Sisyphus and zen

[Ryumon]

As a long-time appreciator of Albert Camus' writings, I found this article on Tricycle quite interesting:

https://tricycle.org/article/albert-camus-sisyphus

Gassho,

Ryūmon (Kirk)

Sat Lah

[Jundo]

Sisyphus was a guest here in 2010 ...

We are Sisyphus.

Some folks think the point of this practice is to get to a place where we can put the stone down for good (perhaps by realizing that the stone is just a dream). Perhaps we might see Sisyphus's (?) pushing that boulder (of ignorance and delusion) as his practice, his striving, to finally be free of the boulder of delusion by reaching (attaining) that place where the boulder will rest at the top of the mountain permanently, his practice accomplished, Sisyphus free once and for all of the burden of delusion and need to practice.

(or if trying to fix the world ... to get to that place where all of the world's problems are solved once and for all, and Planet Earth becomes Candyland or the Garden of Eden)

It may be so for Perfect Buddha. However, so long as Sisyphus is a human being, we know that Sisyphus will likely never reach that stopping place ... perhaps not for countless lives, if ever ... The "Promised Pure Lotus Land" is very far away. I mean ... when we are dead, then we can put the rock down!

What is more, if Sis' gives up his efforts to push the boulder of ignorance up that hill (practice), he will be quickly crushed by ignorance and delusions which will roll over him ... so he cannot and must not stop practicing.

(and in trying to fix the world ... if we completely surrender and quit trying, this world will be a much worse place.)

What is Sisyphus to do? Or not do? A Koany dilemma!

https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...?7902-Sisyphus

Gassho, J

stlah

[Koushi]

One must imagine Sisyphus happy.

Indeed. Thanks for the early morning read.

Gassho,
Koushi
ST

[Alina]

It's a nice, comforting thought, to think that Sisyphus found an invincible summer in himself (https://images.app.goo.gl/dd9pMPT6h6JpjN1R8).

Thank you for sharing the article.

Gassho [emoji120]
Alina

ST+LAH

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[Shinshi]

Fascinating read, thank you for sharing Ryūmon.

Gassho, Shinshi

SaT-LaH

[Onkai]

Thank you everyone for this thread.

Gassho, Onkai
Sat lah

[RobO]

Thank you. The parallels seem clear now they are pointed out.

Gassho 🙏
Rob
Stlah

[Kokuu]

Thank you, Ryūmon. I really like it as a metaphor for life that instead of symbolising hopelessness, can be given another meaning to the actions of each moment.

I remember reading another teacher talking about Sisyphus in this way, I think it was Pema Chodron.

Also, here: https://www.lionsroar.com/sisyphus-the-bodhisattva/

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday/lah-

[Washin]

Lovely article. Thank you for sharing.

Gassho
Washin
Stlah

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