The Seventh of 108 Gates of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

The Seventh Gate: Pure Conduct/Practice (of the Actions) of the Mind

Pure conduct of the actions of the mind is a gate of Dharma illumination; for it eliminates the three poisons*. (Nishijima/Cross)
Pure practice of the mind is a gate of realizing dharma; it keeps the mind from the three types of poison*. (Tanahashi)

*greed, anger, and ignorance

Gate Gatha:
May we, together with all buddhas
Perfect our skill of controlling our practice/actions of the mind;
That the three poisons may be removed.

Reflection Prompts:
Where have you heard before of the three poisons? Hint: Look at Gate 2
How do you suppose the mind eliminates the three poisons?
What, if any, is the difference between illuminating or realizing the Dharma?

Capping Verse:
Mind pure as silver
Becomes stained
When left unpolished

[Tairin]

How do you suppose the mind eliminates the three poisons?

I think this is a conscious effort through mindfulness, awareness and reflection. Practice. Practice. Practice.


Tairin
sat today and lah

[Hosai]

Reflection Prompts: Where have you heard before of the three poisons? Hint: Look at Gate 2:

Binging, hitting, and being stupid...

How do you suppose the mind eliminates the three poisons?

Peeing, pooping and throwing up

What, if any, is the difference between illuminating or realizing the Dharma?

Yes

_/\_
sat/ah
matt

[Dainei]

In the first two verses of the Dhammapada¹ it says "Mind precedes all mental states. Mind is their chief; they are all mind-wrought." If the mind is conditioned by the poison(s) the produced thoughts will be tainted, and the obverse as well. Happiness or suffering is the result of the difference between poison or no-poison mental condition.

Dogen wrote In “Instructions to the Cook”² that one should maintain a joyful mind, an elder's mind, and a great mind when engaging in work. Treat your mind well, feed it good stuff and not poison and that will act as it's immunization. But while all these words can "illuminate" the dharma, "realize" it by, as Tairin said . . . practice! I'm going to make some soup this afternoon.³

Gassho,
Bill
Sat
_______________________________________
Note 1 - https://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/scrndhamma.pdf
Note 2 - https://terebess.hu/zen/dogen/Tenzo1.html
Note 3 - https://www.sotozen.com/eng/practice.../recipe39.html

[Shokai]

Practice


My first supervisor when I was promoted to management some 56 years ago, had a mantra; “Because God gave you two(2) ears and one(1) mouth is a good indication that you should LISTEN twice as much as you SPEAK.” Mournfully, I did not adhere to that concept over the years. I spoke (out of turn) more than a few times. You would think a person could learn. However, every thing comes at its own time and fortunately, I have come to a better place. I recall my shakuhachi teacher in Kawaguchi would always encourage me with, “Renshu, renshu.” The kanji for that is 練習 which translates as “practice.” Recently, I read of a concept known as “ShuSho” which in itself is a combination of the kanj; 聞思修証 (Mon Shi Shu Sho) meaning: “Hear, Think, Practice, Verification” ( I like better this kanji for ‘practice’. Notice how the three bottom stokes remind you of polishing an object in your hand.修) The kanji 証(sho) is synonymous with 覚(Kaku) & 悟(Go), “awaken & enlighten”; sometimes these three are used interchange-ably when discussing enlightenment . I have stylized the first three kanji of this concept and printed myself a small reminder to hang above my work space. (an image of this appears to the above) I am pleased to report that this concept along with prodding from my teachers* have already started me on a better path in my practice.

*Everyone is a teacher

[Choujou]

Buddha mind in its natural state does not contain the three poisons.

illuminating the Dharma to me would be to better understand the Dharma or to see the Dharma through pure conduct of the mind. Realizing the Dharma is allowing what is already there to unfold through practice

Gassho,
Jay

sat/lah today