The First of the 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

As stated, This time around we will review the Gates in a slightly different fashion. Read the following statement, Place it in your heart and sleep on it. Tomorrow, live and practice it until evening when you leave a comment as to how it affected you; something brief, perhaps a three line couplet or Gatha verse.

The First Gate:

Right belief is a gate of Dharma Illumination for (with it) the steadfast mind is not broken.

gassho, Shokai

[Shokai]

Setting out, Right Belief seems an impossible journey. So how to enter even the First Gate?

Mist shrouded path
White wall before me
Sitting sitting sitting
I trust in the Way
From here to here

, Shokai

[Shokai]

For me it means discipline. Yes I sit every morning. Yes I try to live the Bodhisattva Vows, but sometimes I fail miserably. The discipline is in feeling like I've let myself down. The discipline is in knowing for a fact that tomorrow I will again start my day with Shikantaza.
Thank you Shokai
Gassho
Onka
Sat today

Onka;

Perhaps there is more failure in this world than successes. But, That is how we learn. Don't cling to your faillings and stop beating yourself up. Let them go and start anew. Remember that adage; fall down seven; get up eight. This is a remnant of Bodhidharma's experience. Also, you may want to review the verse of Atonement.
Do no harm to yourself as well as others

gassho, Shokai

[Shokai]

Thank you, Shokai. Looking forward to working with these. Spent the day contemplating if a gate is an opening, a barrier or both. Right Belief is right here, right now is perfect and complete.
Gassho,
Krista

beautiful
, Shokai