SIT-A-LONG with Taigu FUKANZAZENGI 5

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qu7Ql...1&feature=plcp[/youtube]


Furthermore, the whole body far transcends dust and dirt: who could believe in the means of sweeping and polishing? In general, we never depart from the place where we should be: of what use, then, are the tiptoes of training?

De plus, le corps dans sa totalité est au delà de toute poussière, qui peut croire qu’il est besoin de l épousseter et le polir ? En général, jamais nous ne quittons cet endroit mémé, pourquoi se soumettre alors a un entrainement diligent?


This section refers to the legendary contest in the Platform Sutra between the talented and gifted student and the ignorant and inspired kitchen boy , Huineng, who will ultimately receive the transmission and robe.


The knowledgeable student writes...

The body is a Bodhi [Perfect Wisdom] tree,
the mind a standing mirror bright.
At all times polish it diligently,
and let no dust alight.

and Huineng answers:

Bodhi is no tree,
nor is the mind a standing mirror bright.
Since all is originally empty,
where does the dust alight?

Of course, both poems are valid. They complement each other, offering both sides of the same coin.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dogen in Fukan-Zazengi

What is called sitting-zen, sitting-meditation, is not meditation that is learned. It is the Dharma-gate of effortless ease. It is the practice and experience that gets to the bottom of the Buddha's enlightenment. The laws of the Universe are realized, around which there are no nets or cages. To grasp this meaning is to be like a dragon that has found water, or like a tiger before a mountain stronghold. Remember, true reality spontaneously emerges, and darkness and dissipation vanish at a stroke.

---

The clean mirror without a stand, all dust and dirt instantly, effortlessly, utterly swept away. Vanished at a stroke.

Gassho,
Pontus

Thanks Taigu. A wondrous talk. I will always remember your words on bringing nothing (at all) to practice.
Gassho
Myozan

Your talk is much appreciated. Thanks

Hi Taigu,

I listened to this talk several times this morning and one thing came into my mind. Would Hui Neng's poetic response still be valid had not Shen Hsiu wrote the preceding stanza? Or do they rely upon each other for either to be true? If they are codependent, then why did the Patriach choose Hui Neng to be his successor? My only conclusion is that Hui Neng completes the understanding, whereas Shen Hsiu only begins. That it must be the follow through and our continuing to "polish diligently" in order to realize the emptiness Hui Neng speaks of. Am I far off?

Gassho,

Dokan

**Update ** - Published to podcast.

Pretty close. Dokan. And let me point at something...You know, these old stories...Cannot be taken at face value. A lot more metaphorical than historical.
I would say something like this: both guys and both poems exist here and now in you-me-everybody. Both represent an aspect of our practice.

All koans, stories, sutra are happening right here and now.

gassho


Taigu

_/_

many thX taigu

gassho
gilles :D

Gassho Taigu,
thank you
Myoku

Hello Taigu,

thank you for your talk.

All the best and gassho,

Hans Chudo Mongen

_/_

Shohei

Thanks Taigu

Daido

Wonderful! Thank you Taigu!

I especially am happy because you included a simple a beautiful "link" to the Platform sutra, and we are studying it with Yang Hsin.

Have a very nice day,

gassho everyone,
Jinyu

Thank you for this teaching.

Gassho,
Ekai

Listened to the podcast version this morning before zazen. Will listen to it a few more times and just soak in it.

_/|_
Rafael

Thank you Taigu.

Gassho,
Chris

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pinoybuddhist

Listened to the podcast version this morning before zazen.

---

Yay. So glad others are using the podcasts!

Gassho
Dokan

I downloaded all of them yesterday! Thanks a lot! :D

/Pontus

Thanks v much taigu. This talk inspired me to sit and sit more than once each day!

Deep gassho

Ray

Gassho

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Myozan Kodo

Thanks Taigu. A wondrous talk. I will always remember your words on bringing nothing (at all) to practice...

---

Open bowl.

Where can I find Treeleaf's podcasts?

Here Amelia:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/tree ... d417051167


gassho


Taigu

Thank you. I often miss out on talks because of my download speed. Having them on my ipod will be a nice way to pass the time at my sign spinning job.

_/_

Thank you Taigu.

Quote:

---

Sit and be!

---

I find as soon as a space appears in my sitting 'thought' throws itself in...so I must just sit and be, again and again!

Ears, open. Eyeballs, click.

Taigu,

Thank you for this teaching...(Insert cool sounding witty comment here)...no need for that.

Deep bows.

Gassho,
Dosho