106 of 108 Gates of Dharma-Illumination

[Shokai]

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

[106] Attainment of realization of the Dharma of non-appearance is a gate of Dharma-illumination; for [with it] we attain affirmation.
Realization is reached by purifying the mind of defilements through dedicated practice. It is not separate from life. It is the ability to live in accord with the Dharma (the true nature of reality) in daily actions. Mahayana Buddhism interprets this as realizing the "Dharmakaya of realization" and "Dharmakaya of doctrine," representing the ultimate nature of a Buddha.

What, if any, is your greatest problem with realizng the Dharma?

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

[Ryūdō-Liúdào]

My biggest “problem” is how quickly the mind forgets or reshapes moments of realization. When everything lines up in one of those “a-ha” moments, it’s clear… but only for that moment. Not long after, clinging and chasing tend to show up. And even if they don’t, the memory itself fades or becomes distorted.

I suppose that’s a pretty good reminder not to cling to or chase anything temporary anyway, eh?

Gasshō,
流道-Ryūdō-Liúdào
Satlah

[Jundo]

Oh ... getting close ...

[Tenryu]

Not sure how the “purifying” part is coming along, but there’s a steady pull to practice. On the cushion, off the cushion, the Zazenkai, even early mornings when getting up doesn’t feel inviting. Sitting through entire retreats while the legs complain, and still doing the next sitting. Not to prove anything, just to be there.

At the same time, things in my mind tend to solidify quickly. A thought, a feeling, a situation, and it takes on a fixed shape almost right away. In those moments it’s easy to forget how fluid it actually is. Sometimes that loosens, a small shift, and things open a little again.

Gasshō,
Tenryū
sat&LaH

[Tairin]

Thank you Shokai.

My greatest problem with realizing the Dharma? Two I suppose. One is the vastness of the Dharma. It is literally wherever we look if we are willing to see. Two, similar to Ryūdō-Liúdào above, how quickly I forget or lose it. I suppose it has a lot to do with just getting busy with the day and thus distracted from the realization.


Tairin
sat today and lah

[Choujou]

My biggest obstacle in realizing the dharma is letting go. Like some have already said, life is fluid and always in motion, ever changing. Even though I know this, I still tend to cling and grasp to thoughts, feelings, memories, fantasies, or beliefs sometimes about this or that… at the same time I do know and realize that one must let go, open the hands of thought and emotion… sometimes I am clinging to even the sense of a “self” that needs to let go…Hmmm… I must accept it and just let it all go.

Gassho,
Choujou

sat/lah today

[Seikan]

The biggest challenge for me is persistence of practice. As every moment is different/unique, the realization of the Dharma in each moment requires renewed awareness, over and over again. This requires energy, conviction and dedication—all of which need to be cultivated continuously, or else old "self"-ish habits quickly reappear and get in the way.

To be honest, I generally feel that I'm just standing in my own way most of the time. I am my own biggest obstacle/problem!

Gassho,
Seikan
stlah

[dorgan]

Consistency. Setting up and sticking to routines for what matters most.

Gassho, david
stlah

[Chikyou]

This gate will always be a work in progress - a continual process of refinement. I will never find myself saying I’ve done it, that my words, thoughts and actions in the world are perfect. It’s a continual practice of mis-step, atonement and improvement.

Gassho,
SatLah
Chikyō