The Twenty-seventh of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

The Twenty-seventh Gate: The Three Devotions.

The Three Devotions* are a gate of Dharma illumination; for they purify the three evil worlds**.(Nishijima/Cross)
Taking refuge in the three(treasures)* is a gate of realizing Dharma; it purifies the three unwholesome paths**. (Tanahashi)

* Devotion to/ refuge in; the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha
** the formless world, the world of form and the world of desire

Gate Gatha:
May we, together with all buddhas;
devote ourselves to the three treasures,
and see everything as it truly is.

Reflection Prompts:
1. Are Refuge and devotion synonymous?
2. In what way do they purify the Evil/ unwholesome paths?
3. Your choice, write a newcapping verse or Gatha.

Capping Verse:
Brightest of all stars—
Luminous
Are the Three Jewels

gassho,Shokai
stlah

[Choujou]

Reflection Prompts:
1. Are Refuge and devotion synonymous?
2. In what way do they purify the Evil/ unwholesome paths?
3. Your choice, write a newcapping verse or Gatha.

1. Yes, that is what is meant by the word “refuge” in Zen.

From Nishijima Roshi:

” Gudo: Those are the ‘Buddha,’ the ‘Dharma’ and the ‘Sangha’ ….. the three highest values to which we Buddhists should feel tremendous devotion, and therefore to be called the ‘Three Devotions.’ In Sanskrit, these three are referred to by the name 'ratna-traya,' which can be translated as well as the ‘Three Jewels.’ I very much prefer both these terms to the often used Buddhist term ‘The Three Refuges,’ for refuge strikes me as a concept which has been influenced by an idea of 'salvation' in Christian theology, for example, by an external savior. It is rather different.”

2. You see things as they truly are, accept all as it is (even while trying to change the “bad” and make things better for all sentient beings) , and are not clouded by delusion and desires, thus allowing one to make good choices and do acts in harmony with Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. One also realizes that all is Buddha, Dharma, Sangha…

3. May we, together with all buddhas;
devote ourselves to the three treasures,
and see everything as it truly is.


Gassho,
Jay

sat/lah today

[Tairin]

Are Refuge and devotion synonymous?

Yes but not in the typical Christian/Western way of thinking. I’ll use another loaded term “faith”. I think this gate is talking about faith in this practice. Faith that this is the right path.


Tairin
sat today and lah