The Thirty-seventh of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

The Thirty-seventh Gate: belief and understanding .

Belief and understanding are a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with them] we decisively comprehend the paramount [truth.](Nishijima/Cross)
Understanding with trust is a gate of realizing Dharma; it clarifies the matter of primary significance. (Tanahashi)

Gate Gatha:
May we, together with all buddhas;
Clarify our beliefs and understandings.
That we may experience reality 'as it is.'

Reflection Prompts:
1. How are 'Belief and understanding ' and ' Understanding with trust ' similar?
2. How do either of these cause us to truly understand the primary truth?
3. W rite a new Capping Verse.

Capping Verse:
Trust in the teachings
Maintain belief
But keep on sitting


gassho, Shokai
stlah

[Choujou]

Reflection Prompts:
1. How are 'Belief and understanding ' and ' Understanding with trust ' similar?
2. How do either of these cause us to truly understand the primary truth?
3. W rite a new Capping Verse.

1. Belief and trust are similar here in regard to the fact that what is understood is not experienced yet. So we trust or believe that what is understood is the truth, even though we have not grasped it yet, but believe and trust that we will. Essentially having faith.

2. No hindrance of mind

3. Sit with faith and trust
that the Dharma
will bring you home

Gassho,
Choujou

sat/lah today

[Furyu]

1. Belief and trust have similar meanings. For me, belief asks us to accept teachings and hold them as true even before we can understand or verify them. Trust is something that I maintain in the hope that the teachings turn out to be true. I suppose that at any point in my practice, I have a measure of both at the same time. Belief and trust do a tango and sit zazen. When this practice ripens, we achieve some understanding.

2. Nothing better to offer than what Choujou has said.

3.
Belief reaches out to trust
Trust and belief dance a tango
Understanding sounds the beat

Gassho
Fūryū
sat/lah

[Tairin]

Trust and belief are very closely tied together. For me , I’d say trust is impossible without belief and belief is impossible without trust.

I don’t know if either of them help me understand the “primary truth” but certainly distrust or disbelief would be significant barriers.


Tairin
sat today and lah