The Thirty-eighth of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

38) The Thirty-eighth Gate: reflection on impurity.

Reflection on impurity is a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with it] we abandon the mind that is tainted by desire.(Nishijima/Cross)

Visualizing impurity is a gate of realizing Dharma; it abandons the desire for defilement. (Tanahashi)

Gate Gatha:

May we, together with all buddhas;
Practice avoidance of impurities,
That our minds may be free from desires.

Reflection Prompts:

1. Although Reflection on impurity and Visualizing impurity are similar, does the slight difference make an change in the import of this Gate?

2. How does this reflection or Visualization cause one to abandon desire?

3. Write a new Capping Verse.

Capping Verse:

Mud contains much dirt
And water
Clear as the blue sky

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[aprapti]

aprapti


sat

[Jishin]

A new capping verse:


With each step, I strive to be pure

Forgoing desire, impurities to cure

With wisdom and compassion, my goal

To rid myself of ego, and to be whole

Gassho, Jishin, ST, LAH

[Tai Do]

Thank you, Shokai, for the Thirty-Eight Gate!

1. Although Reflection on impurity and Visualizing impurity are similar, does the slight difference make an change in the import of this Gate?

Reflection seems to be more intellectual, while visualizing is more about bringing images to the mind. In practice, though, both visualizing and reflecting can have the same result of bringing awareness to the impurities.


2. How does this reflection or Visualization cause one to abandon desire?

Reflecting/visualizing on impurities can make us let go of our desires because we can see with more clarity the unwholesome results that divided thinking can cause.


3. Write a new Capping Verse.

Aware of impurities
The mind abandons desires
And duality is gone


Gassho,
Tai Do (Mateus)
Satlah

[Tairin]

Thank you Shokai

1. Although Reflection on impurity and Visualizing impurity are similar, does the slight difference make an change in the import of this Gate?

Short answer is no

2. How does this reflection or Visualization cause one to abandon desire?

My guess is that most people are like me in that what we individually consider to be an “impurity “ is a habitual thought or action that has developed over a life time. Likely these “impurities “ manifest almost automatically. Through reflection and visualization we can break the cycle and hopefully act is a more wholesome way


Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Shokai]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts

gassho,Shokai
stlah