8/24 - SHOBOGENZO-ZUIMONKI - 2-13 to 2-17

[Jinyu]

Re: 8/24 - SHOBOGENZO-ZUIMONKI - 2-13 to 2-17

2-16: I see two parts in this teaching
the first part : "It is regrettable to spend our days and nights vainly thinking of our livelihood tomorrow without casting aside the world which should be cast aside, without practicing the Way which should be practiced. Just make up your mind to learn the Way and die today."
Where Dogen emphasize on just doig what must be done in the moment without anything special to get. It makes me think about a part of the shobogenzo, gyogi, where he speaks about the simple and endless practice of the patriarchs.

And a second part : "If you ostensibly continue practicing the buddha-dharma but secretly worry about such things as clothing for winter or summer and livelihood for tomorrow or the next year, then despite the appearance of learning the Way opposed to the ordinary world (it is equally useless)".
Here Dogen clearly tells us, the practice is one part of things. But the "state of mind", or the intentions you get when you practice are also VERY important.

We just need to practice with sincerity, with flesh and bones as Deshimaru sensei said, and without waiting something special. At least, that's what I humbly see in this talk.

Gassho,

Luis

[StephanCOH]

Re: 8/24 - SHOBOGENZO-ZUIMONKI - 2-13 to 2-17

2-15: That's a tough one. I interpret it as a call to practice. Open the perspective, realize the interconnectedness and impermanence of all things instead of hunting for worldly profit and fame.

[StephanCOH]

Re: 8/24 - SHOBOGENZO-ZUIMONKI - 2-13 to 2-17

2-14: Practice! Do it the best way YOU can. Don't get stuck in any concepts of talent, good, bad or whatever. Your practice is your practice and if you do it wholeheartedly there is nothing more to do.
Plus you have to see through the concept of impermanence. Which is not some intellectual concept but the whole world that surrounds us. Every attachement bears the grief that loss will bring.

[Rich]

Re: 8/24 - SHOBOGENZO-ZUIMONKI - 2-13 to 2-17

2-14
"In the same way if the aspiration to seek the Way is earnest enough when you practice shikantaza (just sitting), study the koans or meet your teacher, though the aim is high you will hit the mark, and though it is deep you will fish it out. Without arousing such aspiration, how can you complete the great matter of the Buddha-Way in which the samsara of life-and-death is cut off in a single moment?"

Just keep trying. The stronger my attachment the more I grieve for its loss. Life and death must be the big kahuna

[Hoko]

Re: 8/24 - SHOBOGENZO-ZUIMONKI - 2-13 to 2-17

2-13: Don't be duplicitous in your behavior. Secular folks act with propriety regardless if someone is watching. Similarly, when following the buddha-dharma, obey the precepts whether or not you are being seen.

2-14: Persistence and determination count for more than does God-given, inherent ability or intelligence. Cultivate a strong aspiration. Finally, life is short. Don't waste time on foolish things (like plotting revenge).

2-15: People clinging to material things are not able to escape from samsara because (ironically) they are not thinking about their "self" at all (their "big self", that is). They need a broader perspective (i.e. they are part of something bigger than themselves) and rather than focus on fame and profit of the material world, seek the profit of eternal happiness or the fame of a Buddha.

2-16: I'm going to go out a little farther in this paraphrasing. To me, it seems the message is pretty deep: you are going to die. Period. It's a great fortune that you have a human form and can access the buddha-dharma and follow the Way. It's a shame that people throw that opportunity away and cling to the material. Make up your mind to practice the way NOW. Everything else needs to take a back seat. How you are going to make a buck tomorrow is not as important as how you practice the Way today. If your practice is interfered with by thoughts of tomorrow's livelihood, how you will clothe yourself in the winter, etc. then despite your outward appearance of following the Way, your efforts are entirely useless! Learn the way NOW (in the morning) and when the evening comes (and it will come inevitably) then you won't mind dying. In fact, you will have already died. This is similar to admonitions I have read elsewhere that tell us to "die on the cushion". "Kill" the self (ego). I may be off base but that was that I took from this passage...

2-17: Very simply: You have a limited time to pursue the Way. Focus on what's important and cultivate an attitude of aspiration (There's a great Pali word for this: "Chanda" which is aspiration for what is good, skillful and wholesome rather than "tanha" which is the thirsting for pleasant feelings that leads to suffering as per the Four Noble Truths. Many Buddhist newbies confuse the two and ask "How can you want liberation/enlightenment when that's just another desire?" The answer is chanda is good, tanha is bad. Easy-peesy, rice and cheesy...).
And finally, very applicable here is another famous quote from Dogen Zenji: "Practice as though your hair was on fire!!"

[StephanCOH]

Re: 8/24 - SHOBOGENZO-ZUIMONKI - 2-13 to 2-17

2-13: It's not that you keep the precepts because of other people, but because you keep the precepts. Inside, outside, hidden or obvious ... it does not matter.

[BrianW]

Re: 8/24 - SHOBOGENZO-ZUIMONKI - 2-13 to 2-17

Hello all,

A bit of free association for me this week….

If learning the Way in the morning, I wouldn’t mind dying in the evening

I thought what can bring about such courage?

If we do not save ourselves, when, by rare chance, we have been born [in a human body] and are about to encounter the buddha-dharma, when will we (be able to save ourselves)?

I sort of got stuck on the word “save”…..The notion of “salvation” came to mind. How can we be “saved”?

I thought what can overcome death, or, if you prefer, rebirth? Al l of this conjured up the opening of the Heart Sutra….

Avolokitesvara Bodhisattva, Awakened One of Compassion,

In Prajna Paramita, theDeep Practice of Perfect Wisdom

Perceived the emptiness of all five conditions,

And was free of suffering.

Gassho,
BrianW

[Rich]

Re: 8/24 - SHOBOGENZO-ZUIMONKI - 2-13 to 2-17

2-13
"Therefore as a practitioner of the Way, (you should) keep the Buddha’s precepts in mind, refraining from committing evil even though no one might see you or notice (what you do); do not discriminate between inside or outside or between bright or dark."

Your actions should be in accordance with the precepts and your situation, regardless of who is watching or not watching. So its always just one, not two.

[Tb]

Re: 8/24 - SHOBOGENZO-ZUIMONKI - 2-13 to 2-17

Hi.

2-13

do not discriminate between inside or outside or between bright or dark.

Another saying someone always likes to say is " Do not separate between hot and cold"

And a question, Where do you hide that "what should be hidden"?

Mtfbwy
Fugen

[Jundo]

Hi,

We will resume our readings of Shobogenzo-Zuimonki this week with 2-13 to 2-17.

A central theme might be "Do Not Pass Your Days In Vain" ... a fitting topic for the eve of our Ango 100-Day Practice Season ...
...beginning Saturday, 8/29.

Gassho, J