Gate Twenty two
Read the following, place it in your heart and sleep on it. Then, tomorrow, live it until evening when you can leave a brief comment on what you may have received during the process.
Repentance is a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with it] the mind within is stilled.
A “Dharma Gate”, is a teaching or practice we can study to gain insights into the deepening our practice. It's a way to integrate our understanding of approaching reality.
The Koan:
"Traditionally there are two kinds of Repentance in Buddhism. One is a formal repentance, called Ji-sange*, which is made at a Sangha meeting called Uposatha ( or Fusatsu - Jp) held twice a month on new or full moon days. The other is a formless repentance called ri-sange*. Sitting in Zazen and letting go of thoughts is formless repentance."
An important verse of Repentance found in the Smanthabadra Sutra expresses formless repentance and repentance of true reality:
The ocean of all karmic hindrances
arises solely from delusive thoughts.
If you wish to make repentance,
sit in upright position and be mindful of the true reality.
All misdemeanors, like frost and dew,
are melted away in the sun of wisdom.**
Japanese Soto Zen master, Banjin Dotan (1698-1775) had this to say about that:
"The essence of repentance is that delusion and enlightenment, or living beings and Buddhas, are one. Because of this, a person who practices repentance is endowed with all virtue.... Repentance is another name for the Three Treasures. To repent is to take refuge in the Three Treasures......
We are however, able to attain liberation within delusion. We could say that before delusions leave, true reality has arrived. That is what is meant by the expression "Before the donkey leaves, the horse has arrived." We shoud learn that repentance is none other than the Dharma, the practice of the Buddha's awakening."
* "Ji and ri are important concepts in Chinese Buddhism. Ji refers to the relative, conventional, phenomenal and formal level, whereas ri refers to the absolute, supreme. total and formless level."
** "This is a translation by Okumura Roshi from Busso-Shoden (Essence of Buddha Ancestors' Authentically TransmittedZen Precepts),Taisho, vol 82, no.1601. [Note 35 pg 259 Living by Vow.]
- Recommended reading: Chpt.2, Living by Vow. by Shohaku Okumura roshi
Most note worthy replies :
It never ceases to amaze me how dwelling on past actions is like stirring a pot of old soup. The same same mushy carrots keep coming to the surface...
Opening the cage
Of the past
We walk free and clear
js/stlah
Read the following, place it in your heart and sleep on it. Then, tomorrow, live it until evening when you can leave a brief comment on what you may have received during the process.
Repentance is a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with it] the mind within is stilled.
A “Dharma Gate”, is a teaching or practice we can study to gain insights into the deepening our practice. It's a way to integrate our understanding of approaching reality.
The Koan:
"Traditionally there are two kinds of Repentance in Buddhism. One is a formal repentance, called Ji-sange*, which is made at a Sangha meeting called Uposatha ( or Fusatsu - Jp) held twice a month on new or full moon days. The other is a formless repentance called ri-sange*. Sitting in Zazen and letting go of thoughts is formless repentance."
An important verse of Repentance found in the Smanthabadra Sutra expresses formless repentance and repentance of true reality:
The ocean of all karmic hindrances
arises solely from delusive thoughts.
If you wish to make repentance,
sit in upright position and be mindful of the true reality.
All misdemeanors, like frost and dew,
are melted away in the sun of wisdom.**
Japanese Soto Zen master, Banjin Dotan (1698-1775) had this to say about that:
"The essence of repentance is that delusion and enlightenment, or living beings and Buddhas, are one. Because of this, a person who practices repentance is endowed with all virtue.... Repentance is another name for the Three Treasures. To repent is to take refuge in the Three Treasures......
We are however, able to attain liberation within delusion. We could say that before delusions leave, true reality has arrived. That is what is meant by the expression "Before the donkey leaves, the horse has arrived." We shoud learn that repentance is none other than the Dharma, the practice of the Buddha's awakening."
* "Ji and ri are important concepts in Chinese Buddhism. Ji refers to the relative, conventional, phenomenal and formal level, whereas ri refers to the absolute, supreme. total and formless level."
** "This is a translation by Okumura Roshi from Busso-Shoden (Essence of Buddha Ancestors' Authentically TransmittedZen Precepts),Taisho, vol 82, no.1601. [Note 35 pg 259 Living by Vow.]
- Recommended reading: Chpt.2, Living by Vow. by Shohaku Okumura roshi
Most note worthy replies :
It never ceases to amaze me how dwelling on past actions is like stirring a pot of old soup. The same same mushy carrots keep coming to the surface...
Opening the cage
Of the past
We walk free and clear
js/stlah
)
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