Cave of tigers

[Taigu]

The late and great teacher Daido Loori of the White Plum lineage had a few of his dharma combats and mondo recorded and published in an amazing book. Some 20 years ago I opened this book and could not tell where the tail or the head were, this pile of Zen conversations were impenetrable. I ordered it yesterday on my kindle and could hardly believe it, this is a remarkable book filled with incredible wisdom and sharp compassion, it is as if we an hear his low and deep voice, filled with years of sitting and smoking.
A very refreshing source of fresh water.

If you fancy entering the cave, come this way...

Gassho


T.

[Mp]

Wonderful Taigu, I look forward to the adventure.

Gassho
Shingen

[pinoybuddhist]

Thank you Taigu.


Rafael

[Myozan Kodo]

Thank you for this.
Gassho
Myozan

[Taikyo]

Thank you Taigu - always willing to learn
Gassho
David

[Kokuu]

I read this earlier in the year and found it incredibly engaging and helpful on a number of topics.

Although we do not have this kind of dokusan here, I did it once with Dosho Port and my Tibetan teacher used a similar approach with his students. It has the merit of putting you firmly in a place in which the response comes directly from experience rather than intellectual knowing.

Aside from anything else, I love how this book seems to reflect the dedication and personality of John Daido Loori. A very good read and something I will definitely return to.

Gassho
Andy

[Myosha]

Thank you.


Gassho,
Edward

[Tiwala]

I love John Daido Loori. Very clear teachings that can readily be accessed by beginners who aren't well-versed in speaking 'zen speak' yet, as I've been for a hundred years. Naturally, the highest truths can't be expounded, but everything else is nicely set forth, at least I suppose they are. Up there with Sheng-Yen fashi as one of my favourite modern teachers.

Actually read Upaya's reader on shikantaza this afternoon and enjoyed Loori's exposition of the practice.

especially liked this part:

Dahui's criticism of silent illumination was partly valid, based on the legitimate danger of
practitioners misunderstanding this approach as quietistic or passive. Dahui's critique was
echoed centuries later by Japanese Rinzai critics of just sitting, such as Hakuin in the
seventeenth century. Just sitting can indeed sometimes degenerate into dull attachment to
inner bliss states, with no responsiveness to the suffering of the surrounding world.
Hongzhi clarifies that this is not the intention of his practice, for example when he says,
"In wonder return to the journey, avail yourself of the path and walk ahead. . . . With the
hundred grass tips in the busy marketplace graciously share yourself."[11] The
meditation advocated by both Hongzhi and Dogen is firmly rooted in the bodhisattva path
and its liberative purpose of assisting and awakening beings. Mere idle indulgence in
peacefulness and bliss is not the point.

Bold parts are my favourite.

Gassho,
Ben

[Heisoku]

If you fancy entering the cave, come this way...

.......OK.
Gashho

[sittingzen]

Entering this cave, I shall. _/\_

Gassho,

Lu

[RichardH]

I enter the cave too.

Gassho Daizan

[Risho]

oh cool... I've always been on the fence about this book; I'll have to read it.

Gassho,

Risho

[Kyonin]

I shall enter the cave soon.

Hope the tiger doesn't like Mexican meat...

Gassho,

Kyonin

[Taigu]

I hope it does!


Leaping into
Space-flesh-mind
Tiger


Nothing should remain of you.

And... you are one of them.

Gassho

T.

[Kyonin]

I hope it does!


Leaping into
Space-flesh-mind
Tiger


Nothing should remain of you.

And... you are one of them.

Gassho

T.

Speechless.

Thank you, Teacher.

Gassho,

Kyonin