughts into English takes time. By then, the moment has often passed. It’s been a good Zen lesson in being patient with myself.

Back to the castle city:

The whole question of “goals” feels a bit strange to me most of the time. It often comes across as something added from the outside, something you’re supposed to have to give direction. For me, that never really worked. It usually created tension rather than clarity.

What makes more sense is something much simpler: walking with a small lantern in the fog. Not really knowing where it leads, just trusting that I can keep going. That already feels enough, and in a way, quite freeing. (Maybe that sense of ease is a kind of goal without calling it one.) So the image of the difficult road speaks to me much more than the idea of a destination. The city doesn’t really draw me in.

Gasshō,
Tenryū
sat•lah