The Sixty-ninth of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

69) The Sixty-ninth Gate: Examination of Dharma

Examination* of Dharma, as a part of the state of truth, is a gate of Dharma illumination; for it illuminates all dharmas. (Nishijima/Cross)

Branches of awakening with dharma are a gate of realizing dharma; they illuminate all things. (Tanahashi)
*[Examination: the act of examining; inspection; inquiry; investigation.]

Gate Gatha:

May we, together with all buddhas;
Closely examine the Dharma, as a part of the state of truth,
That we may illuminate all dharmas.

Reflection Prompts:

1. How does Examination illuminate the dharmas?

2. Write a new Gate Gatha.

3. Do you feel the Capping Verse aptly captures the essence of this Gate?

Capping Verse:

Truth exists right here
Stop looking
And begin seeing

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[Jishin]

The Sixty-ninth of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

1. Examination of Dharma illuminates the dharmas by allowing us to closely inspect and investigate them. Through examination, we can gain a deeper understanding of the nature of reality and the interconnectedness of all things. By examining the dharma, we can see how everything is constantly changing and how our actions and thoughts affect the world around us. This gate of Dharma illumination reminds us that the truth is always present and that we can uncover it through careful examination and inquiry.

2. New Gate Gatha:

May we, together with all beings,
Cultivate compassion with open hearts,
That we may bring light to the world
And alleviate suffering wherever it exists.

3. The Capping Verse does capture the essence of this Gate by reminding us that the truth is not something external that we need to search for, but something that is already present within us. To access the truth, we need to stop looking outside of ourselves and instead turn our attention inward to begin seeing the world more clearly.

Gassho, Jishin, ST, LAH

[aprapti]

aprapti


sat

[Tairin]

Thank you Shokai

1. How does Examination illuminate the dharmas?

Well firstly I don’t think this is an examination in a medical or scientific way. I think we are talking about an examination in an experiential way. Reflecting on our biases, our preferences, the way our discriminately mind divides up the world we can see beyond them.

2. Write a new Gate Gatha.

May we, together with all buddhas;
See past our discriminatory mind and closely examine the Dharma
So that we may illuminate all dharmas.

3. Do you feel the Capping Verse aptly captures the essence of this Gate?

Definitely. The difference between looking and seeing is similar to the difference between hearing and listening. There is an active intention to seeing that isn’t found in the more passive action of looking. Examining the Dharma is an active intention


Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Shokai]

May we, together with all buddhas;
See past our discriminatory mind and closely examine the Dharma
So that we may illuminate all dharmas.