109 of 108 Gates of Dharma-Illumination

[Shokai]

gate1.jpg
一百八法明門
IPPYAKUHACHI-HOMYOMON
One Hundred and Eight Gates of Dharma-Illumination

[109] The state in which water is sprinkled on the head is a gate of Dharma-illumination; for [with it], following birth in a family, we are at last able to realize anuttara-samyak-sambodhi.

Once again, thank you very much for your contributions to this review of the 108 Gates of Dharma Illumination. These are just the one hundred and eight gates of Dharma-illumination that all
bodhisattvas bound by a single life, when they are going to descend from the fourth (Tusita) Heaven to be born into this world, unfailingly proclaim to the multitudes of Tusita Heaven these one hundred and eight gates of Dharma-illumination, and thereby teach the gods, is the constant rule of the buddhas.

“Bodhisattva Protector of Illumination” was the name of Shakyamuni Buddha when he was in the fourth heaven as a bodhisattva.
When Ri Fuma compiled Tensho-koto-roku, he recorded the name of these one hundred and eight gates of Dharma-illumination. But, the students who have known them clearly are few, and those who do not know them are as common as rice, flax, bamboo, and reeds.

Hope to see you on December 22nd to start the 14th season of reviewing the Gates. Meanwhile, may you enjoy a fulfilling practice.

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

[dorgan]

Thank you, everyone, for your thoughtful and heartfelt posts. I have benefited from your gifts of time and practice. Thank you, Shokai, for presenting ideas and asking questions that serve to stimulate growth. I have learned so much during this journey. It has opened up more avenues for further study and practice than I could have ever anticipated.

gassho, davdi
stlah

[Seikan]

I love having a "bonus" gate every year! What a treat!

Thank you as always Shokai for leading and inspiring us along this 3+ month journey.

I've so enjoyed walking this path of study and reflection with all of you once again. This may have been my favorite year yet, but then again, I think I simply learn and discover more each and every year.

I'll meet you all back at Gate #1 on Dec 22 so that we can all open and walk through it together once again.

Deep bows,
Seikan
stlah

[Ryūdō-Liúdào]

Thank you for guiding us through these gates, Shokai. It’s been a really meaningful way to reflect on practice from so many different angles. It's been a great reminder that practice really is everywhere, in every small action and moment. Nothing special, and at the same time, nothing left out.

Looking forward to continuing the journey with you all!

Gasshō,
流道-Ryūdō-Liúdào
Satlah

[Tairin]

Congratulations and thank you Shokai for another year of leading us through the Gates.

Thank you to everyone who contributed your thoughts on each of the Gates.


Tairin
sat today and lah

[Chikyou]

Thank you Shokai and everyone for your time. I have learned a lot, and a few of these gates really stood out to me and had a direct impact on my practice.

Gassho,
SatLah,
Chikyō

[Jundo]

Congratulations on another return of the endless circle!

Gassho, Jundo
stlah

[Tenryu]

Thank you everyone, and thank you Shokai .
This has been nourishing. I'm grateful to have walked through these gates together with everyone.
I'll keep walking with them.

Gasshō,
Tenryū
satt&lah

[Choujou]

Thank you Shokai for leading us on such a wonderful journey again! This was my second time through, and I’m beginning to realize that each time, you see things differently. I also really like the format this year! I felt that we really dug into ourselves on this go around, and I felt like I got a little deeper in my understanding of each gate, and of the Dharma.
Thank you everyone!!! It was wonderful to walk through the gates with you all. I really enjoyed reading all the different perspectives and insights on each gate from everyone! I think we dug more than a few scoops this year!

well done everyone! Thank you!

Gassho,
Choujou
sat/lah today