The Seventieth of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

The Seventieth Gate: Effort as a Part of the State of Truth

Effort*, as a part of the state of truth, is a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with it] we become proficient in realization. (Nishijima/Cross)
Branches of making effort are a gate of realizing dharma; they perceive well. (Tanahashi)

Gate Gatha:

May we, together with all buddhas;
Graciously put forth the effort needed
To perceive reality as it is.

Reflection Prompts:

1. How does effort help us to become proficient in realization?
2. Is becoming proficient in realization the same as perceiving well?
3. Write a new Gate Gatha

Capping Verse:

Practice perfection
And become
What we've always been

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[Choujou]

Reflection Prompts:

1. How does effort help us to become proficient in realization?
2. Is becoming proficient in realization the same as perceiving well?
3. Write a new Gate Gatha

1. Practice makes perfect! The more effort we put in, the better we get at what it is we are putting effort into.

2. Yes, most of the time we perceive things through the filter of our own small minds. Perceiving well is becoming proficient in realization! We begin to realize the true nature of things instead of through the small-mind filter.

3. May we, together with all buddhas;
Graciously put forth the effort needed
To perceive reality as it is.

Gassho,
Choujou

sat/lah today

[Tairin]

I didn’t know what to make of this Gate until I read Choujou’s response

Practice makes perfect


Tairin
sat today and lah