"The path to awakening.."
Geoffrey Shugen Arnold Sensei is the head of Mountains and Rivers Order and abbot of the Zen Center of New York City, Fire Lotus Temple.
He explains that ordinary mind is the path itself, and that we can only see this truth if we look through unconditioned eyes.
To understand ordinary mind,
we have to understand Tao.
To understand Tao, we have to go beyond all knowing.
So to do this, we should look to the ordinary mind,
with unconditioned eyes.
Chao-chou once asked Nanchuan, "What is Tao?"
Nanchuan answered
"Ordinary mind is Tao."
"Then should we direct ourselves toward it or not?" asked Chao-chou.
"If you try to direct yourself towards it, you go away from it."
answered Nanchuan.
Chao-chou continued,
"If we do not try, how can we know that it is Tao?"
Nanchuan replied,
"Tao does not belong to knowing or not knowing. Knowing is illusion;
not knowing is blankness.
If you really attain the Tao of no-doubt, it is like the void,
vast and boundless.
How then, can there be right or wrong in Tao?"
At these words Chao-chou was suddenly enlightened.
My next question.......
'What are we doing when we sit in meditation?"
Practice is not mechanical, it's not a method or technique, it's not blank consciousness.
Buddhist meditation emphasises quieting the mind and incisive thought.
Ultimately we realise they are inseparable.'
Wu-men's commentary says,
"Nan-chuan shows us that the tile is disintegrating, the ice dissolving and no communication is possible."
"This is true intimacy" he said.
"Hundreds of flowers in spring, the moon in autumn,
A cool breeze in summer,
and snow in winter,
If there is no vain cloud in your mind,
For you it is a good season."
When Wu-men wrote this poem, he was talking about a life well lived, full and free, attending to what is needed but without a cloud in the mind.
The final question....
"What is Tao?"
It is at the very heart of Zen practice.
Tao means a passage, a path, a way. It also means the essential truth, or the underlying principle of our universe.
In Buddhism the path to awakening is not separate from enlightenment itself. As we travel the path, we practice living as an awakened person.
We tend to think of practice as a preparation for a time that hasn't arrived, however there is no future moment that we are preparing for.
Practice is living, cultivating virtue is being virtuous.
Practice is life.
Sensei tells us;
"The way is vast and boundless.
The way is not apart from this mind. Study, train, and realise your original mind, the mind of all beings, sentient and insentient."
My thanks to
'Buddhadharma,
The practitioners quarterly.'
Metta
Nathan
Sent from my iPhone and
http://www.dharmamaster.com
With love
Saturday, 30 May 2015
Thursday, 28 May 2015
Thus I have heard:
Thus I have heard:
The Buddha said;
If you speak or act with a kind
bright heart, then happiness
follows you,
like a shadow
that never leaves.
Dhp 1-2
He
insulted me,
hit me,
beat me,
robbed me,--
for those who brood on this, hostility isn't stilled.
He
Insulted me
hit me
beat me
robbed me,--
for those who don't brood on this,
hostility is stilled.
Hostilities aren't stilled
through hostility,
regardless.
Hostilities are stilled
through non-hostility :
this, an unending truth.
Unlike those who don't realise
that we are here on the verge
of perishing,
those who do,
their quarrels are stilled.
Dhp 3-6
..................
"Did you know that some people just exist to spoil others joy?
Ones whole life should not be dictated to, or even bullied by another, albeit someone mentally ill.
I suppose when one sees ones time is finishing, fear starts to take over. Unfortunately there are those who refuse to accept that this type of suffering can be overcome.
What to do?
Mental illness is so sad.
To be compassionate,
so hard.
What a lesson!
When we learn to let go of the minds rubbish, we start to see reality. We don't add extra rubbish, to the rubbish,
that's already there.
"Why does this happen to me?
What's wrong with me?
Maybe it's my fault?"
Etc, etc, etc.
