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Thread: A Reason to review the Gates

  1. #1

    A Reason to review the Gates

    A gate is a point of introduction. If one were to practice the behaviors of the 108 Gates of Dharma Illumination she/he would eventually internalize the virtues and associated outcomes in such a way as to positively influence every being they came in contact with. In essence, they would be actualizing each of their Bodhisatva vows.
    For example, Buddha devoted 45 years of his life teaching/explaining the Dharma in different ways and different words to different people, according to the stage of their development and their capacity to understand and follow him; a concept referred to as 'expedient means.' But the essence of those many thousand discourses scattered in the Buddhist Scriptures is found in the Noble Eightfold Path. Now, it doesn't take much imagination to see how each of the behaviours in the 16 gates that we've reviewed so far, relate to that same Eightfold Path. And for that matter, how they all relate to the Bodhisattva Vows received in the Jukai ceremony to be held again next week=end.
    In reviewing the 108 Gates of Dharma Illumination every year at this time, It is my intention to provide an opportunity for each of us to examine our behaviours with a mind of not only deepening our own practice but, to allow us opportunities to project our very own unique Buddha Natures; that others may see the beauty of the Dharma.

    gassho, Shokai

    stlah
    Last edited by Shokai; 01-07-2018 at 02:56 AM.
    合掌,生開
    gassho, Shokai

    仁道 生開 / Jindo Shokai

    "Open to life in a benevolent way"

    https://sarushinzendo.wordpress.com/

  2. #2
    Member Getchi's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Between Sea and Sky, Australia.
    Than you Shokai

    I personally have benefited from this practice, and look forward to it every year.

    May we all together benefit all beings.


    Gassho,
    Geoff.

    SatToday
    LaH
    Nothing to do? Why not Sit?

  3. #3
    Eishuu
    Guest
    Thanks for explaining a bit more about the gates. I have been enjoying reading them but I have been wondering how to apply them in practice. For example, how does one 'actualize joy'?

    Gassho
    Lucy
    ST/LAH

  4. #4
    I've also enjoyed daily reading the blog. Is this from some book?

    Sat2dAY/LAH

    Kyousui - strong waters 強 水

  5. #5
    Lucy;
    how does one 'actualize joy'?
    Fake it til you make it; Smile !!
    This may sound a bit offish but, in truth it does work.
    Your experience in life is totally virtual and your mind is the controller.
    For a long long time now I have realized that 99% of life is attitude.
    Nothing is ever as bad as you can imagine.
    If these sound like platitudes, I apologize but, it's worked for me for over seventy some years.
    I regard the 'gates' as affirmations that can change your life.

    And Tom, to answer your question, the 108 Gates of dharma Illumunation comprise
    an appendix to the end of book IV in Nishijima Roshi's Translation of Dogen's Shobogenzo.
    Google '!08 Gates of Dharma Illumination' and enjoy

    gassho, Shokai
    合掌,生開
    gassho, Shokai

    仁道 生開 / Jindo Shokai

    "Open to life in a benevolent way"

    https://sarushinzendo.wordpress.com/

  6. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by Lucy View Post
    Thanks for explaining a bit more about the gates. I have been enjoying reading them but I have been wondering how to apply them in practice. For example, how does one 'actualize joy'?

    Gassho
    Lucy
    ST/LAH
    Joy is an expression of play. Let’s play the happy game. Your turn.

    :-)

    Gasho, Jishin, _/st\_

  7. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by Shokai View Post
    And Tom, to answer your question, the 108 Gates of dharma Illumunation comprise
    an appendix to the end of book IV in Nishijima Roshi's Translation of Dogen's Shobogenzo.
    Google '!08 Gates of Dharma Illumination' and enjoy

    gassho, Shokai
    I found the complete book as a pd pdf at http://http://www.thezensite.com/Zen...20complete.pdf

    Kyousui - strong waters 強 水

  8. #8
    Hi Tom;

    That is the site where I got the appendix from but, it doesn't seem to be there anymore. I'll do some checking and get back to you

    gassho, Shokai

    stlah
    合掌,生開
    gassho, Shokai

    仁道 生開 / Jindo Shokai

    "Open to life in a benevolent way"

    https://sarushinzendo.wordpress.com/

  9. #9
    Hi Tom;

    Here it is http://www.thezensite.com/ZenTeachin...genzo_4_NC.pdf

    Appendix III. Ippyakuhachi-hōmyōmon: One Hundred and Eight Gates
    of Dharma Illumination page #343

    I think the link you qoute is for the Shasta Abbey version

    gassho, Shokai
    Last edited by Shokai; 01-08-2018 at 02:01 AM.
    合掌,生開
    gassho, Shokai

    仁道 生開 / Jindo Shokai

    "Open to life in a benevolent way"

    https://sarushinzendo.wordpress.com/

  10. #10
    It’s a great series. As a matter of fact, I believe this same subject came up today in another thread
    https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...925#post216925

    Gassho,
    Hoyu
    ST
    Ho (Dharma)
    Yu (Hot Water)

  11. #11
    Eishuu
    Guest
    Thanks Shokai and Jishin

    Gassho
    Lucy
    ST/LAH

  12. #12
    Member Seishin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Location
    La Croix-Avranchin, Basse Normandie, France
    Thank you for clarifying the source Shokai, I've just started on Volume 1 of the Nishijima/Cross translation, so I'll to iv and the appendix.

    SZIZTM lah


    Seishin

    Sei - Meticulous
    Shin - Heart

  13. #13
    2022, 06, 01, realize I may not have time or ability to review 108 Gates, have selected The Eight Gates of Zen by John Daido Loore, expedient in understanding more, the Eightfold Path I have come to know through The Precepts, have studied closely this fall at Hartford, SD. US. know even after 7+ years granted to Treeleaf Zendo, teacher Jundo Cohen, study the Dharma. I only move as lay member toward Jukai again.
    Gassho
    sat/ lah
    Last edited by Tai Shi; 01-08-2022 at 03:43 PM. Reason: concision
    Peaceful Poet, Tai Shi. Ubasoku; calm, supportive, limited to positive 優婆塞 台 婆

  14. #14
    I have been getting a lot out of these posts, not to mention enjoying them every day. Thank you for the effort, Shokai.

    Gassho,
    Juki

    sat today and lah
    "First you have to give up." Tyler Durden

  15. #15
    Juki; Thanks for the feedback, it helps to know folks are actually using these posts

    gassho, Shokai
    stlah
    合掌,生開
    gassho, Shokai

    仁道 生開 / Jindo Shokai

    "Open to life in a benevolent way"

    https://sarushinzendo.wordpress.com/

  16. #16
    I may not have time or ability to review 108 Gates
    Charles; Remember the adage: "Whether you say you can or you say you can't; you're right !!"

    gassho, Shokai
    stlah
    合掌,生開
    gassho, Shokai

    仁道 生開 / Jindo Shokai

    "Open to life in a benevolent way"

    https://sarushinzendo.wordpress.com/

  17. #17
    This year, I do have the time to review the 108 gates, please notify my email, and I will respond. Thank you Shokai.
    Gassho
    sat/ lah
    Peaceful Poet, Tai Shi. Ubasoku; calm, supportive, limited to positive 優婆塞 台 婆

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