The Thirty-second of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

The Thirty-second Gate: to work for the Dharma.

To work for the Dharma is a gate of Dharma illumination; for we act in conformity with the Dharma.(Nishijima/Cross)

Helping Dharma is a gate of realizing Dharma; it lets you practice in accordance with the dharma. (Tanahashi)

Gate Gatha:

May we, together with all buddhas;
Work in harmony with the Dharma
That we may adapt to its wisdom

Reflection Prompts:

1. What is a good example of working for or helping the Dharma?

2. Is it not obvious that working for the Dharma we would act practice in accordance with it? Or is there a step in there that requires mindfulness?

3. Write a new Dharma Gate Verse.

Capping Verse:

When we give ourselves
To Dharma
Dharma gives to all

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[Anchi]

[aprapti]

when we give to dharma
we give ourselves
dharma is all..




aprapti


sat

[Shokai]

[Tairin]

Thank you Shokai

1. What is a good example of working for or helping the Dharma?

Living in accord with the Precepts

2. Is it not obvious that working for the Dharma we would act practice in accordance with it? Or is there a step in there that requires mindfulness?

I’d say “yes” to the first sentence. I’d also say that living in our world living in accord with the Dharma does require some mindfulness because the modern world we’ve created is driven by the three poisons and sometimes it takes mindful effort to overcome that status quo


Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Shokai]