The Fifty-first of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

The Fifty-first Gate: Realization of Nonappearance

Realization of nonappearance* is a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with it] we experience the truth of cessation. (Nishijima/Cross)
Not having to arouse patience is a gate of realizing dharma; it realizes the truth of eliminating [causes of suffering]. (Tanahashi)

*[Nonappearance: otherwise known as nirvana]

Gate Gatha:
May we, together with all buddhas;
Be mindful of nonappearance,
That we may experience the truth of cessation.

Reflection Prompts:
1. Is "Not having to arouse patience " similar to Nirvana?
2. Does realization lead directly toelimination?
3. Write a new Gate Gatha.

Capping Verse:
Extinguishing self—
Every day
A brand new sunrise

gassho,Shokai
stlah

[Hosai]

無
相

_/\_
hōsai

[Tairin]

Ok. I don’t get this one. I’ll be interested to read what others say


Tairin
sat today and lah

[Choujou]

Reflection Prompts:
1. Is "Not having to arouse patience " similar to Nirvana?
2. Does realization lead directly toelimination?
3. Write a new Gate Gatha.

1. well… when one achieves Nirvana, or cessation… there’s not really much to be patient about anymore! So, I guess I’d have to say yes!

2. No, as there are different stages of realization. When one achieves anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, then yes.

3. May we, together with all Buddhas
Know the peace of supreme realization
And free the universe from all suffering

Gassho,
Choujou

sat/lah today

[Furyu]

I find many of these gates to be circular, or totaulogical. It's like saying "nirvana is a gate to nirvana" or "cessation is a gate to cessation". Some of them seem to express a view from the relative and some from the absolute, like this one. I see this one as case of co-arising. The moment one realizes nonappearance, one realizes the cessation of suffering. When we don't need to rouse patience, causes of suffering disappear. It's more difficult to grasp this one as a "gate" which I normally imagine as an entry point or stepping stone.

#1 But to answer the question, if we are in a state where patience occurs naturally in all circumstances, then our own suffering is automatically lessened as we simply accept what we face. We also reduce the suffering of others as we become less reactive and more caring/attentive. (I am working on this one...)

#2 I don't know.

may buddhas, together with buddhas
live in nonappearance
and experience the cessation of buddhas

Gassho
Fūryū
satlah