The Seventy-second of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

The Seventy-second Gate: Entrustment as a part of the state of truth

Entrustment as a part of the state of truth, is a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with it] conduct is already managed. (Nishijima/Cross)
Branches of letting go are a gate of realizing Dharma; they discern actions. (Tanahashi)

Gate Gatha:

May we, together with all buddhas;
Practice Entrustment as a part of the state of truth,
That our conduct may be surely managed.

Reflection Prompts:
1. How do entrustment or letting go both give way to controlled behaviour?
2. Write a new Gate Gatha.
3. Comment on the Capping Verse.

Capping Verse:

Trust in the Dharma
When all fades
It alone remains

stlah
合掌,生開
gassho, Shokai
stlah
仁道 生開 / Jindo Shokai
"Open to life in a benevolent way"

[Dainei]

1. Entrustment and letting go are the same yet different aspects of accepting the Dharma just is and thus there are no actions to take and no behavior to control. It's self-regulating in a way.

2. May we and all buddhas;
Abide with faith in the Dharma;
That there's nothing to do or not do.

3. Dharma, or the truth, is . . . not needing believers, observers, time or space. Dharma, Buddha tested, Occam approved.

Gassho,
Dainei
SatLah

[Choujou]

Reflection Prompts:
1. How do entrustment or letting go both give way to controlled behaviour?
2. Write a new Gate Gatha.
3. Comment on the Capping Verse.

1. We entrust ourselves to while at the same time letting the self go and allow Buddha to guide us and our actions. When one embodies Buddha, one acts as a Buddha does, and conduct is none other than that of a Buddha.

2.May we, together with all buddhas;
Let go of the self, embody Buddha,
And entrust our conduct to the precepts.

3. Perfect. It says it all.

Gassho,
Choujou

sat/lah today

[Shosho]

1. A leaf trusts a branch to not snap in the strong wind. The trunk is the Dharma, the branches are the collective Sangha, and the leaves are individuals. Some leaves fall, some stay put. Most, if not all leaves, just let go and go with the wind. All to restart again next spring.
2. May we realise there's all and nothing to let go.
3. As clear as truth.

Gassho,
Shoshō
Satlah

[Tairin]

How do entrustment or letting go both give way to controlled behaviour?

For me personally these are both important aspects. A big part of my past stresses was the need to be in control. I needed to plan everything out and have contingency in place. It was tiring and draining. Inevitably thing took their own course. I have learned over time to loosen my grip, let go of the need to be in control, and entrust that things will work out. It has been a journey and definitely not there 100%. I recently made the decision to retire from the work place. My wife and I have planned for this for many years. Regardless, it is a leap because the future is unknown but if I waited for certainty then I’d never retire.


Tairin
sat today and lah