Gathas

[Al]

I really like working with gathas. I wrote about them on my blog, and I love the ones written by Thich Nhat Hanh and Robert Aitken.

I write a few of my own from time to time and I thought I would start a thread to share them. Hopefully you guys will share some also.

Here's a few of my favorite's from Aitken to get started (same ones I posted on my blog):

When someone offers a drink
I vow with all beings
to acknowledge the sorrow it causes
as it warms and gladdens our hearts.

When the outcome proves disappointing
I vow with all beings
to look again at my purpose-
was it Dharma or something else?

When I panic at losing my bearings
I vow with all beings
to acknowledge the error is panic,
not losing familiar ground.

When my efforts are clearly outclassed
I vow with all beings
to face my own limitations
and bring forth my original self.

Looking up at the sky
I vow with all beings
to remember this infinite ceiling
in every room of my life.

When a car goes by late at night
I vow with all beings
to remember the lonely bakers
who secretly nourish us all.

When a train rattles by at the crossing
I vow with all beings
to remember my mother and father
and imagine their thoughts in the night.

[chicanobudista]

Re: Gathas

Gathas....they are like Buddhist stickies. :mrgreen: :P

[Manatee]

Re: Gathas

Gassho.

Mandy

[Jundo]

Re: Gathas

Hi,

We will be reciting various Gatha during our upcoming 2-day Ango/Jukai/Rohatsu Retreat ... for going to the bathroom, brushing teeth, meals ... and I will have a talk up about that on the sit-a-long before the retreat.

I think that they speak for themselves, and help us realize that our every little daily action is sacred in its way, is the basis for our life, and has effects.

Gassho, J

[Dosho]

Re: Gathas

Shinkai,

Thank you for this; many bows.

Gassho,
Dosho

[Eika]

Re: Gathas

I particularly like the encouragement by some teachers to create our own gathas . . . that way we are never without one.

Gassho,
Eika

[Al]

Re: Gathas

Here is my work gatha for today:

When sitting in my cubicle waiting for Christmas vacation
I vow with all beings
To turn and face my work and my officemates
as if they're the gifts waiting for me.

[Al]

Re: Gathas

And another for my biggest non-problem Zen problem, gossip:

When I catch myself assigning reasons and motives
I vow with all beings
To find and expose all of my most private reasons and motives
Before guessing anyone else's.

[Jundo]

Re: Gathas

And another for my biggest non-problem Zen problem, gossip:

When I catch myself assigning reasons and motives
I vow with all beings
To find and expose all of my most private reasons and motives
Before guessing anyone else's.

These are wonderful, Shinkai!

Anyone else with some "homemade" Gatha?

[Al]

Re: Gathas

Dealing with inlaws
I vow with all beings
to broaden my view of family
and broaden my heart until it breaks open.

[Shohei]

Re: Gathas

Here is my work gatha for today:

When sitting in my cubicle waiting for Christmas vacation
I vow with all beings
To turn and face my work and my officemates
as if they're the gifts waiting for me.

All of these are wonderful Shinkai! Thank you for the gifts!! This one i will be using many times daily - Thank you!!


Gassho
Shohei

[Al]

Re: Gathas

Thank you all for your nice comments!

Here is my gatha for this afternoon:

Grinding fresh afternoon coffee
I vow with all beings
to inhale each moment
dropping likes and dislikes.

[Al]

Re: Gathas

When receiving criticism for my work
I vow with all beings
that I will accept the marks
and adjust the mark before I shoot again.

[Al]

Re: Gathas

When committing to resolutions
I vow with all beings
to keep the Dharma in mind with each goal
and to let all the goals drop from each mind.

[Al]

Re: Gathas

Waiting for news
I vow with all beings
to stand solidly and wait patiently
on the ground of not knowing.