The Fortieth of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination; not being foolish.

[Shokai]

40) The Fortieth Gate: not being foolish.

Not being foolish is a gate of Dharma illumination; for it stops the killing of living things.(Nishijima/Cross)

Not being ignorant is a gate of realizing Dharma; it keeps you from killing. (Tanahashi)

Gate Gatha:

May we, together with all buddhas;
Practice avoidance of foolishness,
That we may be free from the killing of living things.

Reflection Prompts:

1. What difference is there between Foolishness and ignorance?

2. How does either lead to killing?

3. Write a new capping verse.

Capping Verse:

Carelessness with life
So foolish
Why act like a fool?

gassho,Shokai
stlah

[Jishin]

1. Foolishness and ignorance can be related but they are not the same thing. Foolishness refers to acting recklessly or without thought, while ignorance refers to a lack of knowledge or understanding.

2. Foolishness can lead to killing through carelessness or lack of consideration for the consequences of one's actions. Ignorance can lead to killing through a lack of understanding of the value of life or the impact of one's actions on other living things.

3. New capping verse:

Foolishness brings harm,
But wisdom brings peace,
With the Dharma as our guide,
Let's protect life, with ease.

Gassho, Jishin, ST, LAH

[Tokan]

Hey again

1. What difference is there between Foolishness and ignorance? Well, some might say foolishness is more temporary than ignorance, or that foolishness is akin to carelessness. Ignorance can often be seen as a refusal to change perspective in the face of overwhelming evidence to negate your position, though it would be foolish to continue to be ignorant! Ignorance can be unknown, as is the case with indoctrination, but I still believe that type of ignorance can be challenged, as it is usually based on a twisted representation of reality (let's not get into Zen debate about reality lol - just our everyday relative reality will do )

2. How does either lead to killing? I have always interpreted any precept or teaching describing 'killing' as meaning killing in the broadest sense. Ignorance leads to atrocity, no more need be said in this week of remembrance. Ignorance leads to racism, which is killing people's opportunity and self-worth, ignorance leads to 'killing' in this way in many other marginalised groups. Foolishness I would still liken to carelessness, for example, it would be foolish for a person with a loving and lovely family to abandon this for a momentary fling, but it happens, and it's foolish. So killing = hurt.

3. Write a new capping verse.

Refusing to wear
shoes that fit
I stumble constantly


Gassho, Tokan

satlah

[Tairin]

Thank you Shokai

1. What difference is there between Foolishness and ignorance?
2. How does either lead to killing?

I really like and agree with Jishin’s answers to these


Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Tai Do]

Thank you, Shokai, for the Fortieth Gate.

1. What difference is there between Foolishness and ignorance?

Jishin said it all!

2. How does either lead to killing?

Foolishness and ignorance can lead to killing in a number of ways: driving recklessly, spreading fake news or gossip, calculating wrong while building something, not developing healthy and hygienic habits, dumping trash in the wilderness, not questioning our prejudices… all can lead to the killing of sentient beings in the literal sense (not to mention the figurative sense that Tokan explained.

3. Write a new capping verse.

Questioning our thoughts, words and actions
Preventing the killing of life
Wisdom and compassion realized


Gassho,
Tai Do (Mateus)
Satlah

[aprapti]

aprapti


sat

[Shokai]

Thank you all for sharing your perspectives;
special mention goes to:

Refusing to wear
Shoes that fit
I stumble constantly

Short and simple says a lot

gassho,shokai
stlah