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Showing posts from December, 2018

A Lotus in flaming fire

Sitting with Eyes Open in the Flames of the World 516. Dharma Hall Discourse The ancestral teacher N›g›rjuna said, “Zazen is exactly the Dharma of all buddhas, and yet, those outside the way also have zazen. However, those outside the way make the error of attaching to its taste and to the thorns of false views. Therefore it is not the same as the zazen of buddhas and bodhisattvas. The two vehicles of Ÿr›vakas [and pratyekabuddhas] also have zazen. However, those two vehicles [seek to] control their own minds, and have the tendency of seeking after nirv›˚a. Therefore, this is different from the zazen of buddhas and bodhisattvas.”96 The teacher Dßgen said: The ancestral teacher N›g›rjuna spoke like this. We should know that although the name of zazen (sitting meditation) is used by those of the two vehicles and those outside the way, it is not the same as the sitting transmitted by buddha ancestors. These days in the mountains and temples of Song dynasty C

Not-knowing: Dogen Zenji

I heard the essence of this teaching directly from Maezumi Roshi and just found the source.  It holds very special place in my heart. What Is Intimacy? 59. Dharma Hall Discourse Here is a story. Zen Master Fayan [Wenyi] once visited [his teacher] Zen Master [Luohan Gui]chen. The teacher asked, “Reverend, where are you going?” Fayan said, “I will travel around on pilgrimage.” Guichen asked, “What is the meaning of pilgrimage?” Fayan said, “I don’t know.” Guichen said, “Not knowing is most intimate.” Fayan suddenly was greatly enlightened. The teacher Dogen said: If this were Kosho [Dogen, in this situation] I would respond to Dizang [Guichen]: Is not knowing most intimate or is knowing most intimate? I completely leave the greatest intimacy to intimacy, but now I ask Dizang [Guichen]: What is this intimacy?