104 of 108 Gates of Dharma-Illumination

[Shokai]

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

[104] Attainment of the state of unrestricted speech is a gate of Dharma-illumination; for [with it] we cause all living beings totally to rejoice.

The attainment of the state of unrestricted speech, often referred to as the "ocean of eloquence," is a result of advanced spiritual realization, typically associated with Buddhas and high-level Bodhisattvas. It represents a state where speech is no longer restricted by self-clinging, ignorance, or emotional agitation, but is instead perfectly adapted to the needs of sentient beings to bring about liberation. The process involves abandoning four types of unskilful speech lying, divisive, harsh speech, or idle chatter;
Replacing them with truthfulness, harmonious speech, gentle words, and meaningful communication.

Although not attaining this gate, how do you use these types of speech in your practice??

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

[Tairin]

Thank you Shokai

Although I am far from perfect I think that in general truthfulness, harmonious speech, gentle words, and meaningful communication describe my use of words in writing and in speech.

I do know that I try to carefully consider the effects of my words although I can’t know every outcome.


Tairin
sat today and lah

[Seikan]

I think Tairin said it pretty well above. But I'll add a few additional thoughts...

This gate clearly echoes gate 101, but with a focus on how achieving "unrestricted speech" leads other beings to rejoice. For if we can speak from a state free of ego and delusion, even if for just a few seconds here and there, the Dharma might be expressed through our words and therefore benefit all beings. It is as if we simply become vessels for the Dharma to express itself, moment to moment.

Of course, as we've been discussing lately, achieving such a natural, organic state of perfect speech, especially on a consistent basis, may be reserved only for full Buddhas. But whatever our individual shortcomings might be, we can still consciously practice "right speech" in order to best manifest the Dharma in each conversation with others. For me, this is an important means of practicing/embodying the Dharma in the other 23 or so hours of the day when I am not sitting zazen—for our speech is always perfect in zazen, right?

Gassho,
Seikan
sltah

[Ryūdō-Liúdào]

This is one of the things I’ve been working on recently. While I’m far, far from any level of attainment, I’m learning to be more mindful of my wording and, even more importantly, whether it’s worth saying anything at all.

Most of the time, it’s just catching myself, like when I’m about to say something unnecessary, a bit too sharp, or just filling space out of habit. Sometimes I catch it in time, oftentimes I don’t.

When I do manage to slow down, speech tends to come out simpler and a little more kind. Nothing special, just a bit less clutter and a bit more care.

Still very much a work in progress!

Gasshō,
流道-Ryūdō-Liúdào
Satlah

[Tenryu]

As Seikan pointed out, this gate feels close to Gate 101. It shows up in a similar place. A few words when they fit, and often none. There’s a quiet sense for what might help and what would only add weight, though not always clear.

Listening well and responding truthful but with compassion makes for good communication.

And at times it even brings to mind Depeche Mode—
Words are very unnecessary
They can only do harm

Not as a rule, just a gentle reminder that silence can already say enough. Again a work in progress.

Gasshō,
Tenryū
sat&LaH

[Choujou]

I think I’m echoing everyone here in saying this, so I’ll try to keep it brief, but today during the precept recommitment ceremony, Bion pointed out that when we commit ourselves to the precepts and to the eightfold path of the bodhisattva, that we don’t do so expecting to be perfect, but that we are going to fail. And yet, we commit ourselves to the path and try as hard as we can to stay true to the precepts, and to not stray from it. But alas, we are still human, and stray we do. It is a cycle of practice, but with each cycle, we hope to improve our awareness. We hope to be more present. We hope to improve our behaviors, our actions and consequences that result. We hope to improve our speech; to speak kinder, gentler… to refrain from divisive speech, to refrain from untruth… we hope to get closer to embodying the Bodhisattva with each cycle and every try.

Gassho,
Choujou

sat/lah today

[dorgan]

Truthfulness, harmonious speech, gentle words, and meaningful communication are what I aim for each time I speak and also in the thoughts I have. Maybe one day I will not need to aim for these modes of speech and thought; they will be simple expressions of who I am.

gassho, david
stlah

[Chikyou]

This is another gate that I feel we catch glimpses of. While we can’t, in this body and life, attain it fully, we get occasional moments where we realize it.

Gassho,
SatLah,
Chikyō