The Zen Master's Dance - 17 - Genjo Koan (Middle of p. 64 to Top of p. 67)

[Jundo]

Everybody, back in the boat!

We will read from the middle of p. 64 (the passage, "For example, if someone sails in a boat ... "), stopping right before "In truth, the place and the way are neither large nor small" toward the top of p. 67.

This new boat passage continues the theme of the earlier "moon reflected in the water" section, about how enlightenment is not just round and empty and rather lifeless, but is all the countless forms and facets and complexities of this life and world.

Dogen then goes on to say that living things (like you and me) bring the party to life, that we are all in our element, and how we act makes it come to life. Dogen had this vision where Buddha's truth is found in and as all things, and we bring to life this world. Moreover, we not only bring to life this world, we are this world coming to life through our doing.

Please rewrite the following version of this week's readings from the perspective of one of the following persons, activities, things/tools and places (or, even better, think up your own person/activity/thing or tool/place) and rewrite Dogen's insights:

Musician/Theatre Hall/Her Instrument/Playing Music

Doctor/Operating Room/Knife/Surgery

Footballer/Playing Field/Ball/Playing

Chef/Empty Pot or Oven/Ingredients/Cooking

Artist/Studio/Blank Canvas/Painting

Gardener/Garden/Barren Soil/Growing Things

As always, do not look at others' responses before trying your own.

For example, if someone is a [person] standing in a [place] looking at a still [or quiet/simple/empty] and unmoving [place or thing] that [place or thing] looks still [quiet/simple/empty] and unmoving, and does not look to have other form. But the [place or thing] is truly not only stillness [quietness/simplicity/emptiness] nor merely movement [sound/complexity], and its features are varied beyond count. It is like a palace of endless rooms. It is like a jewel of countless facets [BONUS QUESTION: Add your own example of some wonderful thing with endless or countless parts or features - "It is like a ~~~~~ with numberless ~~~~~~ ."] It only looks still [quiet/simple/empty] and unmoving as far as seen by the eye at that time. All things of the world are like this. ... Whole worlds are found all around in this [place]. It is so, not only looking outwards, but also directly under your feet, in your own hand, and in every inch of this [place or thing].

A [person] [does activity] in/by its [place or thing], and no matter how far it [does activity], the possibilities of the [place or thing] are without end. ... At the same time, the [person], in being a [person] never leaves their [place or thing]. When their need is large their doing of the [activity] and use of the [place or thing] will be large. When the need is small their doing and using are thus small. Thereby, each such [person] totally uses its full range as a [person] doing their [activity] in each moment, and each of them wholly brings its realm to vibrant activity. Yet, if the [person] were to [leave the place, or put down the thing], the person would cease being a [person] at once. ... Thus we can conclude that [place] is life and [thing] is life. Being this [person] is life, and also, life is the [person] and life is the [place] and [thing]. In this same way, practice-enlightenment is the expression of bounded and boundless life right here and now.

If a [person] attempts to fully explore the reaches of its field without [doing activity], this [person] will never find its way or place. But when we find our place where we are here and now, [activity] occurs that actualizes the universe. When we find our way in this moment, [activity] occurs that actualizes the universe.

Gassho, J

STLah

[Meiun]

For example, if someone is a Lego builder standing in a playroom looking at a simple and unmoving box of Lego pieces, that box of Lego pieces looks simple and unmoving, and does not look to have other form. But the box of Lego pieces is truly not only simple nor merely complex, and its features are varied beyond count. It is like a palace of endless rooms. It is like a jewel of countless facets. "It is like a universe with numberless possibilities." It only looks still simple and unmoving as far as seen by the eye at that time. All things of the world are like this. Whole worlds are found all around in this playroom. It is so, not only looking outwards, but also directly under your feet, in your own hand, and in every inch of this playroom.

A Lego builder builds in their playroom, and no matter how far they build, the possibilities of the box of Lego pieces are without end. At the same time, the Lego builder, in being a Lego builder, never leaves their playroom. When their need is large their doing of the building and use of the box of Lego pieces will be large. When the need is small their doing and using are thus small. Thereby, each such Lego builder totally uses their full range as a Lego builder doing their building in each moment, and each of them wholly brings its realm to vibrant activity. Yet, if the Lego builder were to put down the box of Lego pieces, the person would cease being a Lego builder at once. Thus we can conclude that the playroom is life and the box of Lego pieces is life. Being this Lego builder is life, and also, life is the Lego builder and life is the playroom and box of Lego pieces. In this same way, practice-enlightenment is the expression of bounded and boundless life right here and now.

