The Forty-fifth of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

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  • Shokai
    Treeleaf Priest
    • Mar 2009
    • 6393

    The Forty-fifth of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

    45) The Forty-fifth Gate: knowledge of names and forms.

    Knowledge of names and forms is a gate of Dharma illumination; for it clears away many obstacles.(Nishijima/Cross)

    Knowing names and forms is a gate of realizing Dharma; it removes various hindrances. (Tanahashi)

    Gate Gatha:
    May we, together with all buddhas;
    Clarify our understanding of names and forms,
    That we may be assured of a clear path.

    Reflection Prompts:

    1. How does knowing Names and forms clear away the hinderances?

    2. Give an example?

    3. Re-write the Capping Verse.

    Capping Verse:
    A map without forms
    Is merely
    A piece of paper

    gassho, Shokai
    stlah
    合掌,生開
    gassho, Shokai

    仁道 生開 / Jindo Shokai

    "Open to life in a benevolent way"

    https://sarushinzendo.wordpress.com/
  • Jishin
    Member
    • Oct 2012
    • 4821

    #2
    The Forty-fifth of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

    1. Knowing names and forms refers to the understanding of the nature of reality and how it appears to us. In Buddhist philosophy, everything is considered to be impermanent and constantly changing. By recognizing this, we can see through the illusions and distractions that can prevent us from realizing the truth of our existence. This understanding can help remove hindrances such as attachment, ignorance, and craving, and lead to a clearer path towards enlightenment.

    2. For example, if we recognize the impermanence of material possessions, we can reduce our attachment to them and find peace and contentment in life. By understanding the impermanence of our thoughts and emotions, we can be less affected by them and maintain a more balanced and calm state of mind.

    3. Re-written Capping Verse:

    With all buddhas, we unite,
    Our knowledge of names and forms, to clarify,
    To be free of hindrances, and find light

    Gassho, Jishin, ST, LAH

    Comment

    • aprapti
      Member
      • Jun 2017
      • 889

      #3



      aprapti


      sat

      hobo kore dojo / 歩歩是道場 / step, step, there is my place of practice

      Aprāpti (अप्राप्ति) non-attainment

      Comment

      • Anchi
        Member
        • Sep 2015
        • 556

        #4
        Life itself is the only teacher.
        一 Joko Beck


        STLah
        安知 Anchi

        Comment

        • Shokai
          Treeleaf Priest
          • Mar 2009
          • 6393

          #5
          Hey Jishin, What are you going to do with all the extra Motorbikes now?

          gassho, Shokai
          合掌,生開
          gassho, Shokai

          仁道 生開 / Jindo Shokai

          "Open to life in a benevolent way"

          https://sarushinzendo.wordpress.com/

          Comment

          • Jishin
            Member
            • Oct 2012
            • 4821

            #6
            Originally posted by Shokai
            Hey Jishin, What are you going to do with all the extra Motorbikes now?

            gassho, Shokai
            In my journey through life's winding roads,
            I've collected many motorcycles, it shows.
            But as a Buddhist, I seek inner peace,
            And material possessions bring only cease.

            So I'll let go of these machines with pride,
            And find joy in the act of giving aside.
            For in sharing with others, I'll find true wealth,
            And my heart will be filled with joy and good health.

            I'll use the money from their sale with care,
            To help those in need, and show I'm aware.
            Of the suffering in the world, and my part,
            To bring comfort, love and joy to every heart.

            This act of giving, I know will bring,
            A sense of purpose, and happiness within.
            For as a Buddhist, I seek not material gain,
            But peace and contentment, and to ease pain.

            So I'll let go of these motorcycles with grace,
            And find joy in the act of giving and space.
            For in doing so, I'll find my true self,
            And fulfill my Buddhist journey, and help others as well.



            [emoji3]

            Gassho, Jishin, ST, LAH

            Comment

            • Tairin
              Member
              • Feb 2016
              • 2816

              #7
              Thank you Shokai

              1. How does knowing Names and forms clear away the hinderances?


              I could be completely off base here but my immediate thought when reading this Gate is how giving something a name or it has this form or that form immediately transforms that something into a fixed thing. That fixed image is the one i carry around with me and may limit my understanding of that something by colouring it with my perceptions

              2. Give an example?

              Before one studies Zen, mountains are mountains and waters are waters; after a first glimpse into the truth of Zen, mountains are no longer mountains and waters are no longer waters; after enlightenment, mountains are once again mountains and waters once again waters.


