The fifty-third of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

The Fifty-third Gate: Feeling as an Abode of Mindfulness

Feeling* as an abode of mindfulness is a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with it] we detach from all miscellaneous feelings. (Nishijima/Cross)
The ground of mindfulness of perception is a gate of realizing dharma; it frees all perceptions. (Tanahashi)

*[Feeling: the general state of consciousness considered independently of particular sensations, thoughts, etc.]

Gate Gatha: (Thanks to Choujo, we have a new Gatha )
May we, together with all Buddhas,
Open the hand of thought and emotion,
and perceive all as it truly is

Reflection Prompts:
1. How does mindfulness of Feelings free us from perceptions?
2. How do we benefit from detaching from feelings?
3. Write a new Gatha.

Capping Verse:
Forget this and that
Focus on
Feeling, not the felt

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[Hosai]

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_/\_
sat/ah
hōsai

[Choujou]

Reflection Prompts:
1. How does mindfulness of Feelings free us from perceptions?
2. How do we benefit from detaching from feelings?
3. Write a new Gatha.

1. because that awareness is before distinctions and judgements… it’s before the words…

2. Because they pull awareness away from Buddha Nature, and allow thoughts to follow. Detaching from them allows us to remain steadfast in our awareness of just this.

3. May we, together with all Buddhas,
Open the hands of thought and emotion,
and perceive all as it truly is

Gassho,
Choujou

sat/lah today

[Tairin]

1. How does mindfulness of Feelings free us from perceptions?
2. How do we benefit from detaching from feelings?

Answering both questions here. I think that being mindful of our feelings helps us realize when we may be being pulled around by them. Anger is a great example. Anger has a way of just developing and progressing to the point where it can become blinding. Being mindful of when we feel angry and how we express it can provide us the distance we need to detach from it and not let it encompass us.




Tairin
sat today and lah

[Furyu]

Fūryū
satlah