In studying the Four Noble Truths recently, I ran across some new terminology. We could say that the Four Noble Truths are four tasks- The Four Noble Tasks. These tasks … Continue reading Four Noble Truths as Tasks
Tag: enlightenment
A Splendid Opportunity
Here is a terrific quote from Dogen Zenji on being in the present moment: “This is a splendid opportunity for buddha-dharma to enter into mud and water. If you do … Continue reading A Splendid Opportunity
A warm feeling in Zazen
From Suzuki Roshi’s book, “Not Always So” page 77: “If we do not have some warm, big satisfaction in our practice, that is not true practice. Even though you sit, … Continue reading A warm feeling in Zazen
Burning the flame of your life
From Katagiri Roshi: “Zazen is not a means to an end, it does not produce enlightenment. The zazen we do is shikan taza – just sitting. This type of zazen … Continue reading Burning the flame of your life
As long as demons exist in the world
“As long as demons exist in the world, they have their own reason to exist. The reason is completely beyond our human speculation, but demons exist in Buddha’s world. So we have … Continue reading As long as demons exist in the world
Spontaneous enlightenment
Do we see enlightenment and delusion as two separate things as people commonly believe? (Jijiyu Zanmai). What does Dogen’s practice-realization mean in terms of our directed efforts in practice to … Continue reading Spontaneous enlightenment
Circle of the way #2
“Our practice is not a kind of training for the sake of making an ignorant person smart, clever and finally enlightenment. Each action, each moment of sitting, is arousing Bodhi … Continue reading Circle of the way #2
Rohatsu Sesshin
Here are two wonderful quotes I found about Rohatsu Sesshin that at Clouds starts tonight and ends in a week. We do this every year to acknowledge Buddha’s Enlightenment Day … Continue reading Rohatsu Sesshin
Cubist Enlightenment
Several years ago in the practice leaders study group, we were questioning what to study. Ken Ford said, “Let’s study enlightenment!” We all laughed and balked. Balked because it’s a … Continue reading Cubist Enlightenment
Awakened Awareness
It seems that we get sidetracked in practice in many ways. Buddha said that he was the “awakened one.” Thich Nhat Hanh calls it mindfulness in every moment. Katagiri Roshi … Continue reading Awakened Awareness
A continuous line of immediacy
Dogen is like a twentieth century cubist. He tries to show the “whole” by showing every possible angle. He tries to show the “whole” by contradicting all the views. If … Continue reading A continuous line of immediacy