The Fifty-sixth of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

The Fifty-sixth Gate: The Four Right Exertions

The four right exertions* are a gate of Dharma illumination; for they eliminate all evils and realize many kinds of good. (Nishijima/Cross)
The four types of right effort are a gate of realizing dharma; they prevent all unwholesome actions and lead to wholesome actions. (Tanahashi)

* The four right exertions/ Right Efforts :
1) to prevent bad that has not yet occurred,
2) to cause bad that has already occurred to be extinguished,
3) to cause to occur good that has not yet occurred,
4) to promote the good that has already occurred.
[Exertion / Restraint: vigorous action or effort / the act of holding back, controlling, or checking]

Gate Gatha:

May we, together with all buddhas;
Reflect on the four right exertions,
That we may remove evils and realize many kinds of good..

Reflection Prompts:
1. How do the four right exertions prevent all evils and realize many kinds of good?
2. Do the four right efforts equal mindfulness?
3. Write a new Capping Verse.

Capping Verse:

Singing, soaring harmonious
Transforms the discord
The symphony completes

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[Hosai]

Do good. Dont do bad
No one misses on purpose
The arrow always lands somewhere

_/\_
sat/ah
hōsai

[Choujou]

Reflection Prompts:
1. How do the four right exertions prevent all evils and realize many kinds of good?
2. Do the four right efforts equal mindfulness?
3. Write a new Capping Verse.

1. By ensuring that all intentions and actions are wholesome and not harmful.

2. This one kind of stumps me a little…I would say no… one must be mindful of right effort when dealing with the world, but I don’t equate it to mindfulness itself. Mindfulness is awareness and acceptance, whereas right effort/exertion is action. A decision/distinction has been made and a course taken.

3. Singing, soaring harmonious
Transforms the discord
The symphony complete

Gassho,
Choujou

sat/lah today

[Tairin]

Do the four right efforts equal mindfulness?

I don’t think they are equal but for certain I believe that being mindful of our words, thoughts, and actions is key to following the Four Exertions. What is “good” and what is “bad”? I don’t think there is a definitive answer to this. “Good” and “bad” are relative to the situation. Stealing bread is “bad” but using that bread to feed a starving person is “good”. It is a matter of intent and being mindful of the karmic implications


Tairin
sat today and lah

[Furyu]

Like Tairin says, good and bad are not easily defined. But assuming we can distinguish the two to some extent, 'do good, don't do bad' (As Hosai says) logically reduces harm and increases well being.
To actively work on the 4 exertions requires mindfulness. I don't think they are the same thing but they can be a mindfulness practice.

pulling endless weeds
watering endless gardens
endless dharma blossoms

Gasshō
Fūryū
satlah