The Sixtieth of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

The Sixtieth Gate: The Faculty of Mindfulness

The faculty of mindfulness* is a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with it] we thoroughly perform many kinds of work. (Nishijima/Cross)
The root of mindfulness is a gate of realizing dharma; it leads to various wholesome actions. (Tanahashi)

*[Mindfulness: keeping aware; heedful: mindful of your duties]

Gate Gatha:

May we, together with all buddhas;
Apply mindfulness in our practice
That we may thoroughly perform many kinds of work

Reflection Prompts:
1. How do wholesome actions differ from many kinds of work?
2. How does mindfulness achieve in leading to either of these?
3. Write a new Gate Gatha.

Capping Verse:

Fully attentive
To what is
Dharma’s work is done

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[Choujou]

Reflection Prompts:
1. How do wholesome actions differ from many kinds of work?
2. How does mindfulness achieve in leading to either of these?
3. Write a new Gate Gatha.

1. When mindful, it is true that it will help one to thoroughly complete whatever work they are doing, but being mindful is also a moment of Zazen in action. We stay present and aware, fully in that moment and with whatever we are doing. Being in this state will also lead on to wholesome actions that may not necessarily have to do with work. Perhaps a smile to someone who is sad, an encouraging word to a disheartened fellow, an apple to someone who is hungry… in a way there isn’t a lot of difference between them. Work is wholesome action, and sometimes wholesome action takes work!

2. The mind of the Buddha… how could it not?!

3. May we, together with all buddhas;
Be present and mindful of our actions
So that all deeds are wholesome

Gassho,
Choujou

sat/lah today

[Tairin]

1. How do wholesome actions differ from many kinds of work?

I think the intention is that they mean the same thing but just taking the words “many kinds of work” in isolation “work” may also include unwholesome actions.

2. How does mindfulness achieve in leading to either of these?

As we often see, actions can often lead to unwholesome outcomes, sometimes unintentionally. Through mindfulness we hope to cultivate the intention to only perform wholesome activities


Tairin
sat today and lah

[Furyu]

The translations seem quite different. I think 'thoroughly perform' is important as that is the part refering to 'mindfulness' with respect to the 'many actions'. When one engages fully in whatever is being done, it is done mindfully. Seen that way, it is close to the idea (2nd translation) that mindfulness leads to 'wholesome actions'.

It depends on how we approach mindfulness. If it is simply a 'neutral' paying attention, the result may or may not be wholesome. If mindfulness includes the precepts, then we are more likely to produce wholesome results. Intention matters.

May we, together with all buddhas;
Weave the precepts with mindfulness
That our actions always be wholesome

Gasshō
Fūryū
sat-lah