Gate 1/108 gates of Dharma Illumination

[Jinjitsu]

Hello everyone! Here’s my reflection:

I think for me the Gate of Right Belief is the sense of trust that Buddha nature is within us all and that this path is the way to embody that Buddha nature, even when it’s obscured or difficult to trust that it’s possible.

Dealing with stress and fatigue and travel this time of year, it’s reassuring to know that not only is it possible to act in such a way to bring peace and love to those around, but also that many others have walked this path before and proven it to be true. The more I practice the more I see for myself that it is true. And I think that fosters a steadfast devotion which won’t be broken in moments of discouragement.

Gassho,
Josh
satlah

[Shinshi]

Hi Folks,

I don't know how many folks use Twitter/X anymore since the regime change, but a few years ago I wrote a script that posts the text for each Dharma gate to Twitter - if you have any interest you can find the handle at:

108 Dharma Gates Daily on X (formerly Twitter) >>

The script sits on a Raspberry Pi in our guest room and occasionally it needs a reboot. But makes the posts pretty reliable each day.

I am not sure why there is a huge exclamation mark on the link. It is safe (but it is twitter)

Gassho,

Shinshi

[Furyu]

I first feel a bit ambiguous reading this gate because ‘belief’ is a tricky word, so is ‘right’ - but after some reflection, I think I can get the feel of it. For me, right belief is a first step on the path. Encountering the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, etc. opens the gate of Dharma practice. With steadfast practice, the mind is less prone to the ups and downs of samsara - it is not broken as easily. I do prefer 'right view' although I think both ideas (belief/view - or even faith) co-exist. We start with faith in the path and lived experience bears it out.

Gasshō
sat-lah
Fūryū