We let go and avail ourselves of the wonders that are around us.
So......
"Out of every seed of adversity, comes a benefit."
When we sow seeds,
we reap huge benefits.
Hostility is stilled,
Quarrels are stilled.
Metta
Nathan
..............
Sent from my iPhone and
http://www.dharmamaster.com
With love
The Buddha said;
If you speak or act with a kind
bright heart, then happiness
follows you,
like a shadow
that never leaves.
Dhp 1-2
He
insulted me,
hit me,
beat me,
robbed me,--
for those who brood on this, hostility isn't stilled.
He
Insulted me
hit me
beat me
robbed me,--
for those who don't brood on this,
hostility is stilled.
Hostilities aren't stilled
through hostility,
regardless.
Hostilities are stilled
through non-hostility :
this, an unending truth.
Unlike those who don't realise
that we are here on the verge
of perishing,
those who do,
their quarrels are stilled.
Dhp 3-6
..................
"Did you know that some people just exist to spoil others joy?
Ones whole life should not be dictated to, or even bullied by another, albeit someone mentally ill.
I suppose when one sees ones time is finishing, fear starts to take over. Unfortunately there are those who refuse to accept that this type of suffering can be overcome.
What to do?
Mental illness is so sad.
To be compassionate,
so hard.
What a lesson!
When we learn to let go of the minds rubbish, we start to see reality. We don't add extra rubbish, to the rubbish,
that's already there.
"Why does this happen to me?
What's wrong with me?
Maybe it's my fault?"
Etc, etc, etc.
We let go and avail ourselves of the wonders that are around us.
So......
"Out of every seed of adversity, comes a benefit."
When we sow seeds,
we reap huge benefits.
Hostility is stilled,
Quarrels are stilled.
Metta
Nathan
..............
Sent from my iPhone and
http://www.dharmamaster.com
With love
Sunday, 15 March 2015
Thank you...
Thank you...
It's been a joyous fifteen years
working with Master Jodi at her Feng Shui shop at the Queen Victoria Market.
After much deliberation, Master Jodi has finally sold the shop, to a most capable and talented couple, Katina and Allan Hamilton.
I thank all the wonderful friends and customers that I have been blessed to meet through the shop, and feel graced by your presence.
From the 'bag lady' who visits twice a week to remind me that 'they' are watching.
To the lady who asked 'how much are the $5 Buddhas?'
To the man who just stands and stares at the ceiling for a full three minutes and then leaves.
To the miscreants and addicts,
I love you all.
My friends new and old;
A huge thank you for keeping me young and entertained.
To Master Jodi for allowing me to help in the shop 'Without Pay'
I thank the Market for all its heritage, tradition and a seemingly total lack of management, albeit they have been most kind to us.
Finally to the amazing young Chinese helpers, who without your help and guidance I would not have had the cultural knowledge.
We are blessed to live in a society that encompasses most beliefs and religions.
It is in this world that we have stood out as a beacon for Feng Shui and Chinese culture.
To the wonderful folk who have taken over our work, Katina and Allan, may you be guarded and guided.
May you all be as blessed,
as we have, with the joy and happiness, working in this great environment.
Thank you, and please keep in touch through email or Facebook.
With Metta
Nathan
Sent from my iPhone and
http://www.dharmamaster.com
With love
It's been a joyous fifteen years
working with Master Jodi at her Feng Shui shop at the Queen Victoria Market.
After much deliberation, Master Jodi has finally sold the shop, to a most capable and talented couple, Katina and Allan Hamilton.
I thank all the wonderful friends and customers that I have been blessed to meet through the shop, and feel graced by your presence.
From the 'bag lady' who visits twice a week to remind me that 'they' are watching.
To the lady who asked 'how much are the $5 Buddhas?'
To the man who just stands and stares at the ceiling for a full three minutes and then leaves.
To the miscreants and addicts,
I love you all.
My friends new and old;
A huge thank you for keeping me young and entertained.
