93) The Ninety-third Gate; Expedient means
Expedient means are a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with them] we manifest ourselves according to the dignified forms that living beings admire, and we teach and guide [living beings], accomplishing the Dharma of all the buddhas (Nishijima/Cross)
Skillful means is a gate of realizing dharma; it manifests guidance in accordance with the awesome presence viewed by sentient beings, and accomplishes the dharma of all buddhas. (Tanahashi)
Gate Gatha:
May we, together with all buddhas;
Learn to apply Expedient Means
That we may accomplish the Dharma of all the buddhas
B]Reflection Prompts:[/B]
1. How do expedient means help us to manifest ourselves according to the dignified forms that living beings admire?
2. What does accomplishing the Dharma of all the buddhas mean?
3. Write a new Capping Verse.
Capping Verse:
Solid, liquid, gas
Shifting forms
Water serves all needs
gassho, Shokai
stlah
aprapti