The fifty-ninth of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

59) The Fifty-ninth Gate: The Faculty of Effort

The faculty of effort* is a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with it] we thoroughly attain many kinds of wisdom (Nishijima/Cross)

The root of effort is a gate of realizing dharma; it attains various types of wisdom. (Tanahashi)

* Effort: exertion of physical or mental power]
Gate Gatha:

May we, together with all buddhas;
Apply effort in our practice
That we may attain many kinds of wisdom.

Reflection Prompts:

1. What would you say is the diffference between the Root or the Faculty of Effort is?

2. In what way does this lead to the attainment of Wisdom?

3. Write new Capping Verse.

Capping Verse:

Sitting in Zazen—
Effortless
But not less effort

gassho,Shokai
stlah

[Jishin]

1. The Root of Effort and the Faculty of Effort both refer to the practice of exerting physical or mental power in order to cultivate wisdom. However, the Root of Effort seems to emphasize the deep motivation that inspires us to make this effort, while the Faculty of Effort highlights the ability to apply this effort in a skillful and effective way. In other words, the Root of Effort might be seen as the underlying drive or intention that propels us to practice, while the Faculty of Effort is the skill or tool that allows us to put that intention into action.

2. Making a consistent effort to practice meditation, study Dharma, and engage in wholesome actions helps to cultivate wisdom by gradually breaking down the habits and tendencies that keep us trapped in suffering. With effort, we learn to recognize and overcome our own delusions, attachments, and aversions, and we develop greater clarity, equanimity, and insight. We may also gain a deeper understanding of the nature of reality, the workings of the mind, and the interconnectedness of all beings. Through the gate of the Faculty of Effort, we learn to apply our energy and focus in a way that allows us to truly penetrate the teachings and see them for ourselves.

3. New capping verse:

Root of effort grows,
Blossoms into wisdom's gate,
With practice, we see

Gassho, Jishin, ST, LAH

[aprapti]

"good for nothing"
but still we sit. and sit.. and sit..



aprapti


sat

[Tairin]

Thank you Shokai

1. What would you say is the difference between the Root or the Faculty of Effort is?

Root of effort is the motivation or whatever drives the need. Faculty of effort is more the application of effort towards action.

2. In what way does this lead to the attainment of Wisdom?

I think it would be an exceptional person who can attain Wisdom without effort. Most of us will require some effort to see beyond the accumulated Self that we build up through our lives.


With effort
Just only sit
Effortlessly


Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Shokai]

[Tai Do]

Thank you, Shokai!

1. As Jishin and Tairin said, root of effort refers to the deep motivation, while faculty of effort refers to the skill of application of the effort.

2. It’s only with effort that we can sit on the cushion, act on the precepts and vows, and work for the benefit of sentient beings. Even so, our Zen way is to not be attached to the results of our effort.

3.
Motivated or not
Effortless or not
Just sit


Gassho,
Tai Do
Satlah

[Shokai]