Book of Equanimity - Introduction

[Kyonin]

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - INTRODUCTION (1)

Got the book and ready to rock some koans!

[Taigu]

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - INTRODUCTION (1)

Hi Mr Lou,

this is what I read:

The other reference that illustrates one's pre-existing perfect nature that I am fond of is the example that we are all like the bright shinning moon. We are always burning bright, even if clouds sometimes obstruct the view of that brightness. Zazen practice simply blows away the clouds, it isn't what makes us shine bright.

You may be fond of that moon, and surely that moon is in love with you, as it is with anybody, anyone. Not just in love, not just fond of, same essence, one body. Moon-self, self-moon.

Zazen doesn't make you shine?!!!

This is the last time I take the time to write to you. You ignored my clumsy stuff before. Please, take your sentence back and try to swallow it:

Zazen practice simply blows away the clouds, it isn't what makes us shine bright

.

Does it make it through your throat?

What makes you-him-her-me shine bright???



Just curious.


take great care


gassho


Taigu

[mr.Lou]

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - INTRODUCTION (1)

What makes you-him-her-me shine bright???

Zazen reveals the shine of our original and true nature by removing that which would conceal it. Zazen is not the source, it is the catalyst.

This is the last time I take the time to write to you. You ignored my clumsy stuff before.

I assure you it was not my intention to ignore your previous words, and I am sorry you feel I have. My sincerest apologies. Any ignorances I have made have been the result of oversight and not contravention.

[Jiken]

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - INTRODUCTION (1)

What makes you-him-her-me shine bright???

Zazen reveals the shine of our original and true nature by removing that which would conceal it. Zazen is not the source, it is the catalyst.

Hi mr. Lou

Just my opinion but im not sure I agree with this. Zazen reveals nothing because there is nothing to reveal. The source and the catalyst are the same.

Gassho to you and this thread. Interesting

Daido

[Taigu]

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - INTRODUCTION (1)

Thank you Mr. Lou. You write about sitting as a tool to remove confusion, a device to let the original face appear, and I cannot follow you on that one. The act of sitting is the original face itself, shikantaza is not a gateway. The pearl is not hidden in the dark and moist flesh of the oyster, as we drop inside and outside, the very activity of sitting is nothing but the pearl itself. The pearl is the whole oyster, as is.

Gassho

Taigu

[Jundo]

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - INTRODUCTION (1)

Hi Guys,

Does Zazen blow away the clouds to reveal the light? Or is Zazen what makes you shine? Do you make Zazen shine? Does Buddha shine? Or is Zazening polishing the shining light?

In the light, can "you" and "I" be seen in the glare? Or are we lit up and standing bright in the spotlight? Is there even "you" or "zazen" or "light and darkness" in the Light? Or, are there all of these, light and dark, clearly seen in the Light?

Is Shining found in the Light, or in the Eyes, or in the Mind, or in the Shining ... or everywhere and no where at all?

Is it the light of the moon? A flickering street light? A cop car light?

Is the light shining even on the darkest day hidden by clouds? Do we need to clear away the clouds to see the light? Or are the clouds themselves ever clear, light, shining when seen with Bright Buddha Eyes?

This Light is neither light nor dark ... nor is it ever anything but the darkness and the light.

It is not even "Light".

So ... DON'T BE BLINDED BY THE LIGHT! SEE THE LIGHT!

Just Sit, Just Shining Polishing Shining!

Gassho, J

[RichardH]

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - INTRODUCTION (1)

Hmm. Got the book .. better join in.

[Shohei]

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - INTRODUCTION (1)

Exciting lets Get R Done! >

Gassho
Shohei

[Nenka]

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - INTRODUCTION (1)

Hi Guys,

Does Zazen blow away the clouds to reveal the light? Or is Zazen what makes you shine? Do you make Zazen shine? Does Buddha shine? Or is Zazening polishing the shining light?

