Book of equanimity case 5

[Taigu]

Eloquent and right to the point teaching, Mongen. A man writing such words has truly caught a glimpse of the ineffable.

Gassho

Taigu

[Myoshin]

Dharma as the plumes of smoke
its value is its inconstancy
when the mind sees it forms
he dazzles and disappears.

Gassho

Yang Hsin

[BrianW]

'What is the ultimate meaning of the Buddhadharma?'
Seigan replied : 'what does the rice cost in Roryo?'

I free associated on this a bit and what I keep coming back to is me, as a child, asking one of my parents, “How much does that toy cost?” Having no real understanding of money, the answer was meaningless, yet I thought if I got that toy I would be happy….forever. As an adult, do I really understand any more what something costs? What about the human suffering that may go into the manufacturing of my smart phone? I still do not really understand what things cost, but on some level I think if I have it I will be happy.
More directly related to practice I think, “Oh my not too long ago I often had time to do 40 mins of zazen in the day and 20 to 30 mins. at night….doing much reading on the Dharma.” Wow that was perfect! If only I had time for that now….I could make great progress in my practice! So easy to slip into delusion….no different than me asking, “How much does that toy costs?” OK I think everyone gets the idea, but will I ever just stop and get it?

Gassho,
Jisen/BrianW

[Risho]

Isn't the question posed more as a 'keep your heads out of the clouds, or focus on this' sort of thing like what you are asking is highly speculative and cannot be answered for you by anyone else. Instead, here's a question that is much more practical and useful.