When you check in to a hospital the procedures are arbitrary and infantalizing. After you are there for a while you realize they are just right for you, yet the procedures have not changed. When you first take up zazen, you hear the expression "All Beings by Nature are Buddha". This is abstract and unreal. After you practice for a while, maybe a long while, you realize this very body is the Buddha, but it's not Buddha nature that's changed.
--RA
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In my own case, I checked into a hospital for a procedure and realized that all Beings by Nature are Buddha. It works this way too.
ReplyDeleteDavid Clark
Today I went into a doctor's office to have stitches removed from my left wrist. While in the waiting room an older woman and I carried on a conversation about our pain. Shocking nerve pain. Ouch! When I left I thanked her for the conversation and wished her best wishes for the ending of her pain. The body can only take so much pain; it either becomes numb, we use drugs to lessen the pain or we die. So, there is really nothing to worry about. :-) Well, humor is one way out. In comment to your statement above; it is you that have changed either at the hospital or on your cushion. Regards, O. B. Ray
ReplyDeleteFrom my zazen tonight (four men we were); I am not sure of the words to use, but here goes, "Reaching out to you, welcome back from the hospital." I do not know of the suffering or discomfort that brought you there, I do not have any secret about suffering or how to avoid it. Although the Buddha talks about Anata (No self) and in my own experience I have found that out to be so - no self. With some skill you can distance yourself from it (suffering,pain,discomfort). You don't have to own it. You may find some peace by being unattached to it. I do hope that you are not suffering as much and feel more comfortable on your return. Something like this must be said.
ReplyDeleteO. B. Ray
Dear Roshi, thank you for your words.
ReplyDeleteThey ring true to me. Driving home, shopping for groceries, paying my taxes, going to sleep, etc..
Every day whenever I _________ (without intent), the procedures are arbitrary and infantalizing.
Gassho,
Julia
By the way Anonymous Julia; I ate that (your comments)up. You know of course "It can be seen as such, and not necessary so."
ReplyDeleteThank-you, Roshi.
ReplyDeleteIs there anything beyond Buddha?
I hope you are well today.
Regards,
Harry.
Dear Aitken Roshi,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your teaching.
I vow to embody it fully.
Nine Full Bows.
Ted
Dear Robert Aiken Roshi,
ReplyDeleteI paused a moment in deciding on what to call you (above). I hope it is appropriate.
I see that Harry left a little morsel out there: "Is there anything beyond Buddha?"
I was waiting for your response to him. I would ask him; what is buddha to you?
During our mountains and rivers sesshin on Mt. Tamalpais last weekend and times before experienceing the unconditioned. I remember what Yamada Koan Roshi said, "We left it open, but watch what you accept." I have found it useful to come back to name or form. Someone may ask, it that you O.B. and I could respond to it. Almost everything else I see as a name caller. Such as: "World honored one, Buddha, boddhisatva, etc. And when I am really open I usually do not accept them. It is only extra baggage. I know that we can be seen as such and that these are only words we use to describe them but not useful. You can post this if you like or you can keep this just between you and I.
Boundless is the sky of samadhi set free...
Your friend O.B.
Gassho
Dear Robert,
ReplyDeleteIt looks like no one has come to this watering place for some time. Harry left a morsel, I must have left at least a salad, a side dish, or even a main course. If Harry had said Buddha nature, then I could have related to it. Isn't that strange? The words we use to discribe it and what we choose to accept? "Buddha nature pervades the whole universe, existing right here and now." Is something that I can relate to and have accepted. So whether it is; "All beings by nature are Buddha, or Buddha nature pervades the whole universe. (Nature Buddha - Buddha Nature). I hope that I have not come to this watering place and scared all of the beings away. If so, I apologize. It may be that there are many beings here and they are all keeping a noble silence. May they drink from the waters here and not go away thirsting for more.
Gassho,
O.B.
Hi O.B.,
ReplyDeleteYou didn't scare me away at least.
Buddha, to me, may be not restricting.
Regards,
Harry.
Hello Harry,
ReplyDeleteThank you for being.
Then you are free, liberated, unbound. Of course these are just words we use to describe it (like your words; "may be not restricting").
In our practice of course, we can and do get beyond it, whatever it is; beliefs, belief systems, and even words, thoughts and concepts.
Isn't it a marvelous practice we have?
Your friend,
O. B.
Hello Harry,
ReplyDeletePerhaps in: Isn't it a marvelous practice we have? A better word could be: Isn't it an enlightening practice we have?
Sincerely,
O.B.
Hello Robert,
ReplyDeleteIf you can catch that before it goes out; please change "a marvelous" to "an enlightening."
Thank you,
O. B.
Hello O.B.,
ReplyDeleteMarvellous and enlightening, indeed... but I can't say I'm particularly good at it!
All the best,
Harry.
Suzuki Roshi's "Beginner's Mind."
ReplyDeleteBy the way, Harry, I can't say I'm particulary good at it either.
ReplyDeleteGassho