The Fifty-seventh of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

The Fifty-seventh Gate: The Four Bases of Mystical Power

The four bases of mystical power* are a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with them] the body-and-mind is light. (Nishijima/Cross)
The four types of fulfillment are a gate of realizing dharma; they lead to lightness of body and mind. (Tanahashi)

*The four bases of mystical power / acting at will :
1) chanda (volition),
2) vīrya (effort),
3) citta (intelligence),
4) mīmāṃsā (profound consideration)

Gate Gatha:

May we, together with all buddhas;
Reflect on acting at will,
That we may remove weight of decisions

Reflection Prompts:
1. How do the four basis of Mystical power lighten the body and mind?
2. In what way are these four powers mystical?
3. Write a new Verse.

Capping Verse:

Lightly walking the path
Accepting all as it comes
Flowing with every decision

gassho,Shokai
stlah

[Hosai]

無神通
無魔境
無妄想
無方便
無呪術
無顔
無靴
無悟り

_/\_
sat/ah
hōsai

[Shokai]

Trailers for sale or rent
No mystic powers
no ominous place
no delusions or fantasies
no expedient means
no magic or sorcery
no face
no shoes
don't pay no union dues

[Tairin]

I don’t really care for the reference to “mystical powers”.

I like the “acting at will” or more specific will to action. Doing good things with intent leads to a less troubled life.


Tairin
sat today and lah

[Choujou]

Reflection Prompts:
1. How do the four basis of Mystical power lighten the body and mind?
2. In what way are these four powers mystical?
3. Write a new Verse.

1. If used well, they penetrate the meaning of the Dharma, with nothing to disturb the mind.

2. Nothing special, just our faculties trying to make sense of it all.

3. Lightly walking the path
Accepting all as it comes
Flowing with every decision

Gassho,
Choujou

sat/lah today

[Furyu]

When you know you're doing your best and are being mindful, it brings some lightness of mind/heart. But it doesn't necessarily mean you stop thinking or worrying about unforseen results.
Mystical powers is strange to me. I understand them as the willingness to act diligently with care and thought. Everyday stuff, but at the same time special because it's hard to do this all the time.

lightness of being
chopping wood
carrying water

Gasshō
Fūryū
sat-lah