To Master Jodi for allowing me to help in the shop 'Without Pay'
I thank the Market for all its heritage, tradition and a seemingly total lack of management, albeit they have been most kind to us.
Finally to the amazing young Chinese helpers, who without your help and guidance I would not have had the cultural knowledge.
We are blessed to live in a society that encompasses most beliefs and religions.
It is in this world that we have stood out as a beacon for Feng Shui and Chinese culture.
To the wonderful folk who have taken over our work, Katina and Allan, may you be guarded and guided.
May you all be as blessed,
as we have, with the joy and happiness, working in this great environment.
Thank you, and please keep in touch through email or Facebook.
With Metta
Nathan
Sent from my iPhone and
http://www.dharmamaster.com
With love
Thursday, 12 March 2015
Attachment.....
Attachment.....
We are going through massive changes right now.
Jodi's business has been sold and the last day is this Sunday.
Our home of fourteen years has also been sold and we leave on Monday for overseas.
The cleaning out in our life, of what's unnecessary, has been most rewarding. The feeling of letting go of attachments has given us great relief.
Of course our friends and family are now offering advice of what we should do next.
One friend advised that we should cleanse our minds of panic of not having a base to call home.
This they determined would be achieved by prayer.
Another said we should try meditation.
This clears the path, they said.
So in answer to all those caring sharing folk, I offer the following;
Attachment....
The purpose of prayer, meditation, or going to a Temple of any faith, is to free ourselves from our agitated uncontrolled state of mind.
We only free ourselves when we stop attaching ourselves to things that happen.
When we release the delusions, the fears, the past or the future, then peace prevails.
We believe we receive peace and harmony in the presence of The Divine or some other entity other than ourselves.
...................
So, there was a wealthy man who had three sons and he loved them dearly.
He didn't know who to entrust his business to when he leaves his present life.
He was wealthy for a reason,
he was clever.
He gathered his sons together and told them;
"Here is a room, empty, absolutely empty.
Please fill it, to represent how you will run my business.
The one who does it to my satisfaction, will take over when I am gone."
The first son, the eldest, filled the room with earth.
He told his father that this represented his earthiness.
The second, middle son, filled the room with paper.
He told his father that this represented the money he would make.
The father said to the first son "thank you, your earth represents objects of clutter, earthiness, but it is messy.
Clutter leaves a home empty and it loses it's attractiveness with time."
To the second son, he said
"thank you, your paper represents stocks, bonds, shares, but has no real relationship to family.
On paper, you are a millionaire, in real terms, you have no friends, no true joy,
a lonely life.
The youngest son had not filled the room with anything but a candle.
When the father saw this,
he was most pleased.
He said, "thank you my true wise son.
You know how to fill a vacuum.
All emptiness needs light,
a candle of light,
a candle of joy.
The candle of inner peace,
to fill our homes and lives with light and joy and love."
The lesson we learn from this Dharma is not to fill our lives with attachment to anything,
other than light, joy and love.
Nathan.
Sent from my iPhone and
http://www.dharmamaster.com
With love
We are going through massive changes right now.
Jodi's business has been sold and the last day is this Sunday.
Our home of fourteen years has also been sold and we leave on Monday for overseas.
The cleaning out in our life, of what's unnecessary, has been most rewarding. The feeling of letting go of attachments has given us great relief.
Of course our friends and family are now offering advice of what we should do next.
One friend advised that we should cleanse our minds of panic of not having a base to call home.
This they determined would be achieved by prayer.
Another said we should try meditation.
This clears the path, they said.
So in answer to all those caring sharing folk, I offer the following;
Attachment....
The purpose of prayer, meditation, or going to a Temple of any faith, is to free ourselves from our agitated uncontrolled state of mind.
We only free ourselves when we stop attaching ourselves to things that happen.
When we release the delusions, the fears, the past or the future, then peace prevails.
