The Thirty-ninth 0f 108 Gates of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

The Thirty-ninth of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

The Thirty-ninth Gate: not to quarrel .

Not to quarrel is a gate of Dharma illumination; for it stops angry accusations.(Nishijima/Cross)
Not fighting is a gate of realizing Dharma; it keeps you from anger and argument. (Tanahashi)

Gate Gatha:
May we, together with all buddhas;
Practice avoidance of quarreling,
That we may be free from angry accusations.

Reflection Prompts:
1. Consider how Quarreling and fighting lead to anger and argument.
2. What skills can help in avoiding quarrel and fighting?
3. The Capping verse suggests that love replaces anger. does this happen automatically or are there steps involved?

Capping Verse:
See the seed of anger
But don't give it water
Neutralize it with the fire of practice


gassho, Shokai
stlah

[Hosai]

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_/\_
hōsai

[Furyu]

Cats are the answer. Or puppies, if I may say so.
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Anger feeds argument and feeds more anger, etc. Negative feedback loop.
I am not sure that love can automatically or easily replace anger in the moment. You have to catch yourself before the anger spills out. That's why we sit.

See the seed of anger
But don't give it water
Neutralize it with the fire of practice


Fūryū
satlah

[Choujou]

Reflection Prompts:
1. Consider how Quarreling and fighting lead to anger and argument.
2. What skills can help in avoiding quarrel and fighting?
3. The Capping verse suggests that love replaces anger. does this happen automatically or are there steps involved?

1. Things said in the heat of a moment can further fuel the fires of anger, and further the argument and/or intensify it. Better to throw water on it…

2. Silence. Walking away. Acceptance. Equanimity. Just sit!

3. I think it is our natural state, but one must remove the angry and bitter parts to uncover it.

Gassho,
Choujou

sat/lah today