The eighth of 108 Gates of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

The Eighth Gate: Mindfulness of Buddha

Mindfulness of the Buddha is a gate of Dharma illumination; for (with it) reflection of(the state of ) Buddha is pure. (Nishijima/Cross)
Mindfulness of the buddha is a gate of realizing dharma; it visualizes the buddha in purity. (Tanahashi)

Gate Gatha:
May we, together with all buddhas
Actualize mindfulness;
That our reflection on the Buddha may b
Complete, Sincere and without Defilement. (Pure)

Reflection Prompts:

1. In what way does purity make our reflection of Buddha complete?
2. How do you suppose mindfulness removes defilement?
3. Why is it necessary to visualize Buddha to obtain pure reflection?

Capping Verse:

The moon reflected
In water
Is no less a moon

gassho, Shokai

[Hosai]

Purity!?

_/\_
sat/ah
matt

[Choujou]

Reflection Prompts:

1. In what way does purity make our reflection of Buddha complete?
2. How do you suppose mindfulness removes defilement?
3. Why is it necessary to visualize Buddha to obtain pure reflection?

1. If we are pure in mind, without judgements and distinctions, then we reflect the Buddha as it is, with nothing to add or take away. Perfectly whole and complete.

2. By accepting everything.

3. I think here, again, it means to see everything as it is, for what it is, with no judgements or thought of what is being “visualized”… but to just take it all in as it comes. Let it flow… let your awareness pierce through back to you, and reflect the Buddha!

Gassho,
Jay

sat/lah today

[Tairin]

1. In what way does purity make our reflection of Buddha complete?

Among the many aspects of Buddha, Buddha is an aspiration. We likely do all come to this practice with the imagery of a serene, pure, and calm in mind.

2. How do you suppose mindfulness removes defilement?

I feel I answered the with Gate 7. https://forum.treeleaf.org/forum/tre...355#post538355


3. Why is it necessary to visualize Buddha to obtain pure reflection?

I am not sure. I don’t tend to visualize Buddha. I don’t have any Buddha statues or figures in the house. I don’t feel they are necessary.


Tairin
sat today and lah