The Forty-second of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

The Forty-second Gate: love of Dharma illumination.

Love of Dharma illumination is a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with it] we attain Dharma illumination.(Nishijima/Cross)
Love of realizing Dharma is a gate of realizing Dharma; for it leads to realizing Dharma. (Tanahashi)

Gate Gatha:
May we, together with all buddhas;
Nurture a strong affection for the Dharma,
That we may attain Dharma illumination.

Reflection Prompts:
Gate 42 is so similar to Gate 41, you may want to or not add to yesterday's comment; or reiterate Why you are here and write a new Capping Verse.

Capping Verse:
Embracing Dharma
Is Dharma
For love begets love

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[Hosai]

42!?

_/\_
hōsai

[Choujou]

Well who doesn’t love chocolate? The Buddha’s chocolate is the sweetest of all…

I am here to know the fullness of the true Dharma, which is Buddha, which is love, compassion, understanding... All one.

True understanding
of the Dharma
-Through love-
of the Dharma
True Understanding



Gassho,
Choujou

sat/lah today

[Tairin]

My initial reaction was that love and enjoyment are not the same thing. I enjoy the study of Dharma. Do I love it? I’ll have to think about that. It seems likely I make this comment every year

Enjoy Dharma
Love Dharma
Embrace Dharma


Tairin
sat today and lah

[Furyu]

Some of these are not obvious. Loving the idea of dharma illumination seems like grasping at enlightenment, but our practice is thinking non-thinking and not grapsing. However, love is the right direction. Is this a case of faking it till you make it? The gatha seems to say this as well "embracing dharma is dharma". mmm...

grasping at dharma with love
one becomes dharma
and loosens one's grip


Fūryū
satlah

[Furyu]

42!?

_/\_
hōsai

Yes, but what is the question?
(Sorry, couldn't resist)


Fūryū
satlah