The Thirty-third of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

The Thirty-third Gate: Awareness of time.

Awareness of time is a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with it] we do not treat spoken teaching lightly.(Nishijima/Cross)
Being aware of time is a gate of realizing Dharma; it does not allow you to speak lightly. (Tanahashi)

Gate Gatha:
May we, together with all buddhas;
Embrace mindfulness of time,
That we may focus during teisho.

Reflection Prompts:
1. How does the awareness of time relate to our treatment of the spoken word?
2. Does awareness of time cause us not to speak lightly?
3. Comment on the nuance expressed in the Capping Verse.

Capping Verse:
Hearing Buddha's words
Act quickly!
Life depends on it

gassho,Shokai
stlah

[Choujou]

Reflection Prompts:
1. How does the awareness of time relate to our treatment of the spoken word?
2. Does awareness of time cause us not to speak lightly?
3. Comment on the nuance expressed in the Capping Verse.

1. We are always whisking ourselves away to the future or the past in our minds… sometimes present, but often we are not. Mindfulness of the present moment, the here and now, that is the living Buddha, and living Dharma. When we are distracted by the small mind, we are not present during Teisho (or other times when we are in conversation with someone). Being aware of this, as well as staying present in the here and now will ensure that we maximize our practice time and not waste any second on small mind nonsense.

2. In a way, yes. You become more aware of how precious every moment is and more mindful of not wasting those moments on frivolous things, or light, unnecessary speech.

3. Life is short,
Zen hard.

also,

Tempus Fugit, Carpe Dharma.

Gassho,
Choujou

sat/lah today

[Dainei]

In "Uji" Dogen says:

"At the time the mountains were climbed and the
rivers crossed, you were present. Time is not separate from you, and as you are present, time
does not go away.
As time is not marked by coming and going, the moment you climbed the
mountains is the time-being right now. If time keeps coming and going, you
are the time-being right now."

Time is the time-being right now and words spoken at this time-being (right now) reflect how one practices the right speech on the Noble Eightfold Path. Speaking lightly or reactively could be idle speech; just babbling instead of with a purpose that promotes harmony.

Actions speak louder than words.

Gassho
DN
Sat

[Furyu]

1 & 2
Knowing time is short, we focus on the words of teachers
Knowing timelessness, words are superfluous

3
What is the use of ears if eyes, hands and heart don't follow?
If not Buddha now, when?
Who will save all sentient beings?

Gassho
Fūryū
Sat/lah