Originally Posted by
Jundo
There are a couple of sections from the Genjo Koan that touch on this "When the Dharma completely pervades this body and mind, we feel something is lacking." The following is my version, and a comment, from the book I am working on ...
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Buddhas are those with such great understanding of the nature of delusion. Alas, confused beings are those who are greatly deluded about the what and where of enlightenment. Moreover, because life is not a stagnant thing, so a Buddha must continue to realize realization upon realization, while ordinary folks just fall into delusion after delusion.
When you manifest Buddha, it is simply in each Wise and Compassionate thought, word and deed you do in daily life. It is not something fancy and fixed that you have to stick a flag on, make a big show about or hire a marching band to proclaim. It is wondrous, yet quite ordinary. I personally see “Buddha” manifesting all around me, not as Golden Bodies with Shining Halos floating High in the Sky, but in the simple acts of generosity, peace, love, kindness and harmony by ordinary people in this world. Whenever a human being acts in generosity and altruism rather than selfish and excess desire, brings peace where before there was strife, sees though division to the unity of all things, then she is bringing Buddha to life in this world and time, here and now.
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So, when dharma does not truly fill your whole body and mind, you think it is already sufficient and that you can stop. Rather, when dharma fills your body and mind, you understand that there is always something more and so we keep moving forward.
Don't be one of those folks who hits some round, empty purity and calls it “Nirvana”. That would be like a sailor in the open sea, only open water all around, thinking that the whole world were just so and he can stop right there forever. Be wise, and welcome all the complexity and diversity, broken edges and impurities of this world as just that same “round empty purity” in different guise. Welcome all of this life, even the hard parts, as if just various rooms in a mansion, shining pearls on a string, varied flowers in a garden, the moon reflected in endless forms in varied pools of water … and that goes for both the parts of life we love, and those we do not.
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Though there are many features in the dusty world and the world beyond conditions, you see and understand only what your eye of practice can reach. In order to learn the nature of the myriad things, you must know that although they may look round or square, the other features of oceans and mountains are infinite in variety; whole worlds are there. It is so not only around you, but also directly beneath your feet, and in every drop of water. Practice never stops because the features and variety never stop, so practice right here where you come to be.
In this place and setting, in this facet of the whole, your practice brings life to life. This is the stage upon which we dance, the sea in which we swim, the sky where we fly. We are the life of this earth, and like the fish of the water and birds in the sky who bring water and sky to life, and in turn, all this world is our extension, not merely our location. What is more, this is your place, your life right here, and you cannot be elsewhere than where you find yourself so long as alive. Thus, please live it well, and experience this place wisely. The possibilities, if not quite endless, are greatly up to you. Please swim or fly your course or speak your lines or dance your steps with grace and skill.
Gassho, J
STLah
