Berkshires

Test of Faith
Proving its Validity

Sunday, June 28, 2009. As in several mornings of late, as I water the wild bush (name unknown) in my front yard so that the sun will send its photons and dot the branches with tiny, sparkling jewels—like the “seven precious jewels” gracing the Stupa rising into the sky in Chapter 11 of the Lotus Sutra, gold, silver, lapis lazuli, moonstone, agate, pearl and carnelian—I’m imagining conversations with my neighbors , , ,

  fantasizing that someone will walk by and ask, “Why do you spray the top of the bush like that?” to which I reply, “My dad always watered his magnolia tree this way and like him, I’m doing this to express gratitude for all growing things—for life. And wait till you see the many colored jewels in the water drops.”

  This reminds me, as I water the bush, and the peach tree and roses, that I do share moments of celebration with many individuals, thankful for those who enrich life by just being there at times of need without any thought of reward. This is a bit frustrating because I want to give back, repay their generosity, even though I know they don’t expect it.

  It seems so simple – the celebration of life with others. Often I’m reminded of a couple of lines from Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself” – This moment that comes to me out of the past decillions / there’s no greater than it and now.

  Ultimately, one practices teachings of the Buddha only in the moment when in touch with others. The test of faith, proving its validity, is realized as we respond compassionately and spontaneously in the moment, letting go of personal egos, without manipulating or insisting on the acceptance of our points-of-view. . .

  listening, truly listening, being there for others with total acceptance and with “a gentle and forbearing heart,” aware only of the “great compassionate heart” within all living beings; that we are all caused to live by the great, imperishable life-force of the universe. . . Here and now following the Eightfold Path, the “middle way” of right view, speech, action, thought, and endeavor, unaware that we are “practic­ing” anything at all.

  With each new advance in theoretical science, physicists and cosmologists inform us that since the beginning of time, nothing in the universe today, including you and me, could have come into existence had not certain condi­tions caused it:  matter created from primordial energy forming patterns of rela­tion­­ship, matter pre­dom­i­nating over anti-matter, elemental particles reaching out to inter­­connect to form webs of rela­tionship—the list goes on.  Reaching back to the first second in which the universe began to form out of the “big bang”—and note, creating time in the process—funda­mental elements which make up all life in the universe, resulted from these and other related conditions.

  Buddha-thought presents a remarkably similar view.  The central doctrine of the Buddha’s teachings, the Law of Causation, states that all phenomena in the universe are produced by causation.  Thus, all things are interrelated.  From Niwano’s Buddhism for Today:

  Shakyamuni Buddha did not regard this universe as God’s creation or his conquest, but as resulting from the relation of cause and effect by which all phenomena are produced. . . . all things exist in relationship with one another and are interdependent.

  All things and forms in the universe, how we view ourselves as human beings, are produced from one void that can neither be seen with the eyes nor felt with the hands.  There is a great invisible life-force of the universe, the working of which produces all things from the void, and all things are produced by virtue of the necessity of their existence.  Humanity is no exception.  We ourselves are brought into being in the forms we take by virtue of the necessity to live in this world.  Think­ing this way, we are bound to feel the worth of being alive as human beings, the wonder of having been brought into this world.

  Buddhism asks, “Is there something which is unchanging and eternal?”  The Lotus Sutra defines this “some­thing” as life itself, the desire to live, originating from primordial energy at the beginning of time—the great life-force of the universe caus­ing every­thing to live.  Primordial energy did not create the universe.  It simply is; it caused the universe to come into existence.  Buddha is not god or creator, but the appearing Buddha, Shakyamuni’s enlightenment that we are all one substance with “Original Buddha”—one substance with nothing other than the great life-force which caused everything to live from the moment of the “big bang” leading to the emergence of humankind.

  Timothy Ferris in his New York Times article, “Beyond Newton and Einstein,” points out that “new theories of physics imply that all the known forces in nature are manifestations of one basic interaction and that once, long ago, all were part of a single universal force or process.”  Physicist Fritjof Capra, as he introduces discoveries in quantum physics in his book The Turning Point,” reminds us that as quantum physics came into play, “the universe is no longer seen as a machine  made up of a multitude of objects but has to be pictured as one indivisi­ble, dynamic whole whose parts essentially are interrelated and can be under­stood only as patterns of a cosmic process.”

