43 / 108 Gates of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

29 Quaint gate.jpg
一百八法明門
IPPYAKUHACHI-HOMYOMON
One Hundred and Eight Gates of Dharma-Illumination

[43] Pursuit of abundant knowledge is a gate of Dharma-illumination; for [with it] we truly reflect on the form of the Dharma.

In Buddhism, the pursuit of knowledge is a highly regarded endeavor, the intention is to transform "knowledge" into "wisdom." It is not merely the academic accumulation of facts, but a purposeful, lifelong quest to gain understanding, wisdom, and insight to overcome ignorance and suffering. The direct insight into the nature of reality that leads to liberation. The pursuit of knowledge should be driven by the desire to free oneself and others from suffering, rather than for ego, vanity, or mundane gain.

What are you already doing in your day-to- day practice that complies with this gate.


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

[Ryūdō-Liúdào]

For me, pursuing abundant knowledge means bringing study into lived experience. I read daily, mostly philosophy, but I always ask: How does this show up on the cushion and in daily life? If it doesn’t change how I sit, speak, or respond, it remains theoretical and eventually falls away.

I’ve always been drawn to seeking the truth of this life, understanding the nature of reality and the natural flow of things. This first led me to philosophy in general, then to Daoism, and later to Zen, but I see it now more as peeking through the door. Only through experience does understanding become knowing, and one thereby walks through the doors themselves. Each insight, when truly embodied, becomes another step on an endless path of practice and living.

Gasshō,
流道-Ryūdō-Liúdào
Satlah

[Tenryu]

This gate makes me feel that I am exactly where I should be. In daily practice, the pursuit of knowledge shows up very simply. I read slowly, return to the same texts, and spend time letting them settle rather than moving on quickly. I reflect, sit with questions, and allow understanding to ripen on its own.

The image that fits for me is preparing a meal. I choose what I take in, I pay attention to what nourishes the mind, and I leave aside what feels empty or overstimulating. I’m not studying for recognition or to present anything to others. I’m feeding practice itself. When knowledge is taken in this way, it becomes sustenance that quietly supports how I live and practice each day.

Gasshō,
Tenryū
st LaH

[Choujou]

I try to do daily readings on my own, and right now I am doing the stories of the lotus sutra reading with the sangha. I read articles on Buddhism and zen when I come across them, talk with priests, ask questions… I’m always wanting to learn more

I have always studied and persued truth in spirituality. I amassed quite a library of books on spirituality and religion, however, as part of my practice and also because I feel I have finally come “home” to Zen, I began to give away my books to those I felt could use them and who were curious, asking questions, and on a journey of their own. While there are some that have had a sudden awakening, most are guided along the path by the Dharma and Sangha, sharing knowledge and wisdom together. When it comes to the knowledge, I do realize that one can get lost in the words and the form… so it is crucial to put what we learn into action, not a mental construct, and become what we learn. To experience it fully, not just in the brain/thoughts. So, we must “learn the words to forget them”

Gassho,
Choujou

sat/lah today

[Tairin]

Thank you Shokai

One of the pillars of my Practice is to participate in the book readings and also to listen to the Dharma talks by the priests here at TreeLeaf.

I’ll add one more which is my annual participation in your 108 Gate teachings.

I try to not over intellectualize but instead absorb the teachings and as Jundo says sink into the bones.


Tairin
sat today and lah

[Tensei]

I read dharma-related literature daily. One way I avoid 'accumulation' and embrace 'experience' with my reading it to remind myself that this reading isn't an academic exercise. The point is to experience the text and message behind the text, to see how I reflect on it and how it reflects on my life.

Gassho,
Tensei
satlah

[Chikyou]

Pursuit of knowledge is one of my favorite things. I find myself delighted by the sheer number of things to read and learn. I practice with this gate by participating in ango studies, book club etc.

Gassho,
SatLah,
Chikyō

[Seikan]

I see this gate as a reminder that I should never stop seeking to learn—that is, I should remain open to the fact that I will never "know" everything as there is always something else, something new to learn and understand. Life is an endless journey of discovery and learning. Such is the Dharma—timeless and infinite. Whenever I think I may actually have even just a rudimentary understanding of the Dharma, that is when I am most likely the farthest away from "knowing" it.

Surely I continue to read, study and practice, but I learned very early on in my days as a philosophy student in college that the more I "learn", the more I realize I don't "know" much at all. And I'm generally ok with that.



Gassho,
Seikan
stlah