If a Lego builder attempts to fully explore the reaches of its field without building Lego, this Lego builder will never find their way or place. But when we find our place where we are here and now, Lego building occurs that actualizes the universe. When we find our way in this moment, Lego building occurs that actualizes the universe.

Gassho

Mike

Sat today

[aprapti]

For example, if someone is a teaperson (chajin) standing in a tearoom looking at a empty and unmoving teabowl that chawan looks empty and unmoving, and does not look to have other form. But the chawan is truly not only emptiness nor complexity, and its features are varied beyond count. It is like a palace of endless rooms. It is like a jewel of countless facets, it is like a tree with numberless leaves. It only looks empty and unmoving as far as seen by the eye at that time. All things of the world are like this. ... Whole worlds are found all around in this tearoom. It is so, not only looking outwards, but also directly under your feet, in your own hand, and in every inch of this place.

A host puts in some macha in the chawan, and no matter how far, the possibilities of the room are without end. ... At the same time, the teaperson, in being a teaperson never leaves the place. When their need is large their doing of the making tea and use of the chawan will be large. When the need is small their doing and using are thus small. Thereby, each such teaperson totally uses its full range as a teaperson doing their making tea in each moment, and each of them wholly brings its realm to vibrant activity. Yet, if the teaperson were to leave the place, the person would cease being a teaperson at once. ... Thus we can conclude that making tea is life and tea is life. Being this teaperson is life, and also, life is the teaperson and life is the tearoom and chawan. In this same way, practice-enlightenment is the expression of bounded and boundless life right here and now.

If a teaperson attempts to fully explore the reaches of its field without making tea, this teaperson will never find its way or place. But when we find our place where we are here and now, making tea occurs that actualizes the universe. When we find our way in this moment, making tea occurs that actualizes the universe.





aprapti

sat and had some tea

[Jundo]

For example, if someone is a Lego builder ...

Monk-Meditating-244x300.jpg

[Jundo]

[Meiun]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]7583[/ATTACH]

.....'Lego' of all attachments......

Gassho [emoji1317]

Mike

[Jundo]

[Jundo]

By the way, the above two, legos and tea, are reaaaaaaalllly good, I feel. Better than even I thought this exercise might go in fact.

Really nice.



Gassho, J

STLah

[Tomás ESP]

For example, if someone is a monk standing in a zendo looking at a simple and unmoving wall that wall looks empty and unmoving, and does not look to have other form. But the zendo is truly not only quietness nor merely sound, and its features are varied beyond count. It is like a palace of endless rooms. It is like a jewel of countless facets. It is like a galaxy with numberless stars. It only looks still and unmoving as far as seen by the eye at that time. All things of the world are like this. Whole worlds are found all around in this zendo. It is so, not only looking outwards, but also directly under your feet, in your own hand, and in every inch of this zendo.

A monk does zazen in the zendo, and no matter how far it sits, the possibilities of the wall are without end. At the same time, the monk, in being a monk never leaves their zendo. When their need is large their doing of the sitting and use of the wall will be large. When the need is small their doing and using are thus small. Thereby, each such monk totally uses its full range as a monk doing their zazen in each moment, and each of them wholly brings its realm to vibrant activity. Yet, if the monk were to leave the zendo, the person would cease being a monk at once. Thus we can conclude that the zendo is life and the wall is life. Being this monk is life, and also, life is the monk and life is the zendo and wall. In this same way, practice-enlightenment is the expression of bounded and boundless life right here and now.

If a monk attempts to fully explore the reaches of its field without doing zazen, this monk will never find its way or place. But when we find our place where we are here and now, zazen occurs that actualizes the universe. When we find our way in this moment, zazen occurs that actualizes the universe.

Gassho, Tomás
Sat&LaH

[Jundo]

[Tairin]

I’ve been using guitarist/musician for all these little exercises so far so continuing the theme

For example, if someone is a guitarist standing on a stage looking at a empty and unmoving auditorium that auditorium looks empty and unmoving, and does not look to have other form. But the auditorium is truly not only emptiness nor merely sound/complexity, and its features are varied beyond count. It is like a palace of endless rooms. It is like a jewel of countless facets It only looks empty and unmoving as far as seen by the eye at that time. All things of the world are like this. ... Whole worlds are found all around in this auditorium . It is so, not only looking outwards, but also directly under your feet, in your own hand, and in every inch of this auditorium .

