The Seventy-sixth of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

76) The Seventy-sixth Gate: Right discrimination

Right discrimination is a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with it] we eliminate all discrimination and lack of discrimination. (Nishijima/Cross)

Right thinking is a gate of realizing Darma; it leads to freedom from thinking and beyond thinking. (Tanahashi)

Gate Gatha:

May we, together with all buddhas;
Practice Right Discrimination,
That we may eliminate all discrimination and lack of discrimination..

Reflection Prompts:

1. How can Right discrimination eliminate all discrimination and lack of discrimination?

2. Or, how can it it lead to freedom from thinking and beyond thinking?

3. Write a new gatha.

Capping Verse:

Inseparable
Yet distinct
Not one and not two

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[aprapti]

aprapti


sat

[Jishin]

1. Right discrimination refers to the ability to distinguish between what is skillful and unskillful, beneficial and harmful, true and false. By cultivating this ability, we can eliminate all forms of discrimination, whether they are based on race, gender, nationality, or any other characteristic. At the same time, we also eliminate lack of discrimination, which refers to the tendency to be indiscriminate or non-discriminating. This gate helps us see things as they truly are, without being swayed by our own biases or prejudices.

2. Right thinking, which is closely related to right discrimination, leads to freedom from thinking and beyond thinking. By developing the ability to discriminate between what is true and false, we can gradually free ourselves from the endless cycle of thinking and conceptualizing. We can see through our own mental constructs and realize the true nature of reality. This realization goes beyond thinking and leads to a state of non-dual awareness, in which we are one with all things.

3. New Gate Gatha:

May we, together with all buddhas;
Cultivate right discrimination,
Seeing truth beyond all illusion,
May we transcend all discrimination and confusion.

Gassho, Jishin, ST, LAH

[Shokai]

May we, together with all buddhas;
Cultivate right discrimination,
Seeing truth beyond all illusion,
May we transcend all discrimination and confusion.