In the light, can "you" and "I" be seen in the glare? Or are we lit up and standing bright in the spotlight? Is there even "you" or "zazen" or "light and darkness" in the Light? Or, are there all of these, light and dark, clearly seen in the Light?

Is Shining found in the Light, or in the Eyes, or in the Mind, or in the Shining ... or everywhere and no where at all?

Is it the light of the moon? A flickering street light? A cop car light?

Is the light shining even on the darkest day hidden by clouds? Do we need to clear away the clouds to see the light? Or are the clouds themselves ever clear, light, shining when seen with Bright Buddha Eyes?

This Light is neither light nor dark ... nor is it ever anything but the darkness and the light.

It is not even "Light".

So ... DON'T BE BLINDED BY THE LIGHT! SEE THE LIGHT!

Just Sit, Just Shining Polishing Shining!

Gassho, J

What light?

[youtube]

[/youtube]


Apologies . . . this conversation really brought that scene to mind, appropriate or not. :twisted:

Also the Sandokai: "light is also darkness / but do not think of it as darkness / darkness is light / do not see it as light / light and darkness are not one, not two / like the foot before and the foot behind in walking."


Gassho

Jen

[Koshin]

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - INTRODUCTION (1)

:mrgreen:

[Omoi Otoshi]

BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - INTRODUCTION (1)

The truth is in the moonshine?
I knew it!

/Pontus

[Omoi Otoshi]

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - INTRODUCTION (1)

You write about sitting as a tool to remove confusion, a device to let the original face appear, and I cannot follow you on that one. The act of sitting is the original face itself, shikantaza is not a gateway. The pearl is not hidden in the dark and moist flesh of the oyster, as we drop inside and outside, the very activity of sitting is nothing but the pearl itself. The pearl is the whole oyster, as is.

I agree that Zazen is not a tool, not a device.
Just Buddha sitting. Just being Buddha. Realizing Buddha completely, without trying, without needing to do anything.
I was always Buddha, from the beginning. In my sleep walking through life, I tend to forget that and instead believe in the story my small mind is telling me about who I am. But in my heart, I always knew. And my heart's innermost desire is to live according to that truth of who I am, so I practice, not because a Zen teacher is telling me to, but because my heart is longing for it (at least on the days when I am able to pay attention to that quiet little voice of my heart).
In my view, the original face can't ever disappear. The pearl is never hidden, it is there in all its suchness. Just not always noticed.
The act of sitting is the original face. The act of shitting is also the original face.
Why is it that on the Zafu, I open the hand of thought and let my self be enlightened, but on the toilet I do not?
To me, Shikantaza can be a gateway. Just not one that I can use to get somewhere. A gateless gate through imagined barriers, leading to nowhere but here. Not blowing any clouds away, just seeing the clouds for what they are. The boundless sky as it is. Shikantaza is not learning meditation, but the Dharma gate of effortless ease, in Dogen's words.

Gassho,
Pontus

[mr.Lou]

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - INTRODUCTION (1)

The sun and moon are always bright, yet if they are covered by clouds, although they are bright, below they are darkened, and the sun, moon, stars, and planets cannot be seen clearly. But if suddenly the wind of wisdom should blow and roll away the clouds and mists, all forms in the universe appear at once.

Since the imagery of the obscured moon has been so frequently referenced here in this thread, and my choice of words addressed as so semantically flawed, I believe it is probably best to address further contemplation and analysis of this analogy to the source rendition.

[Rich]

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - INTRODUCTION (1)

Whatcha gonna do when hulkamania runs wild on you?

The 6th patriarch and the hulk are two of my favs.
Can't. Talk anymore. All I can do is sit and a million other things to stay alive and get ready for hulkamania and the book of serenity.

[Risho]

Re: BOOK OF EQUANIMITY - INTRODUCTION (1)

OK, I dont' want to derail this thread, but Rich brought up the Hulk! I love the Hulk; I'm still a Hulkamaniac. lol