              Tairin
              Sat today and lah
              泰林 - Tai Rin - Peaceful Woods

              All of life is our temple

              Comment

              • Veronica
                Member
                • Nov 2022
                • 124

                #8
                Zen names and practices are like the guiding words on the general map of Zen, and allow a deeper understanding and connection. To me this is suggesting that I should literally learn some Zen names (old masters, history...) and forms (practices, rituals). This will overcome some obstacles as it will give me a clear path to follow that has worked for others. I have not really delved into history and rituals yet, and so perhaps this is why I read it this way.
                Veronica
                Stlah

                Comment

                • Shokai
                  Treeleaf Priest
                  • Mar 2009
                  • 6393

                  #9
                  So I'll let go of these motorcycles with grace,
                  And find joy in the act of giving and space.
                  For in doing so, I'll find my true self,
                  And fulfill my Buddhist journey, and help others as well.
                  Beautiful !! You're like a juke box; put in a seed and out cames a verse.

                  gassho, Shokai
                  合掌,生開
                  gassho, Shokai

                  仁道 生開 / Jindo Shokai

                  "Open to life in a benevolent way"

                  https://sarushinzendo.wordpress.com/

                  Comment

                  • Shokai
                    Treeleaf Priest
                    • Mar 2009
                    • 6393

                    #10
                    Veronica;
                    It looks like you're catching the Bodhicitta bug.

                    gassho, Shokai
                    stlah
                    合掌,生開
                    gassho, Shokai

                    仁道 生開 / Jindo Shokai

                    "Open to life in a benevolent way"

                    https://sarushinzendo.wordpress.com/

                    Comment

                    • Tokan
                      Treeleaf Unsui
                      • Oct 2016
                      • 1268

                      #11
                      Hi all

                      1. How does knowing Names and forms clear away the hinderances? - Well I don't think knowing in the conventional English sense clears away the hindrances. To me this would be complimentary of other aspects of practice, recalling that these gates all merge into the one gate that is no gate but remains a gate. So as part of that bigger picture of practice, knowing names and forms would, to me, foster greater clarity regarding the hindrances. I wonder if, in the original language, the term namarupa was used, as this has other implications in this regard.

                      2. Give an example? - Beginners Mind is a great thing to have acquired a 'name and form' in my opinion. Understanding that Beginners Mind is just that, enables some of its aspects to be seen as potential obstacles or hindrances, such as pride in one's practice or Zen 'demeanour.'

                      3. Re-write the Capping Verse.

                      A dharma gate
                      has name and form;
                      wipe your shoes and enter!



                      Gassho, Tokan

                      satlah
                      平道 島看 Heidou Tokan (Balanced Way Island Nurse)
                      I enjoy learning from everyone, I simply hope to be a friend along the way

                      Comment

                      • Tai Do
                        Member
                        • Jan 2019
                        • 1451

                        #12
                        Thank you, Shokai!

                        1. How does knowing Names and forms clear away the hinderances?
                        By showing us that our mind creates division of reality by naming forms and leading us being both name and form.

                        2. Give an example?
                        By naming someone a mother, I live out all the other things she also is and all the connections with all other things that are not her kids.

                        3. Re-write the Capping Verse.
                        Name and Form
                        Two edges of the same blade
                        Manjushiri’s sword

                        Gassho,
                        Tai Do
                        Satlah
                        怠努 (Tai Do) - Lazy Effort
                        (also known as Mateus )

                        禅戒一如 (Zen Kai Ichi Nyo) - Zazen and the Precepts are One!

                        Comment

                        • Shokai
                          Treeleaf Priest
                          • Mar 2009
                          • 6393

                          #13
                          合掌,生開
                          gassho, Shokai

                          仁道 生開 / Jindo Shokai

                          "Open to life in a benevolent way"

                          https://sarushinzendo.wordpress.com/

                          Comment

                          • Shokai
                            Treeleaf Priest
                            • Mar 2009
                            • 6393

                            #14
                            these gates all merge into the one gate that is no gate but remains a gate.
                            Remember to close the gate as you wipe/remove your shoes
                            合掌,生開
                            gassho, Shokai

                            仁道 生開 / Jindo Shokai

                            "Open to life in a benevolent way"

                            https://sarushinzendo.wordpress.com/

                            Comment

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