The Eightieth of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

The Eightieth Gate: Right Practice

Right practice is a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with it] we arrive at the far shore. (Nishijima/Cross)
Right action is a gate of realizing dharma; it leads you to the other shore. (Tanahashi)

Gate Gatha:

May we, together with all buddhas;
Practice Right Action,
That we may attain the other shore.

Reflection Prompts:
1. Explain the difference between arriving or being led to?
2. Explain why enlightenment is not guaranteed ?
3. Write a new Capping Verse.

Capping Verse:

Already perfect
We practice
For that's perfection

stlah
合掌,生開
gassho, Shokai
stlah
仁道 生開 / Jindo Shokai

[Choujou]

Reflection Prompts:
1. Explain the difference between arriving or being led to?
2. Explain why enlightenment is not guaranteed ?
3. Write a new Capping Verse.

1. Taking right action will lead you to the other shore, each right act bringing you a step closer. But it is only through practice that you will finally arrive at the other shore. But it’s all the practice! Right action is right practice and right practice is right action. Right action is the boat, right practice is the oar. Both are needed for the journey.

2. Humans fall into distractions and delusions… and yet we already have enlightenment and don’t know it. It takes work to uncover the hidden jewel within. One has to open one’s own eyes, no one can tell you when your eyes will open. Practice!

3. Rowing correctly
Confident in direction
Sure for the shore

Gassho,
Choujou

sat/lah today

[Furyu]

#1. In this instance, I don't think the translations are very different from each other. Both really say the same thing. Action and practice inform each other and are not separate. I see arriving and being led to as synonyms here.
#2. Interesting question. I am not sure how to answer. No goal, nothing to do. No need for a guarantee.
(BTW there is cool zen-related German movie called "Enlightenmnent Guaranteed" (Erleuchtung garantiert)-1999 - See the trailer here)
#3.
one step on this shore
one step on the other shore
both feet walk together


Fūryū
satlah

[Shokai]

BTW there is cool zen-related German movie called "Enlightenmnent Guaranteed"

Love that movie, saw it just after returning home to Canada

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[Tairin]

Explain why enlightenment is not guaranteed ?

How many people in our lives are even attempting to be enlightened. Most are just going about their lives. Few are making any attempt to live spiritually fulfilling lives. Even if one does follow a path, the three poisons are always traps.


Tairin
sat today and lah