The Thirtieth of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

The Thirtieth Gate: No self-deception.

No self-deception is a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with it] we do not praise ourselves.(Nishijima/Cross)
Not deceiving yourself is a gate of realizing Dharma; it does not allow you to praise yourself. (Tanahashi)

Gate Gatha:
May we, together with all buddhas;
Be mindful of our true feelings and motives,
That we may maintain a state of humility.

Reflection Prompts:
1. How does Self deception not allow us to praise our selves?
2. Is it that we just don't praise ourselves or that the self deception doesn't allow you to ?
3. Write a new Capping Verse.

Capping Verse:
Vanity's not found
By looking
In empty mirrors

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[Choujou]

Reflection Prompts:
1. How does Self deception not allow us to praise our selves?
2. Is it that we just don't praise ourselves or that the self deception doesn't allow you to ?
3. Write a new Capping Verse.

1. By keeping us humble. If one thinks that there is nothing more to learn, grow with, practice, develop… or if one is not honest with oneself about what one feels or thinks, then one is prone to making themselves seems better than they are to themselves, and others. It’s an ego defense, since deep down one really know there is much work to be done, and they aren’t happy with that person. It also requires real effort and work to change oneself fundamentally. Unfortunately, many take the easy path of convenient delusions, continuing their suffering…

2. It’s the no self deception. When we know and acknowledge when and where we are terrible in our lives (doesn’t matter with what) then we are faced with only accepting it and working to change it. No delusions, no excuses, no avoidance… we take it all as it comes “good” and “bad”.

3. The Dharma
can only purify
through verity

Gassho,
Choujou

sat/lah today

[Hosai]

Self-Deception is often a reaction to avoiding unpleasant emotions such as shame... or a sense of unworthiness/ failure to meet personal or societal standards. To avoid confronting the discomfort we may lie to ourselves in order to preserve our feelings of self-worth...

But does that mean that we should try to deliberately pay attention to how we feel hurt and unworthy as opposed to ignoring it?

Lying to ourselves though is not necessary... Human dignity is intrinsic and rooted in the simple fact of being....and is independent of external achievements or validation.

Once we know this FOR SURE, there is no more need to lie to ourselves. It does not rid us of our shortcomings... knowing intimately our strengths and weaknesses we no longer need to worry about being shamed... and the only way to know this is by studying the self...

_/\_
sat/ah
hōsai

[Tairin]

I am not sure I can say anything meaningful that Choujou and Hōsai haven’t said above.

Being honest with one’s self should keep us humble. We all have our flaws and shortcomings.


Tairin
sat today and lah

[Furyu]

I missed the start of the 108 gates this year! Thank you for doing that again, Shokai!

Interesting that the gate points to self-praise, but not self-denigration. Self-deception can work either way - to see ourselves as better or worse than we are. In one case, it should make us more humble, in the other, it could give us more confidence.


Fūryū
Sat/lah