The Sixty-fourth Gate:
Read the following, place it in your heart and sleep on it. Then, tomorrow, live it until evening when you can leave a brief comment on what you may have received during the process.
The power of effort* is a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with it] we do not regress or stray.
A “Dharma Gate” is a teaching or practice that can lead to spiritual growth: some kind of positive outcome in terms of our practice. A way to approach the truth.
Koan:
Realization is effort without desire.
Vast sky transparent throughout; a bird flies like a bird.
Clear water all the way to the bottom; a fish swims like a fish.
Most note worthy replies:
gassho, Shokai
stlah
Read the following, place it in your heart and sleep on it. Then, tomorrow, live it until evening when you can leave a brief comment on what you may have received during the process.
The power of effort* is a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with it] we do not regress or stray.
A “Dharma Gate” is a teaching or practice that can lead to spiritual growth: some kind of positive outcome in terms of our practice. A way to approach the truth.
Koan:
Realization is effort without desire.
Vast sky transparent throughout; a bird flies like a bird.
Clear water all the way to the bottom; a fish swims like a fish.
- Dogen/Genjo Koan
Is it self-defeating to make an effort to reach realization? How can you strive without effort? Can we, by exerting effort, come to rest? Most note worthy replies:
May we summon the power of our will,
To put forth our best effort still,
With every step and every day,
May we not falter or lose our way.
May our diligence light the path,
As we face obstacles with steadfast heart,
Through every trial and challenge met,
May our effort bring us closer yet.
With the support of all buddhas near,
We'll persevere without fear,
And find the strength we need to be,
All that we aspire to see.
Not forward or back
Striving hard
To stay where we are
To put forth our best effort still,
With every step and every day,
May we not falter or lose our way.
May our diligence light the path,
As we face obstacles with steadfast heart,
Through every trial and challenge met,
May our effort bring us closer yet.
With the support of all buddhas near,
We'll persevere without fear,
And find the strength we need to be,
All that we aspire to see.
Not forward or back
Striving hard
To stay where we are
gassho, Shokai
stlah
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