103 of 108 Gates of Dharma-Illumination

[Shokai]

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

[103] Accomplishment of the state of dharanı, is a gate of Dharma-illumination; for [with it] we hear the Dharma of all the buddhas and are able to receive and retain it.

The accomplishment of the state of dharani refers to the attainment of a high level of spiritual power, characterized by the ability to retain, understand, and embody the teachings (dharma) without forgetting them. As a "state," it represents a deep, meditative concentration that empowers bodhisattvas to retain all taught doctrines and skillful means, effectively becoming a "vessel" of the Dharma. When a practitioner attains this state, their wisdom is no longer disturbed by worldly phenomena or the vicissitudes of life, meaning they can navigate the five aggregates without losing their connection to Nirvana.

Once again, few attain this gate but it doesn't hurt to try. Care to comment??

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

[Seikan]

While we practice without attachment to goals, it is still good to keep in mind that there is always more work to be done. We may reach new plateaus in our practice where the vista opens up a bit wider than before. But . . . there is always more to see just over the horizon . . .

Gassho,
Seikan
stlah

[dorgan]

This is a Gate, like all the Gates, that invites us to a garden of non-duality, non-striving, non-self, non-suffering. The teaching does not need to be memorized, though many have done this over the centuries. They manifest through a life of perception and commitment, to a greater or lesser degree, as we develop in our practice, sit zazen, and live mindfully. To live a life of compassion and service is a life well-lived.

gassho, david
stlah

[Tenryu]

A good work in progress. A line heard, a gesture seen, and later it shows up again, just when it’s needed. Then it’s gone. Nothing stored, nothing secured. It’s a bit like a Zen garden. The patterns come and go, and I’m not the one arranging them. More like the sand being shaped.

Gasshō,
Tenryū
sat & LaH

[Tairin]

Thank you Shokai

I am thinking of this, and similar Gates, kind of like the Boddhisatrrva vows, goals that are at least literally unattainable. They are like North Stars that guide us forward even though we will never actually get to the North Star.


Tairin
sat today and lah

[Choujou]

Perhaps Emi Jido may come close with her level of knowledge, but other than that this is a gate that one strives for without necessarily expecting to attain it completely. Not impossible of course, but rare indeed I would think. Like most have said on here, we are all works in progress and doing our best to embody the bodhisattva path.

Gassho,
Choujou

sat/lah today

[Ryūdō-Liúdào]

This one feels a bit above my pay grade!

I also see this gate as more of a guidepost, or as Tairin said, like the North Star. Sometimes we see it, sometimes not, but as long as we keep walking towards it, we are going the "right way." As long as I keep trying, I'll slowly be shaped by what I keep returning to, and that's about the best I can do.

Gasshō,
流道-Ryūdō-Liúdào
Satlah

[Chikyou]

The state of Addison is something I catch glimmers of. I won’t say I’ve “accomplished” it (or that I ever will!). More that I have moments of clarity and understanding. I think when we practice in the world, this is how it is. I bless we adopt the life of a monk (and maybe even then!) we must stay grounded in this world.

Gassho,
SatLah,
Chikyō