The Forty-sixth of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

he Forty-sixth Gate: the view to expiate causes.

The view to expiate causes is a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with it] we attain salvation.(Nishijima/Cross)
Removing the views of causes is a gate of realizing Dharma; it leads to emancipation. (Tanahashi)

Gate Gatha:
May we, together with all buddhas;
Atone for all of our harmful acts, words and thoughts,
That we may attain salvation.

Reflection Prompts:
1. Does salvation follow atonement automatically?
2. What does the views of causes refer to?
3. How are emancipation and salvation similar?

Capping Verse:
We fall down often
Then get up
Again and again

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[Hosai]

Is there a need to expiate one's causes?

Most people have a deep psychological need for forgiveness.

And yet there is nothing to forgive as we are all pure

Given the same causes and conditions, we would all have chosen the same...

Can you forgive yourself?

_/\_
sat/ah
hōsai

[Choujou]

Reflection Prompts:
1. Does salvation follow atonement automatically?
2. What does the views of causes refer to?
3. How are emancipation and salvation similar?

1. No, one must forsake the wrong actions completely. It is not a “do wrong, atone, and all good” situation in life. No salvation with no change. It’s not about forgiveness, it is about making good changes to yourself and your conduct.

2. I believe this is referencing when one sees what one has done that is wrong. It is when one looks at the past and gets caught up in wallowing in all the negative things one has done… (at least this was how I took it)

3. Both point to a release of restriction and to awakening.

Gassho,
Choujou

sat/lah today

[Furyu]

Understanding the causes of our harmful behaviours is part of alleviating suffering and gaining wisdom. At the same time, one should not cling to past harmful acts or the suffering is perpetuated. I don't know about 'salvation' (that word comes with some baggage from that other religion) but I can understand emancipation flowing from wisdom.


Fūryū
satlah

[Tai Shi]

he Forty-sixth Gate: the view to expiate causes.

The view to expiate causes is a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with it] we attain salvation.(Nishijima/Cross)
Removing the views of causes is a gate of realizing Dharma; it leads to emancipation. (Tanahashi)

Gate Gatha:
May we, together with all buddhas;
Atone for all of our harmful acts, words and thoughts,
That we may attain salvation.

Reflection Prompts:
1. Does salvation follow atonement automatically?
2. What does the views of causes refer to?
3. How are emancipation and salvation similar?

Capping Verse:
We fall down often
Then get up
Again and again

Gassho, Shokai
stlah

Dear friend, where are you this Friday morning? Have you had some accident befall your home or did something come about this Friday? We know not where you are. This Tai Shi. Calm Poetry, where are you this February morning, this 7 or 1 4?
Gassho
lah/sat

[Tairin]

yet there is nothing to forgive as we are all pure

I mostly agree with this. Do your best with the best intentions to follow the Precepts but at the end of the day know that some of our actions have unintended consequences. You may not have meant for them but you can still ask for forgiveness. I at very least try to atone and acknowledge my actions


Tairin
sat today and lah