Vipers in a Pool (The First Noble Truth)

[Sekishi]

The frictions drop away and the gap is closed. In fact, there never was a gap all along. All flowing flowing.

Thus the simple elegance, the power of the medicine of Shikantaza.

Once the gap (that was never there at all) is closed, when we get up off the cushion, how can we do anything but act? Really beautiful.

Thank you Jundo.

Deep bows,
Sekishi

[Jishin]

Wow! If you do not mind my asking, is this in reference to Mucalinda or something else?

Gassho,
Sekishi

It's purely accidental. I started getting tatted up 8 years ago and now just have my left leg left. The underlying theme of my tats are Asian in nature. I have dragons, coy fish, tigers, vipers, yin-yen symbols, temple guards etc. The vipers came first and there was a nice whole left to be covered in my abdomen. An enlightened Buddha fit perfectly. I thought it was cool because when I get older my belly will grow and will bring good luck when rubbed. I think the Chinese chunky happy Buddha brings good luck when his belly is rubbed.

Gassho, Jishin

[Sekishi]

It's purely accidental.

"It was just my Karma."

I think the Chinese chunky happy Buddha brings good luck when his belly is rubbed.

Good old Hotai (Budai in China I think). I am currently working on cultivating his physique as part of my intensive training.

To bring this thread full circle, there is a wonderful Koan about Budai. It is said that he travelled around, giving children candy / food / gifts (from the bag he is often shown to be carrying). One day he met another monk who asked him "What is the meaning of Zen?" Budai put down his bag. Then the monk asked "How does one realize Zen?" Budai picked his bag back up and walked away.
I asked the same question in my original post. Some of the Budai's here answered similarly (if not as physically).

Thank you Jishin.

Deep bows to all.
Sekishi

[Jundo]

Maybe best to put the snakes down now, just sit ... and let them slither along.

Too much talk about snakes does not even begin to capture the bite, nor the sound of the hiss!

Perhaps that is the best answer to "What is Buddha, What is Zen".

Gassho, J

[Sekishi]

Maybe best to put the snakes down down, just sit ... and let them slither along.

Thank you dear Jundo. Deep bows.

...And what a photo you found! Thank for that too. I think...

Gassho,
Sekishi

[Sekishi]

I found this tonight: it turns out that there is a Sutta about just this topic (protection from vipers). The Buddha's answer is Metta:

May I have metta towards the footless.
And towards bipeds too, metta may I have.
May I have metta towards quadrupeds.
And towards the many-footed also metta may I have.

http://www.buddhanet.net/bp_sut05.htm

Deep bows to all you bipeds. Deep bows to the footless ones swimming in the deep.

Deep bows to all in Slytherin house as well.