We believe we receive peace and harmony in the presence of The Divine or some other entity other than ourselves.
...................
So, there was a wealthy man who had three sons and he loved them dearly.
He didn't know who to entrust his business to when he leaves his present life.
He was wealthy for a reason,
he was clever.
He gathered his sons together and told them;
"Here is a room, empty, absolutely empty.
Please fill it, to represent how you will run my business.
The one who does it to my satisfaction, will take over when I am gone."
The first son, the eldest, filled the room with earth.
He told his father that this represented his earthiness.
The second, middle son, filled the room with paper.
He told his father that this represented the money he would make.
The father said to the first son "thank you, your earth represents objects of clutter, earthiness, but it is messy.
Clutter leaves a home empty and it loses it's attractiveness with time."
To the second son, he said
"thank you, your paper represents stocks, bonds, shares, but has no real relationship to family.
On paper, you are a millionaire, in real terms, you have no friends, no true joy,
a lonely life.
The youngest son had not filled the room with anything but a candle.
When the father saw this,
he was most pleased.
He said, "thank you my true wise son.
You know how to fill a vacuum.
All emptiness needs light,
a candle of light,
a candle of joy.
The candle of inner peace,
to fill our homes and lives with light and joy and love."
The lesson we learn from this Dharma is not to fill our lives with attachment to anything,
other than light, joy and love.
Nathan.
Sent from my iPhone and
http://www.dharmamaster.com
With love
Tuesday, 3 February 2015
A Kings Dream........
A Kings Dream........
One night, in a dream,
the king saw death.
He was so afraid,
he asked death;
"Why are you in my dream,
why are you frightening me?"
Death replied; "I have come to tell you that tomorrow at sunset I will come to get you, so get ready and it's out of compassion I tell you, so you have time to prepare."
The king was so shocked,
that in the middle of the night,
he called his ministers and asked them to find people who could interpret the dream.
The king asked them what could be done as time is short and maybe the dream is true.
So the dream interpreters and scholars came with big books, and started to discuss,
dispute and argue.
The sun was already up and the king was getting more worried by the minute.
An old trusted servant came to the king and whispered;
"Don't be foolish your majesty,
these scolars will never find the answer, they will argue for ever.
I suggest you leave the palace since death visited you here,
if you are not here, then death may not find you.
By sunset you can be far away."
The logic seemed right.
So he left the palace.
The king had a fast horse and he travelled far, and by sunset he had reached a beautiful tree.
He patted the horse and said
"You did well and we have come so far, death will never find us here."
As he was patting his horse,
the king felt somebody standing behind him.
He turned and he saw death laughing.
"Why are you laughing,"
asked the king?
Death answered,
"I was worried because you were destined to die under this tree and I wondered how you would get here in time.
Your horse did well.
I came to you in your dream last night, as I wanted you to escape from the palace.
You have come so far and only one day left, your horse did well."
As death said this, he touched both king and horse, and they passed into their next life.
......................
Wherever we go, death is waiting for us, in all directions,
in all places.
We know this is unavoidable, but the mind starts to spin some stupid ways to avoid death.
We want our lives to last forever,
in perfect health, with lots of money.
Our prayers go out to all misguided souls who do not follow the way of natural occurrence.
We must realise we are guarded and guided.
The more we practice and cultivate, the happier and more successful our lives become and death does not enter our thoughts.
Thanks to our practice,
all is well.
Nathan.
Sent from my iPhone and
http://www.dharmamaster.com
With love
One night, in a dream,
the king saw death.
He was so afraid,
he asked death;
"Why are you in my dream,
why are you frightening me?"
Death replied; "I have come to tell you that tomorrow at sunset I will come to get you, so get ready and it's out of compassion I tell you, so you have time to prepare."
The king was so shocked,
that in the middle of the night,
he called his ministers and asked them to find people who could interpret the dream.
The king asked them what could be done as time is short and maybe the dream is true.
