If It Was Good Enough For The Buddhas ...

By Jundo on May 6, 2009 3:00 PM | No Comments

(BENDOWA XXVI)


In the remaining pages of Bendowa, Master Dogen answers a series of 18 questions about the whys and hows of Zazen ...

First, he starts off by saying that Zazen is the gateway to truth, to what the Buddha realized.

Furthermore, Zazen is what all the Buddhas and Ancestors practiced.

So, if it was good enough for all of them, it is probably good enough for us! :-)

But, in fact, did all the Buddhas and Ancestors practice exactly the form of Zazen we practice?

No ...  and Yes ...

_____________________________

Question One & Two:


Now we have heard how high and great is the merit of this zazen. [But] some stupid person might doubtingly ask, "There are many gates to the Buddha-Dharma. Why do you solely recommend sitting in Zazen?"


I say: Because it is the authentic gate to the Buddha-Dharma.


[Someone] asks, "Why do you see it as the only authentic gate?"


I say: Great Master Sakyamuni exactly transmitted, as the authentic tradition, this subtle method of grasping the state of truth, and the tathagatas of the three times [past, present and future] all attained the truth through Zazen. Thus the fact that [Zazen] is the authentic gate has been transmitted and received [from one person to another]. Furthermore, [all the ancestors of Indian and China] all attained the truth through Zazen. Therefore 1am now preaching [Zazen] to human beings and gods as the authentic gate..


From: Bendowa - A Talk about Pursuing the Truth  - Nishijima-Cross [with some amendments according to Uchiyama]





(remember: recording ends soon after the beginning bells;
a sitting time of 20 to 35 minutes is recommended)


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