A guitarist plays guitar in this auditorium , and no matter how long it plays guitar, the possibilities of the auditorium are without end. ... At the same time, the guitarist , in being a guitarist never leaves their stage. When their need is large their guitar playing and use of the auditorium will be large. When the need is small their doing and using are thus small. Thereby, each such guitarist totally uses its full range as a guitarist playing guitar in each moment, and each of them wholly brings its realm to vibrant activity. Yet, if the guitarist were to leave the auditorium , the person would cease being a performer at once. ... Thus we can conclude that auditorium is life and performing is life. Being this guitarist is life, and also, life is the guitarist and life is the auditorium and guitar. In this same way, practice-enlightenment is the expression of bounded and boundless life right here and now.

If a guitarist attempts to fully explore the reaches of its field without playing guitar , this guitarist will never find its way or place. But when we find our place where we are here and now, playing guitar occurs that actualizes the universe. When we find our way in this moment, playing guitar occurs that actualizes the universe.


Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Kaishin]

For example, if someone is a Fire Guard standing in a Firewatch Tower looking at a still and unmoving forest, that forest looks still and unmoving, and does not look to have other form. But the forest is truly not only stillness nor merely movement, and its features are varied beyond count. It is like a palace of endless rooms. It is like a hall of mirrors with infinite reflections. It only looks still and unmoving as far as seen by the eye at that time. All things of the world are like this. ... Whole worlds are found all around in this forest. It is so, not only looking outwards, but also directly under your feet, in your own hand, and in every inch of this forest.

A Fire Guard watches for smoke in the forest, and no matter how far they look, the possibilities of the forest are without end. ... At the same time, the Fire Guard, in being a Fire Guard never leaves their Firewatch Tower. When their need is large their watching and use of the Firewatch Tower will be large. When the need is small their doing and using are thus small. Thereby, each such Fire Guard totally uses its full range as a Fire Guard watching for smoke in each moment, and each of them wholly brings its realm to vibrant activity. Yet, if the Fire Guard were to leave the Firewatch Tower, the person would cease being a Fire Guard at once. ... Thus we can conclude that the Firewatch Tower is life and watching for smoke is life. Being this Fire Guard is life, and also, life is the Fire Guard and life is the Firewatch Tower and forest. In this same way, practice-enlightenment is the expression of bounded and boundless life right here and now.

If a Fire Guard attempts to fully explore the reaches of its field without watching for smoke, this Fire Guard will never find its way or place. But when we find our place where we are here and now, watching for smoke occurs that actualizes the universe. When we find our way in this moment, watching for smoke occurs that actualizes the universe.

-stlah

[Jundo]

[DanM]

For example, if someone is a tattooist standing in a studio looking at an empty and unmoving chair, that chair looks still empty and unmoving, and does not look to have other form. But the chair is truly not only emptiness nor merely complexity, and its features are varied beyond count. It is like a palace of endless rooms. It is like a tattoo machine with numberless needles. It only looks empty and unmoving as far as seen by the eye at that time. All things of the world are like this. ... Whole worlds are found all around in this studio. It is so, not only looking outwards, but also directly under your feet, in your own hand, and in every inch of this studio.

A tattooist tattoos in its studio, and no matter how far it tattoos, the possibilities of the studio are without end. ... At the same time, the tattooist, in being a tattooist never leaves their studio. When their need is large their doing of the tattooing and use of the studio will be large. When the need is small their doing and using are thus small. Thereby, each such tattooist totally uses its full range as a tattooist doing their tattooing in each moment, and each of them wholly brings its realm to vibrant activity. Yet, if the tattooist were to leave the studio, or put down the machine, the person would cease being a tattooist at once. ... Thus we can conclude that studio is life and machine is life. Being this is life, and also, life is the tattooist and life is the studio and machine. In this same way, practice-enlightenment is the expression of bounded and boundless life right here and now.

If a tattooist attempts to fully explore the reaches of its field without tattooing, this tattooist will never find its way or place. But when we find our place where we are here and now, tattooing occurs that actualizes the universe. When we find our way in this moment, tattooing occurs that actualizes the universe.

Dan
ST/LAH

[Jundo]