The Sixty-sixth of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

66) The Sixty-sixth Gate: The Power of Balance

The power of balance* is a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with it] we discontinue all thoughts. (Nishijima/Cross)

The ability of samadhi is a gate of realizing dharma; it becomes free from all thoughts. (Tanahashi)

*[Power of balance: great or marked ability to maintain mental steadiness or emotional stability; habit of calm behavior, judgment]

Gate Gatha:

May we, together with all buddhas;
Actualize the power of balance,
That we may free ourselves from all thoughts.

Reflection Prompts:

1. How does the power of balance cause us to cease all thought?

2. Write a new Capping verse.

3. Write a new Gate Gatha.

Capping Verse:

No ripples can form
In water
Of perfect stillness

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[Jishin]

The Sixty-sixth of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

1. The power of balance helps us cease all thought by allowing us to be present in the moment and fully focused on what is happening in the present without being distracted by past experiences or future worries. When we achieve balance, our mind becomes still and clear, and we can observe our thoughts without being controlled by them. We can maintain a calm and peaceful state, which allows us to let go of all mental chatter and just be.

2. A new Capping verse:

With the power of balance,
Our mind finds peace and stillness.
No waves of thought can disturb
The deep serenity we possess.

3. A new Gate Gatha:

With balance as our guide,
We enter the gate of peace.
All thoughts dissipate like smoke,
As we find our inner release.

Gassho, Jishin, ST, LAH

[aprapti]

aprapti


sat

[Tairin]

Thank you Shokai

1. How does the power of balance cause us to cease all thought?

I am not sure I agree with this one. I don’t think that balance causes us to cease all thoughts. I am not convinced that ceasing all thoughts is even a goal. Perhaps we are talking about getting lost in unhelpful, unhealthy thoughts. The Tanahashi translation “free of thoughts” may be a better interpretation but even then it is non-specific about which thoughts.

2. Write a new Capping verse.

The sky is clear and blue
Even when it is obscured by clouds

3. Write a new Gate Gatha.
May we, together with all buddhas;
Actualize the power of balance,
That we may see through our unhelpful thoughts


Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Tokan]

Hey again

1. How does the power of balance cause us to cease all thought? - If the power of balance, samadhi, is focused concentration, you are able to block normal mental processing, but I do not this as a natural state, and certainly does not seem to be what Zen teaches. The word discontinue is preferable for me over 'free from all thoughts', as it suggests the process of actively letting go, and you can develop that state in zazen where the mind is quiet and still with not much conscious thought, as Tairin suggests, it may not be helpful as a goal. From a psychological perspective, the mind is always generating thoughts, whether we are aware of them or not.

2. Write a new Capping verse.

With my eye on the horizon
I do not allow distractions
to hinder my path.

3. Write a new Gate Gatha.

May we, together with all buddhas;
Cultivate the power of letting thoughts be,
that they ever fade from consciousness.

Gassho, Tokan

satlah

[Shokai]

May we, together with all buddhas;
Cultivate the power of letting thoughts be,
that they ever fade from consciousness.

[Tai Do]

Thank you, Shokai!

1. Like others said, to cease all thoughts is not our goal, but to let go of them, to not become attached to them.

2.
Waves come and go
Big or small
But all the same ocean

3.
May we, together with all Buddhas,
Practice the ability of samadhi,
So that we can be free of all attachments
And work for the benefit of all sentient beings.

Gassho,
Tai Do
Satlah