The Fifty-fourth of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

54) The Fifty-fourth Gate: Mind as an Abode of Mindfulness

Mind* as an abode of mindfulness is a gate of Dharma illumination;for [with it] we reflect that mind is like a phantom. (Nishijima/Cross)

The ground of mindfulness of the mind is a gate of realizing dharma; it sees the mind as not different from a phantom. (Tanahashi)

*[Mind: the totality of conscious and unconscious mental processes and activities]

Gate Gatha:

May we, together with all buddhas;
Relinquish our mind to the home of mindfulness,
That we may reflect on impermanence and inter-connected-ness.

Reflection Prompts:

1. What do you think of when you hear "mind is like a Phantom?"

2. Compare the two translations of "Mind as an abode of mindfulness " and "The ground of mindfulness of the mind ."

3. Write a new Capping Verse

Capping Verse:

Mind is the river
We swim in
But cannot possess

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[Jishin]

1. When I hear "mind is like a phantom," I think of the idea that the mind is fleeting and constantly changing, much like a phantom that appears and disappears. The idea is that our thoughts and emotions are not permanent or solid, and that they can be difficult to grasp or hold onto.

2. The two translations are similar in meaning, but "Mind as an abode of mindfulness" suggests that mindfulness is a place where the mind can reside, whereas "The ground of mindfulness of the mind" suggests that mindfulness is the foundation or base upon which the mind operates. Both translations convey the idea that mindfulness is a way to understand and observe the mind, and to see it as impermanent and ever-changing.

3. New Capping Verse:

Mind like a butterfly,
Fluttering from thought to thought,
Through mindfulness, we find
The stillness that it sought

Gassho, Jishin, ST, LAH

[Tairin]

Thank you Shokai

1. What do you think of when you hear "mind is like a Phantom?"

Firstly I like this phrase. When I read “mind is like a Phantom” it conjures up an image of a translucent, cloud like blob with no well defined boundary.

2. Compare the two translations of "Mind as an abode of mindfulness " and "The ground of mindfulness of the mind ."

Although at first read they seem fairly different but if I consider the images that “abode” and “ground” bring to mind they aren’t too different. “Abode” being a home and “ground” being something to be rooted too. Either way it is something to return to.

Mind
Like a puff of smoke in the breeze
Is gone


Tairin
Sat today and lah

[aprapti]

1. What do you think of when you hear "mind is like a Phantom?"

i think: where is my dictionary?


aprapti


sat

[Shokai]

mindfulness is a way to understand and observe the mind, and to see it as impermanent and ever-changing.

[Veronica]

Paying attention to the "mind" allows us to realize we cannot possibly become aware of everything happening in the mind. Too complex, not all conscious, always changing, not always correct. Both translations seem similar. If we take time to be mindful of our own complex mind, we can let go of being so attached to everything it wants/thinks/feels/forgets/remembers...

Watching the anthill,
We can never see them all.
Such is the mind.

Veronica stlah

[Tokan]

Hey all

1. What do you think of when you hear "mind is like a Phantom?" - Simply that mind, like a phantom, cannot be grasped.

2. Compare the two translations of "Mind as an abode of mindfulness" and "The ground of mindfulness of the mind ." - Abode and ground infer the same thing to me. You cannot have mindfulness with a mind to be mindful of. We cannot let go of mind until we dwell in mindfulness of the mind, but letting go of the mind does not mean stopping thinking!

3. Write a new Capping Verse

When I breathe
on cold glass,
what is it that mists?


Gassho, Tokan

SatLah

[Tairin]

Hey all

1. What do you think of when you hear "mind is like a Phantom?" - Simply that mind, like a phantom, cannot be grasped.

I like that.


Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Tai Do]

Thank you, Shokai!

1. What do you think of when you hear "mind is like a Phantom?"

Like Tokan said, it seems mind is something without substance, without a fixed and permanent center; without a self.

2. Compare the two translations of "Mind as an abode of mindfulness " and "The ground of mindfulness of the mind ."

Like others pointed out, both translations give the idea of a home or base to which we constantly return.

3. Write a new Capping Verse

Reflection on the water
If you grasp it
It disappears


Gassho,
Tai Do
Satlah

[Shokai]