The Thirty-fifth of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

35) The Thirty-fifth Gate: the non-arising of ill-will.

The nonarising of ill-will is a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with it] we protect ourselves and protect others.(Nishijima/Cross)

Not arousing unwholesome intention is a gate of realizing Dharma; it protects the self and others. (Tanahashi)

Gate Gatha:

May we, together with all buddhas;
Be mindful of the arising of ill-will
That we may be loving, grateful and kind

Reflection Prompts:

1. What technique would you use to avoid non-arising of ill will?

2. Would that automatically protect yourself and others?

3. time for a new capping verse?

Capping Verse:

Fires of hatred
Find no fuel
In minds filled with love

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[Tairin]

Thank you Shokai

1. What technique would you use to avoid non-arising of ill will?

To avoid ill will I try to step back and see the world from the other person’s perspective. Maybe they cut me off while driving…. I don’t know the circumstances. Maybe they have some sort of emergency. Maybe they legitimately didn’t see me. I think a lot of ill will comes from seeing the world from only our perspective.

2. Would that automatically protect yourself and others?

I’d like to say yes but I feel there is something else. Maybe patience. Maybe just those few moments to get over the initial anger and cool down.


Tairin
Sat today and lah

[aprapti]

three poisons
greed, anger and delusion.
prajna puts out fire


aprapti


sat

[Tai Do]

Thank you, Shokai, for bringing us the Thirty-Fifth Gate!

1. What technique would you use to avoid non-arising of ill will?

The main technique I use is to avoid situations that I know will bring me anger and ill will. When the avoidance is not possible, I am now using the 15 seconds technique we discussed on the Nineth Fundamental Precept study during preparation for Jukai: waiting 15 seconds before any reaction... it is a great technique and usually works. Other technique is the one Tairin mentioned: being aware of our mind's narratives and trying to see the situation from other person's perspectives.

2. Would that automatically protect yourself and others?

Unfortunately no... sometimes the ego/self is too strong and the monkey mind kicks out starting a very angry narrative in our minds. Only with practicing patience, like Tairin said, this can be overturn (with time).

3. time for a new capping verse?

Abandoning narratives of the self
Seeing the world with other's eyes
Anger dissolved in love


Gassho,
Tai Do (Mateus)
Satlah

[Shokai]

[Shokai]