The Forty-ninth of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

49) The Forty-ninth Gate: Equality of all elements.

Equality of all elements is a gate of Dharma illumination; for it obviates all rules for harmonious association.(Nishijima/Cross)

A great sense of equality is a gate of realizing Dharma; it leads to freedom from all things that are composed, (Tanahashi)

Gate Gatha:

May we, together with all buddhas;
Treat all dharmas as empty and equal,
That there be no need for rules for harmonious association.

Reflection Prompts:

1. Does all things being equal really remove the need for rules/boundaries?

2. In what way does it do that?

3. how well does the Capping Verse capture the essense of this Gate?

Capping Verse:

Sitting as we sit
The precepts
Happen on their own

gassho,Shokai
stlah

[Jishin]

1. The idea of equality of all elements means that everything is the same and should be treated equally. This can lead to better relationships and a sense of community because people are not judged based on how they look or their social status. Although this idea may reduce the need for rules, there are still some guidelines and laws that are necessary to keep everyone safe.

2. The idea of equality can reduce the need for rules because it makes people more understanding and kind to one another. When everyone is treated the same, there is less judgment and discrimination, leading to better relationships and a stronger sense of community.

3. The Capping Verse in this teaching summarizes the idea of the Forty-ninth Gate by saying that all things should be treated as equal. The verse also says that it is important to work together with others to make this happen. The Capping Verse gives a simple explanation of the Forty-ninth Gate, which is about promoting equality and good relationships.

New verse:

Equality, a path so bright,
Together with all buddhas, we unite,
No rules, no barriers in sight,
In harmony, we bask in light.

Dharmas, like cherry blossoms fair,
Empty and unchanging, we declare,
With love in our hearts, we repair,
To a world of peace, without a care.

Gassho, Jishin, ST, LAH

[aprapti]

not keeping precepts
not breaking precepts
dharma unfolds



aprapti

sat

[Tairin]

Thank you Shokai

1. Does all things being equal really remove the need for rules/boundaries?
2. In what way does it do that?


By all things being equal and empty, I think we are really referring to the Absolute rather than the Relative. In the Absolute there is no differentiation. No need for rules because there are no boundaries.

By the very act of sitting
We embody the Precepts
We realize the Dharma


Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Tai Do]

Thank you, Shokai!

1. Does all things being equal really remove the need for rules/boundaries?

2. In what way does it do that?

Like Tairin said, I also think it refers to the Absolute, in which all compose lose their boundaries and became one. In bringing this to the Relative we find liberty from the rules within the same rules that bring harmony in our relationships.

3. how well does the Capping Verse capture the essense of this Gate?

By practicing and finding that the Absolute and the Relative are not separated dualistically, we practice the Precepts as the natural action of the Bodhisattva and not as strict external rules.

Gassho,
Tai Do
Satlah

[Shokai]

By the very act of sitting
We embody the Precepts
We realize the Dharma

gassho, Shokai
stlah