The Sixty-second of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

62) The Sixty-second Gate: The Faculty of Wisdom

The faculty of wisdom* is a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with it] we really see all dharmas. (Nishijima/Cross)

The root of wisdom is a gate of realizing dharma; it sees all things as they are. (Tanahashi)

*[Wisdom: mental steadiness or emotional stability; habit of calm behavior, judgment]

Gate Gatha:

May we, together with all buddhas;
Develop wisdom in our practice.
That we may really see all dharmas 'as they are.'

Reflection Prompts:

1. How do the faculty or Root of Wisdom lead us to see all things as they are?

2. Write a new Gate Gatha.

3. Comment on the Capping Verse?

Capping Verse:

With eyes free of dust
All things true
Come into focus

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[Jishin]

1. The faculty or root of wisdom enables us to see things as they really are because it helps us cultivate mental steadiness and emotional stability. When our minds are calm and clear, we can approach situations without biases or preconceptions, allowing us to see things as they truly are without distortions. Wisdom also allows us to make sound judgments and decisions based on a deep understanding of the interconnectedness and impermanence of all things. With wisdom, we can discern the truth from falsehood, distinguish right from wrong, and act accordingly.

2. Gate Gatha:

May we, with the wisdom faculty strong,
See through illusions and all that's wrong,
May we perceive with clarity,
All things in their true reality.

3. The capping verse speaks to the importance of having clear vision in order to perceive the truth of all things. When our eyes are free from dust, we can see things without distortions, and the truth becomes clear. This verse suggests that we can develop the faculty of wisdom and cultivate a clear mind to gain this kind of vision.

Gassho, Jishin, ST, LAH

[aprapti]

aprapti


sat

[Tairin]

Thank you Shokai

1. How do the faculty or Root of Wisdom lead us to see all things as they are?

Similar to the last Gate through mental steadiness and emotional stability, we are able to avoid extremes that pull us away. Through balance we are able to see beyond to cloud of our perspectives the true nature of things.

3. Comment on the Capping Verse?

The capping verse called our dust. I called it clouds above. Either way they are the layers of self, the layers of personal perception that obscures


With a clear mind
Free of dust
We are able to see things as they are


Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Tai Do]

Thank you, Shokai!

1. With wisdom we can make calm and clear decisions according to the situation we are in and based on what the Precepts require; we can also perceive the phenomena and their impermanence, non-self and generated dhukkha.

2.
May we, together with all Buddhas,
Practice the faculty of wisdom
And perceive the nature of all dharmas

3. When obscured by our emotions, judgements, hindrances, divisive thinking, we cannot focus our mind on what truly matters.

Gassho,
Tai Do
Satlah