The Forty-fourth of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

The Forty-fourth Gate: right means.

Right means are a gate of Dharma illumination; for they are accompanied by right conduct.(Nishijima/Cross)
Right skillful means is a gate of realizing Dharma; it embodies right action. (Tanahashi)

Gate Gatha:
May we, together with all buddhas;
Actualize pure intentions,
That we may be assured of right conduct.

Reflection Prompts:
1. In what way are Right Means accompanied by right Conduct?
2. How does Right skillful Means embody Right Action?
3. Are right Conduct and Action the same thing?

Capping Verse:
Balancing the what
With the how
We act as Buddha

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[Choujou]

Reflection Prompts:
1. In what way are Right Means accompanied by right Conduct?
2. How does Right skillful Means embody Right Action?
3. Are right Conduct and Action the same thing?

1. If you are using right skillful means, then your conduct will be right in regard to whatever end you are trying to accomplish.

2.same as above, if you are using skillful means the right way, then all action will be in accordance with the intentions.

3. no, conduct is general behavior, disposition etc, as well as how one takes action. Action is just action

Gassho,
Choujou

sat/lah today

[Furyu]

These are not separate things. If it's right conduct, it's right means; if it's right action, it's skillful. The difficult part is to know what is "right" in the context. I do like the wording in the gatha, to "actualize pure intentions" through our actions or conduct. I can know to some extent what my motivations are and judge if my actions are sincere or deceitful, for example. I would say something like : know your heart and act with the precepts.


Fūryū
satlah

[Tairin]

None of these stand on their own They all support each other


Tairin
sat today and lahimage.png