80 of 108 Gates of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

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

[90] The diligence paramita is a gate of Dharma-illumination; for [with it] we completely attain all good dharmas, and we teach and guide lazy living beings.

The Diligence Paramita, or "Joyful Effort," is the fourth of the Mahayana perfections, representing energetic, enthusiastic perseverance in cultivating virtue and benefiting others. It is the "wind" that drives all other paramitas, acting as the antidote to laziness, apathy, and discouragement on the path to liberation.

When it comes to the fourth perfection it sort of livens my practice; probably no longer feeling that "this is work." How does that make you feel?


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

[Ryūdō-Liúdào]

Ha! This really follows what I just said for Gate 89

As an easy-going, joyful fool, I find I end up inspiring myself. Every moment of clarity, every moment of awareness before reacting... it all adds a bit more momentum and encourages me to keep going. "It’s turtles all the way down," in the best way hahaha.

It used to feel like a lot more work, but once the ball gets rolling down the lane, it really starts to pick up speed. Strike!

Gasshō,
流道-Ryūdō-Liúdào
Satlah

[Tenryu]

Diligence here doesn’t feel like effort in the usual sense. Practice rarely feels like work to me, it’s much more natural. Oftentimes there’s a lightness in doing what needs to be done, especially when it helps someone. A quiet joy appears, but it can’t be aimed at or produced. If I try to hold onto it, it’s already gone. It’s like a snowflake—clear for a brief moment, then gone again. In those moments, things just move on their own.

Gasshō,
Tenryū
satt•LaH

[Tairin]

Thank you Shokai.

I am in the same camp as you and the others who have responded. It isn’t “work” as work often carries some negative connotations. Effort sounds right. There are many opportunities to Practice. I make an effort to Practice with those opportunities. They serve as good reminders to my path and commitment.

Silly little thing…. This morning I had a shower and wanted to be lazy about wiping down the walls. I paused and asked myself why I wanted to be lazy. What was the reason behind it. Yes I ended up wiping down the walls.


Tairin
sat today and lah

[Choujou]

I can honestly say that this gate seems well oiled for me… I enjoy my efforts in practice and with the Sangha, it is not so much “work” for me either. It’s more of just what needs to be done, and it seems an effortless effort to me. Also, when you feel and see the changes that your efforts make to your life, for others… it just feels right. I really, truly enjoy practicing, making the effort, and walking the path of Buddha. (I will do my best to remember this when the alarm goes off at 3:45am for European Zazenkai tomorrow morning… )

Gassho,
Choujou

sat/lah today

[Seikan]

I agree with what others have said. I've never equated practice with "work" in the usual sense. Sure, it can be challenging and downright difficult at times, but it has always felt like the right thing to do even if the "results" have not always been readily apparent.

It really does seem to have a subtle, quiet joy about it that makes it self-sustaining. The more I practice, the more energy and diligence I have to continue practicing.

Gassho,
Seikan
stlah

[Chikyou]

Diligence is not “hard work”. It’s not grueling or back breaking. It’s gentle and steady. One foot in front of the other, again and again. Through diligence, we practice patience. Progress is made bit by bit.

Gassho,
SatLah,
Chikyō