The Fourteenth of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

14) The Fourteenth Gate: Benevolence

Benevolence is a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with it] good roots prevail in all the situations of life.(Nishijima/Cross)

Compassionate is a gate of realizing Dharma; it encompasses wholesome roots in all realms of birth. (Tanahashi)

Gate Gatha:

May we, together with all beings;
Actualize openness and generosity
That these good roots may embrace all conditions of life.

Reflection Prompts:

1. How does the difference between benevolence and compassionate affect the intent of this gate?

2. What is meant by good or wholesome roots?

3. Can you describe the difference between 'situations of life' and 'realms of birth'

Capping Verse:

Practicing kindness
Not so hard
Except when “I” try

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[aprapti]

aprapti


sat

[Tai Do]

Thank you, Shokai, for the Fourteenth Gate.

1. How does the difference between benevolence and compassionate affect the intent of this gate?

Benevolence for me is to live and interact with others with loving-kindness (intention to do good and avoid harm), compassion (intention to free sentient beings from suffering), empathetic joy (intention to be joyful with others good deeds and situations) and equanimity (intention not to judge or discriminate); while compassionate seems to be more limited, just a part of the general benevolent mindset.

2. What is meant by good or wholesome roots?

I think these are the roots of our thoughts, words, and actions. When they are good or wholesome they don't bring about separations, duality and harmful intentions.

3. Can you describe the difference between 'situations of life' and 'realms of birth'

I think realms of birth refers to the six realms - hell, hungry ghosts, animals, humans, ashuras, and gods -, which can be interpreted as states of mind. Situations of life seems to be more broad, encompassing not only states of mind, but all dharmas, all phenomena that can happen in the lives of sentient beings.

Gassho,
Mateus
Satlah

[Guest]

1. How does the difference between benevolence and compassionate affect the intent of this gate?

2. What is meant by good or wholesome roots?

3. Can you describe the difference between 'situations of life' and 'realms of birth'

1. If we can fully embody benevolence; meaning to do only good for others and not to harm others, the Dharma functions in the world unobstructed. This comes from a place of compassion. Compassion means to 'suffer with' In this way we enter the realization that we share in the same reality as everyone else, yet each other's experience may be different. When we help others, we help ourselves.

2. Good and wholesome roots have to do with the intention of our thoughts, words, and deeds. Why do I do what I do? Is it just for myself or for the benefit of all beings? If it is for all beings, then we are in alignments with the Dharma and the root is wholesome. Otherwise, our motivation for doing what we do is easily guided by greed, hatred, and ignorance.

3. Situations of life are just as they are. Even if we change the uneven axle (Dukkha) to the even axle (sukha) and are having a more smooth ride in life, the road is still the same. How we interact with and react to these situations can bring about the birth of greed, anger, hatred, ignorance or love, kindness, and compassion.

Right now, I am typing on the computer (situation of life), but if I hate what I am doing or wish I was doing something different or hurrying to get to the next situation, then the many realms of birth have appeared.

Gassho,

Bill (Daiman)

Stlah

[Shokai]