The Seventh of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

7) The Seventh Gate: Pure Conduct/Practice (of the Actions) of the Mind

Pure conduct of the actions of the mind is a gate of Dharma illumination; for it eliminates the three poisons*. (Nishijima/Cross)

Pure practice of the mind is a gate of realizing dharma; it keeps the mind from the three types of poison*. (Tanahashi)

*greed, anger, and ignorance

Gate Gatha:

May we, together with all buddhas
Perfect our skill of controlling our practice/actions of the mind;
That the three poisons may be removed.

Reflection Prompts:

Where have you heard before of the three poisons?

How do you suppose the mind eliminates the three poisons?

What, if any, is the difference between illuminating or realizing the Dharma?

Capping Verse:

Mind pure as silver
Becomes stained
When left unpolished

[Nengyoku]

[Tai Do]

Thank you, Shokai, for bringing us the Seventh Gate.

Where have you heard before of the three poisons?

Since the beginning of my studies of Buddhism, some fourteen years ago, I have heard of the three poisons and their role in the origin of dukkha.

How do you suppose the mind eliminates the three poisons?

I think by eliminating dualistic thinking and goal oriented zazen, the mind eliminates the three poisons. While acknowledging greed, anger, and ignorance in our mind, by not becoming attached to the thoughts and goals set up by the poisons, the mind eliminates their grasp in our lives and the bad karma of dukkha they bring.

What, if any, is the difference between illuminating or realizing the Dharma?

I think illuminating and realizing are two ways of speaking of the same unspeakable experience of Reality.

Gassho,
Mateus
Satlah

[Tairin]

Thank you Shokai

How do you suppose the mind eliminates the three poisons?

The mind is the source for the three poisons. My greed, anger, and ignorance all spring from my mind and thoughts. Sometimes I am aware of them. Other times less so. Definitely my practice of sitting Zazen helps me both witness their arising as well as giving me a chance to set them aside. I hope that through practice I can be more mindful of the triggers.


Tairin
Sat today and lah

[aprapti]

aprapti


sat

[Nengyoku]

[B]7)What, if any, is the difference between illuminating or realizing the Dharma?

To realize the Dharma is to understand it in a non-conceptual manner. To illuminate it is to bring it forth to this world in our actions.
But to really embody our buddha nature is to bring both of these things forward simultaneously.


Gassho,
Nengyoku
SatLah

[Guest]

What, if any, is the difference between illuminating or realizing the Dharma?

Realizing the Dharma is to practice so that Dharma can manifest itself in the world, thus it is illuminated in the world. When the three poisons are active in our actions, it moves us away from realizing the Dharma not in the sense of realizing something but in the sense of making it real.

Gassho,

Bill (Daiman)

Sat Today