The Thirty-seventh of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

37) The Thirty-seventh Gate: belief and understanding .

Belief and understanding are a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with them] we decisively comprehend the paramount [truth.](Nishijima/Cross)

Understanding with trust is a gate of realizing Dharma; it clarifies the matter of primary significance. (Tanahashi)

Gate Gatha:

May we, together with all buddhas;
Clarify our beliefs and understandings.
That we may experience reality 'as it is.'

Reflection Prompts:

1. How are 'Belief and understanding ' and ' Understanding with trust ' similar?

2. How do either of these cause us to truly understand the primary truth?

3. W rite a new Capping Verse.

Capping Verse:

Trust in the teachings
Maintain belief
But keep on sitting

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[aprapti]

big doubt, big trust
and we keep sitting..


aprapti


sat

[Tokan]

Hey all

1. How are 'Belief and understanding ' and ' Understanding with trust ' similar?
Belief and trust have a similar implication in that it implies no absolute knowledge that the thing believed or trusted is true, though it may be suspected. Understanding implies, to me, some level of active contemplation of reality, being blended with belief and trust, leading to understanding. But understanding is not a static or permanent state. I feel any answer of mine to this question falls incredibly short of expressing its truth.

2. How do either of these cause us to truly understand the primary truth?
They are the stones and dirt beneath our feet on the path.

3. Write a new Capping Verse.

Belief and trust
help us to go beyond
belief and trust


Gassho, Tokan

SatLah

[Tai Do]

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

1. How are 'Belief and understanding ' and ' Understanding with trust ' similar?

2. How do either of these cause us to truly understand the primary truth?

Belief and trust seem similar here, although I don't think belief necessarily needs to have trust (we can believe in something without investing much trust in it, just a provisional belief, so to speak). Here, I think that the belief and trust is in the Dharma (the primary truth); and we gain trust in the Dharma as we understand it not only intellectually, but with our practice and life.

3. Write a new Capping Verse.

Living the Dharma
Believing and trusting the Way
Wisdom and Compassion realized


Gassho,
Tai Do (Mateus)
Satlah

[Tairin]

Thank you Shokai


1. How are 'Belief and understanding ' and ' Understanding with trust ' similar?

2. How do either of these cause us to truly understand the primary truth?



Well firstly I don’t think that “understanding “ here means a sort of intellectual understanding. I think we are talking about more of an experiential understanding. In this case our experiential understanding is supported by and also supports our belief and trust.

Without some level of belief and trust I don’t think any of us would be here at TreeLeaf talking about practice nor would we all dedicate some portion of our days sitting quietly in a cushion starring at a wall.


Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Shokai]