The Sixty-sixth of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

The Sixty-sixth Gate: The Power of Balance

The power of balance* is a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with it] we discontinue all thoughts. (Nishijima/Cross)
The ability of samadhi is a gate of realizing dharma; it becomes free from all thoughts. (Tanahashi)

*[Power of balance: great or marked ability to maintain mental steadiness or emotional stability; habit of calm behavior, judgment]

Gate Gatha:

May we, together with all buddhas;
Actualize the power of balance,
That we may free ourselves from all thoughts.

Reflection Prompts:

1. How does the power of balance cause us to cease all thought?
2. Write a new Capping verse.
3. Write a new Gate Gatha.

Capping Verse:

No ripples can form
In water
Of perfect stillness

stlah
合掌,生開
gassho, Shokai

仁道 生開 / Jindo Shokai
"Open to life in a benevolent way"

https://sarushinzendo.wordpress.com/

[Choujou]

Reflection Prompts:

1. How does the power of balance cause us to cease all thought?
2. Write a new Capping verse.
3. Write a new Gate Gatha.

1. if we are balanced and centered in mind, meaning if we are using our Big mind, then we make no distinctions, no choices, no likes or dislikes… everything is just accepted as it comes. So what is there to think about then?

2. No dust, No dirt
on the dirty,
dusty mirror.

3. May we, together with all buddhas;
Embody the middle way
balanced in all perspectives and actions

Gassho,
Choujou

sat/lah today

[Dainei]

Steadiness or calmness frees us, not from thought, but the conditions where thought forms and we chase like a squirrel.

The morning star shines,
whether seen or not.

May we, together with all buddhas,
Be calm and still
With no thought of chasing a nut.

Gassho,
Dainei
Sat