The Ninth Of 108 gates of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

The Ninth Gate: Mindfulness of Dharma

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

Gate Gatha:
May we, together with all buddhas
Actualize the skill of mindfulness
That our reflection on the Dharma may be
Complete, sincere and without defilement. (Pure)

Reflection Prompts:

1. In what way does purity make our reflection on Dharma complete?
2. How do you suppose mindfulness makes Dharma pure?
3. Why is it necessary to visualize Dharma to obtain pure reflection?

Capping Verse:
Like the air we breathe
Truth is found
Within and without

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[Tairin]

The way I see it there are many, many opportunities throughout the day to engage with the dharma but only with a certain mindfulness and awareness will those opportunities be apparent.


Tairin
sat today and lah

[Choujou]

Reflection Prompts:

1. In what way does purity make our reflection on Dharma complete?
2. How do you suppose mindfulness makes Dharma pure?
3. Why is it necessary to visualize Dharma to obtain pure reflection?


1. When we look upon all dharma with purity of mind, we look at everything without judgement, attachment, defilement, duality… thus we reflect the whole of reality as it is, complete and whole with nothing to add or subtract.

2. same as above! We drop all dualities, judgements etc.

3. Because all is Buddha! Look and see!

Gassho,
Jay

sat/lah today

[Hosai]

HO