So the dream interpreters and scholars came with big books, and started to discuss,
dispute and argue.
The sun was already up and the king was getting more worried by the minute.
An old trusted servant came to the king and whispered;
"Don't be foolish your majesty,
these scolars will never find the answer, they will argue for ever.
I suggest you leave the palace since death visited you here,
if you are not here, then death may not find you.
By sunset you can be far away."
The logic seemed right.
So he left the palace.
The king had a fast horse and he travelled far, and by sunset he had reached a beautiful tree.
He patted the horse and said
"You did well and we have come so far, death will never find us here."
As he was patting his horse,
the king felt somebody standing behind him.
He turned and he saw death laughing.
"Why are you laughing,"
asked the king?
Death answered,
"I was worried because you were destined to die under this tree and I wondered how you would get here in time.
Your horse did well.
I came to you in your dream last night, as I wanted you to escape from the palace.
You have come so far and only one day left, your horse did well."
As death said this, he touched both king and horse, and they passed into their next life.
......................
Wherever we go, death is waiting for us, in all directions,
in all places.
We know this is unavoidable, but the mind starts to spin some stupid ways to avoid death.
We want our lives to last forever,
in perfect health, with lots of money.
Our prayers go out to all misguided souls who do not follow the way of natural occurrence.
We must realise we are guarded and guided.
The more we practice and cultivate, the happier and more successful our lives become and death does not enter our thoughts.
Thanks to our practice,
all is well.
Nathan.
Sent from my iPhone and
http://www.dharmamaster.com
With love
Friday, 23 January 2015
Some Zen....
Some Zen....
Some fifteen years ago David Bell wrote a funny inspirational book of Zenisms.
Great book.
A young monk walked up and down the bank of a wide swiftly flowing river deciding how to cross.
He noticed a great Zen master on the other side.
He cried out to the wise master;
"Great teacher, how shall I get to the other side of the river?"
The master called back;
"You are already on the other side of the river!"
Thanks David.
Nathan
Sent from my iPhone and
http://www.dharmamaster.com
With love
Some fifteen years ago David Bell wrote a funny inspirational book of Zenisms.
Great book.
A young monk walked up and down the bank of a wide swiftly flowing river deciding how to cross.
He noticed a great Zen master on the other side.
He cried out to the wise master;
"Great teacher, how shall I get to the other side of the river?"
The master called back;
"You are already on the other side of the river!"
Thanks David.
Nathan
Sent from my iPhone and
http://www.dharmamaster.com
With love
Wednesday, 21 January 2015
My calendar....
My calendar....
I have a Zen calendar that gives daily inspiration.
Today is particularly apt.
"A Hasidic Rabbi, talking about daybreak, the time for morning prayers, asked his students how they knew when night ends and day begins.
'It is when you can see an animal in the distance and tell if it is sheep or a dog.'
'No' said the Rabbi.
'Is it when you can see the lines on your hand?'
'No' came the answer.
'Is it when you see a tree and can tell if it is a fig or pear?'
'No' said the Rabbi.
"You are all wrong."
"It is when you can look on the face of any man or woman and see that they are your brother or sister.
Until then it is still night."
Hasidic Mondo
Nathan
Sent from my iPhone and
http://www.dharmamaster.com
With love
I have a Zen calendar that gives daily inspiration.
Today is particularly apt.
"A Hasidic Rabbi, talking about daybreak, the time for morning prayers, asked his students how they knew when night ends and day begins.
'It is when you can see an animal in the distance and tell if it is sheep or a dog.'
'No' said the Rabbi.
'Is it when you can see the lines on your hand?'
'No' came the answer.
'Is it when you see a tree and can tell if it is a fig or pear?'
'No' said the Rabbi.
"You are all wrong."
"It is when you can look on the face of any man or woman and see that they are your brother or sister.
Until then it is still night."
Hasidic Mondo
Nathan
Sent from my iPhone and
http://www.dharmamaster.com
With love
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