During this adventure it is not difficult to appreciate the concept of the butterfly effect. How an infinitesimal movement of wings can set up a ripple that is heard/felt around the world. There is a tale about the Deva Indra who has a net reaching every corner of the entire universe. At each intersection of the strands in this net is a jewel assigned to each and every dharma in creativity, including every being; for example, you and I. With the proper angle of perception/reflection each of these jewels sparkle with light. But, the essence of this analogy is that we are all connected.
Once every year ( or as it was recently suggested, every full moon) we get out our books to review and study our Bodhisattva precepts. Or perhaps, we recite the Heart Sutra along with our daily zazen; and maybe even the Kaikyoge:
The incomparably profound and minutely subtle Dharma
Is hardly met with in a hundred, thousand, million eons.
We now can listen to it, hear it and hold it.
May we completely understand the Tathagata's true meaning.
Is hardly met with in a hundred, thousand, million eons.
We now can listen to it, hear it and hold it.
May we completely understand the Tathagata's true meaning.
仁道 生開 - Jindo Shokai "Open to life in a benevolent way"
Just another itinerant monk; go somewhere else to listen to someone who really knows.
Gassho,
Edward
Risho