101 of 108 Gates of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

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

[101] Entry into the state of unrestricted speech is a gate of Dharma-illumination; for [with it] we attain realization of the Dharma-eye.

"Entry into the state of unrestricted speech" is a concept referring to a high level of spiritual realization where speech is no longer bound by self-centeredness, false views, or the need for deception. It reflects a state of total freedom, eloquence, and profound understanding of emptiness and interdependence. This state originates from "unobstructed wisdom" (prajna), seeing clearly the impermanence of all things and the emptiness of the five skandhas. It is inherently compassionate and skillful, aimed at benefiting others and alleviating suffering.
This state represents a transformation where the practitioner, through sustained practice and wisdom, moves from restrained, careful speech to a spontaneous, natural expression of truth (the Dharma) that promotes harmony and enlightenment. This state represents a transformation where the practitioner, through sustained practice and wisdom, moves from restrained, careful speech to a spontaneous, natural expression of truth (the Dharma) that promotes harmony and enlightenment.

There is a saying in Buddhism; "Kill the Buddha." If someone were to tell me they had successfully attained this Gate, I would get as far away from them as possible! How do you feel about your chances of completing this gate??

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

[Ryūdō-Liúdào]

A man can dream, no?

I’m guessing I may never complete this one, but if it ever does come together, I imagine it would be one of those things that just switches over like a light.

Until then, try, try, and try again!

Gasshō,
流道-Ryūdō-Liúdào
Satlah

[Tenryu]

If I ever claimed to have completed this gate, that would probably be the clearest sign that I haven’t.
In everyday life it seems to show up in a much simpler way. Speaking when something needs to be said, and quite often not speaking at all. Maybe that’s the closest I get to “unrestricted speech”—being a little less compelled to fill the space.

Gasshō,
Tenryū
sat•lah

[Tairin]

Thank you Shokai.

I agree that this Gate seems unreachable. I would be seriously skeptical of anyone who claims to reach this state.


Tairin
dat today and lah

[Choujou]

I agree, short of an actual Buddha, I don’t think anyone else attains this gate completely. But like Ryūdō-Liúdào says, we try to do our best and keep on trying!

Gassho,
Choujou

sat/lah today

[Seikan]

Agree that short of full Buddhahood, there is no "completion" of this Gate. That said, I believe that just like other manifestations of "attainment", we might experience glimpses of this from time to time as we practice. I can't say that I have experienced anything like this myself, but I suspect that in many/most cases, such a natural expression of the Dharma would occur simply and without words.

But I can only speculate . . .

Gassho,
Seikan
stlah

[Jundo]

Not to jump into Rev. Shokai's neck of the woods, but I would like to offer something ...

"Entry into the state of unrestricted speech" is a concept referring to a high level of spiritual realization where speech is no longer bound by self-centeredness, false views, or the need for deception. It reflects a state of total freedom, eloquence, and profound understanding of emptiness and interdependence. This state originates from "unobstructed wisdom" (prajna), seeing clearly the impermanence of all things and the emptiness of the five skandhas. It is inherently compassionate and skillful, aimed at benefiting others and alleviating suffering.

Sometimes we can speak and hear this "unrestricted speech" even in as this "restricted" world of words. Sometimes it shines through, and can be heard, even as ordinary speech ... something like how all space and time is in every grain of dust, the moon is in every dew drop, the light shines through even the dark clouds.

So, do not think of this as something only for some distant, idealized Buddha. I do not believe in distant, idealized Buddhas. They do not exist. Rather, the immediate, ideal, flawless Buddha is heard loud and clear even in this noisy and flawed world. One just needs a well-attuned ear to hear. Dogen said that, in a well-said human word, or even in the sounds of the valley, all the preaching of the Buddha is heard.

Okay, I return things to Shokai.

Gassho, J
stlah

[dorgan]

Gates open unto gates, and through each one we emerge into another gate, and all gates, passageways, are the possibilities that draw us toward the gentle life of awareness, loving kindness, and compassion that we find in zazen and a mindful life. Words come and go, as thoughts do in our minds. While subject-object language disguises our interdependence, in the poetry of our lives, we find our way past the duality of language to the woven fabric of codependence. How beautiful this moment, complete, a droplet of experience that yields to the next in the unfolding nexus of the multitude of threads that is life. The light shines always; may we be joyful when we glimpse its radiance in the midst of the business of life. Peace.

gassho, david
stlah

[Chikyou]

This gate begs the question: how would you know if you attained it? How do you know you’ve attained the Dharma and aren’t just spouting nonsense? (I can’t answer this one - maybe it’s something that others can see, but the person speaking does not.)

Gassho,
SatLah,
Chikyō