The Sixty-third of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

The Sixty-third Gate: The Power of Belief

The power of belief * is a gate of Dharma illumination; for it surpasses the power of demons. (Nishijima/Cross)
The ability to trust** is a gate of realizing dharma; it excels all demonic power. (Tanahashi)

*[Power of Belief: great or marked ability to have confidence in the truth or existence of something]
**[Trust: reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence ]

Gate Gatha:

May we, together with all buddhas;
Dispel the darkness in our hearts and minds
with the light of unwavering belief

Reflection Prompts:
1. What do you imagine is the power of Demons ?
2. How does Belief or Trust overcome the power of Demons?
3. Your choice, Capping Verse or Gate Gattha .

Capping Verse:

Luminous belief
Dispels all
Our darkest shadows
image.png

stlah

[Choujou]

Reflection Prompts:
1. What do you imagine is the power of Demons ?
2. How does Belief or Trust overcome the power of Demons?
3. Your choice, Capping Verse or Gate Gattha .

1. to cause doubt in the heart and mind, influence and encourage negative emotions and responses, encouraging a breaking of the precepts, distractions during Zazen (nice try, Mara!), fear, malevolence, violence…

2. Having belief and trust, or faith, in the Dharma, does not allow the influences to influence! In fact, when one is aligned with the Dharma, one works to help others overcome these influences and behaviors. Demonic powers need doubt, that’s the door they enter through. Then it’s all downhill from there. Don’t let them in the door!

3. May we, together with all buddhas;
Dispel the darkness in our hearts and minds
with the light of unwavering belief

Gassho,
Choujou

sat/lah today

[Tairin]

1. What do you imagine is the power of Demons ?

Demons, in this case is doubts or lack of confidence

2. How does Belief or Trust overcome the power of Demons?

Belief and trust help us realize that our actions matter. Belief and trust that no matter what the demons throw at us we can be a light in the darkness. This is one place where Sangha really helps. It is an extraordinary person to never waver. The strength of the Sangha is to pick us up when we are feeling down


Tairin
sat today and lah