The Fifth of 108 Gates of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

The Fifth Gate: Right Conduct/Practice of the Body

Right conduct of the actions of the body is a gate of Dharma illumination; for (with it) the three kinds of behaviour* are pure. (Nishijima/Cross)
Right practice of the body is a gate of realizing dharma; for the three actions* are kept pure. (Tanahashi)

*actions of body, speech, and mind/thoughts.

Gate Gatha:
May we, together with all buddhas
Actualize the skill of controlling our practice/actions of the body;
That the three forms of behavior may be cleansed.

Reflection Prompts:

What would you say is the distinction between mind and thought?
Explain the difference between actions and practice?
Once again, what is the importance of purification

Capping Verse:
Best to be Buddha
Here and now
Never tomorrow

Gassho,Shokai
stlah

[Hosai]

Right conduct of the actions of the body is a gate to Dharma illumination; for through it, the three kinds of behavior—body, speech, and mind—are purified, becoming unified in the practice of mindfulness and presence. The body, as the vehicle of awareness, embodies the teachings, transforming ordinary activities into opportunities for awakening.

Even though we can have thoughts of the past, present and future, we can only be aware of them in the present. The body is always experiencing the present whether or not we are aware.

Purification is only necessary if it is necessary…

_/\_
sat/ah
matt

[Tairin]

Every night as I climb into bed I recite the Verse of Atonement. It gives me a moment to reflect on my words, thought, and actions of the day. I specifically try to focus on the words, the thoughts and the actions. Inevitably in every case there was some instance throughout the day where I could have been more skillful in my use words, thoughts, and actions. It is an opportunity to hopefully remind myself of my commitments


Tairin
sat today and lah

[Choujou]

Thought is a product of the brain, just as a heartbeat is the product of the heart, and breath a product of the lungs. The mind is what can be aware of it all, and experiences all that the senses and intellect take in. It pierces through all of it and back to the self…which is this moment, right here, right now.

There is a difference between practice and action?

Right conduct and practice lead to actions that align with the Dharma, and in doing so purification can be achieved through realization. The impure becomes clean, defilements swept away… the Buddha shines through it all…

Gassho,
Jay

sat/lah today

[Dainei]

This gate deals with "the body" and how it relates to our practice and how practice relates to the body. It's circular. Practice is making the effort to see clearly what’s arising or happening right now, without judgement or attachment, and informs us how to make good decisions about the actions we take based on what we feel and perceive. If i have a healthy body and less weight (which is a very significant issue for me - staying/getting healthy and losing weight) then I'll be able to sit without strain and balance issues causing back pain. Taking care of the body helps still sitting and still sitting helps me realize the second piece of pie is not helpful and useful to practice. My "mind" may receive the input from the senses but the "thought" generated and to be acted upon is where, in my humble opinion, the rubber meets the road. Yet my thoughts - that pie was really tasty - can in turn influence my mind UNLESS the circle is refocused or bounded by the idea of being pure - or purification - of thought/word/deed to lead to consistent/genuine practice.

I'm not sure what I'm trying to explain, but I'm not having any pie.

Gassho,
Bill
Sat

[Koriki]

Every night as I climb into bed I recite the Verse of Atonement. It gives me a moment to reflect on my words, thought, and actions of the day. I specifically try to focus on the words, the thoughts and the actions. Inevitably in every case there was some instance throughout the day where I could have been more skillful in my use words, thoughts, and actions. It is an opportunity to hopefully remind myself of my commitments


Tairin
sat today and lah

Wow. An excellent example of how to practice.

It does seem like the challenge is to have some present moment awareness when I am doing/saying/thinking, which gives rise to a feeling of purpose or intention with actions. Or it's the other way around. Either way I think if I'm aware of what I'm actually doing or saying, vs just reacting or blurting, things seem to fall within my practice intentions.

Gassho,
Koriki
s@lah