The Eighty-second of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

82) The Eighty-second Gate: Right Balanced State

Right balanced state is a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with it] we attain undistracted samādhi. (Nishijima/Cross)

Right samadhi is a gate of realizing dharma; it attains undivided concentration. (Tanahashi)

Gate Gatha:

May we, together with all buddhas;
Maintain the Right balanced state
That we may attain un-distracted samādhi

Reflection Prompts:

1. Explain the meanings of undistracted samādhi and undivided concentration?

2. How do Right balanced state and/or Right samadhi hekp us to attain undistracted samādhi and undivided concentration?

3. Weite a new Gate Gatha,

Capping Verse:

Stillness in motion
The practice
Of a spinning top

gassho, Shokai
stlah

p.s. see you on the other side of the time change

[Jishin]

In the Right Balanced State we find
A harmony of heart and mind
Through moderation, we maintain
A balance that will keep us sane

Undistracted samādhi's sought
A stillness that cannot be bought
Concentration, undivided flow
The mind at peace, emotions slow

Right Samadhi's the key to see
The true nature of reality
Through focused practice, we attain
A state where mindfulness remains

May all Buddhas guide us well
Through the Middle Way, we'll quell
The extremes that lead astray
And find the path to liberation's way

With each breath, we strive to be
The stillness in a world of sea
May our practice, like a spinning top
Bring balance to life's eternal crop

Gassho, Jishin, ST, LAH

[aprapti]

aprapti


sat

[Tairin]

Thank you Shokai

1. Explain the meanings of undistracted samādhi and undivided concentration?

The two translations would seem to be equating “undistracted samadhi” with “undivided concentration”. Or basically if we can achieve undivided concentration (which I read as Zazen without the monkey mind) then that would lead to samadhi.

2. How do Right balanced state and/or Right samadhi help us to attain undistracted samādhi and undivided concentration?

By not following our thoughts during Zazen but instead allowing them to rise and allowing them to pass without grabbing hold.

May we, together with all buddhas;
Maintain the undistracted concentration
That we may practice Right Samadhi


Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Tai Do]

Thank you, Shokai!

1. I view undistracted samādhi and undivided concentration as the still point of our true face, the clear blue sky that exists with or without the clouds of thought, the clean mirror that reflects reality.

2. In a balanced state/right samadhi, we don’t cling to the body-mind, to the thoughts and mental formations, to the feelings and sensations. Without judgement, we reflect reality in the mind mirror.

3.
Sitting Zazen and following the precepts,
May we, together with all Buddhas,
Practice right samadhi
And reflect the clear blue sky in the mind’s mirror

Gassho,
Tai Do
Satlah