The Twenty-eighth of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

The Twenty-eighth Gate: Recognition of kindness.

Recognition of kindness is a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with it] we do not throw away good roots.(Nishijima/Cross)
Knowing another person’s kindness is a gate of realizing Dharma; it keeps the wholesome roots from being abandoned. ( Tanahashi)

Gate Gatha:
May we, together with all buddhas;
Be mindful in the presence of kindness,
That we may preserve the good roots that have been nurtured until now.

Reflection Prompts:
1. How does the recognition of kindness ensure the retention of good roots?
2. What are good roots? (didn't I ask this before?)
3. Write a new verse.

Capping Verse:
Embrace the kindness
Of others
So they may grow too

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[Hosai]

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_/\_
sat/ah
matt

[Tairin]

I sometimes have trouble recognizing the kindness of others. Maybe I get wrapped up a little too much in my own life, my own thoughts, etc and I fail to see that others around me are acting in kindness. Worse…. Sometimes I act poorly to other’s acts of kindness. I am a work in progress.


Tairin
sat today and lah

[Meishin]

Me too, Tairin. Yesterday we had houseguests, a couple who are Evangelical Christians. I stumbled through supper when he took my hand and asked "the head of the household" to say the blessing. I am not accustomed to offering ecumenical blessings. But later as we were talking, they told us of work they do in a food pantry beginning at 4:30 AM three days a week. They act as medical resources there, nurse and doctor, as well as grocery cart fillers. My first instinct, I must admit, was to try and come up with something I do that's in that ball park. Then the knee-jerk response abruptly stopped, and I focused on expressing much appreciation for their work. It was as if a soft breeze came through the room. They smiled, we smiled, and the ecumenical walls came tumbling down.

Gassho
Meishin
stlah

[Tairin]

Meishin .

[Choujou]

Reflection Prompts:
1. How does the recognition of kindness ensure the retention of good roots?
2. What are good roots? (didn't I ask this before?)
3. Write a new verse.

1. To not recognize kindness or to treat kindness badly will poison the roots and kill the flowering heart.

2. The way a person was taught and raised, as well as their choices in the fundamentals of being a good human being.

3. Recognizing kindness in others,
We water the good roots
And watch as the flower of the heart opens

Gassho,
Jay

sat/lah today