  No matter how the universal force or pattern of cosmic process may be defined by physicists, the universe does exist and humanity did emerge from this process after billions of years.  “Mahayana (great vehicle) Buddhism sees all exis­tence as supremely sacred.  It needs no other-worldly validation of this sanctity—no God on High; and, most important of all, it sees the plain and mundane things of daily existence—when viewed from the right perspective—as sanctified as the loftiest ideals.  In short, in this enlightened awareness we can all see the marvelous wonder of our universe, blemishes and all, and find our home and comfort in a cosmos that is magically a part of us, and us a part of it.  This interpenetration of the individual in the universe is what Buddhism is really all about.  This is Buddhism’s scope and majesty.”

The Way Through

Shakyamuni Buddha

in the Lotus Sutra

I, by my power of wisdom,
knowing the natures and inclinations of creatures,
tactfully proclaim the laws
which cause all to obtain gladness.

Know, Shariputra!
I, observing with the Buddha’s eyes,
see the creatures in the six states of existence,
poor and without happiness and wisdom,
in the dangerous path of mortality,
in continuous unending misery,
firmly fettered by the five desires
like the yak caring for its tail,
smothered by greed and infatuation,
blinded and seeing nothing;
they seek not the Buddha, the mighty,
and the Law to end sufferings,
but deeply fall into heresies,
and seek by suffering to be rid of suffering.

For the sake of all these creatures,
my heart is stirred with great pity.

When I first sat on the wisdom throne,
looking at that tree and walking about it
during thrice seven days,
I pondered such matters as these;
The wisdom which I have obtained
is wonderful and supreme.
But all creatures are dull in their capacities,
pleasure-attached and blind with ignorance.
Such classes of beings as these, I saw
how can they be saved?

  How indeed? The power to be “saved” –  and with universal compassion, to help liberate others, rests within each of us. This power is not given by some god on high. It rests within. It is to begin now, this  moment. It is to follow the same path as the Buddha. It is the reason we were born as human beings in the first place.

A shooting star

on a night not spent at Larry’s Bar

Individuals seeking occult knowledge

 read an ancient scroll which illumines their minds

  Integration of one’s individual, personal destiny (Sun position) with activities beyond the personal (Pluto position) is found in the transit of the north node of the Moon (where the Moon’s orbit around the earth intersects the ecliptic plane of the Earth in its orbit around the Sun). In other words, symbols for the Moon’s north node offer a key to this integration, reaching beyond the strictly personal to participate with others as we fulfill our destiny.

  Currently (December, 2015) the north node of the Moon is transiting 28°02 Virgo, 29° Virgo in the Astrological Mandala – Individuals seeking occult knowledge read an ancient scroll which illumines their minds.

  March 23, 1978—opting to return home alone from the Encore movie theatre on Melrose Avenue, choosing not to follow the usual routine slinging down a few (or several) beers at Larry’s Bar across the street to score a hook-up.

  Home is an apartment in a ghoul­ish 1920s building where Valentino once resided (the owner succeeded in getting the street renamed, “Valen­tino Place”). It’s close to Paramount Studio’s main gate through which Norma Desmond/Gloria Swanson makes her grand entrance in “Sunset Boulevard.”

  After kneeling in front of the Mandala (Gohonzon), briefly chanting a few “devotions to the Lotus Sutra,” I head up the winding staircase with its iron-wrought railing leading to a second floor dormer. Time now for some “Moon  viewing.” Knowing the Moon is bright and close to full (a “gibbous Moon”), I gaze at it through a high dormer window.

  The Moon is bright in a clear night sky. Suddenly a shooting star crosses to the right of the Moon!. It’s 10:35:04, calling my attention, in the astrological scheme of things, to the symbol in Rudhyar’s Mandala for the Moon’s position, 29° Virgo:

  Individuals seeking occult knowledge are reading an ancient scroll which illumines their minds. Realigning one’s self. Rudhyar:  In occultism the “Pattern of Humankind” is an arche­typical Power that may be contacted. It must be sought out with undeviat­ing determination to “reach the other shore.”

  So much for beer slinging this night—back to chanting in front of the “ancient scroll”!

The “Salvation” of the Buddha

  In Chapter 3’s parable, for his many children who refuse to come out of the burning house, the father doesn’t offer sack cloth and ashes, nor great sacrifices for them to be saved, but a distinctly different kind of salvation. The children in the burning house do not apprehend nor perceive, nor are they even aware of the suffering that will accrue by remaining in the burning house; neither alarmed nor afraid that their “greed for gain” will never be satisfied. Nor are they distressed that they are in danger of separating themselves from loved ones, “never seeking to escape but in the burning house of the triple world running about thither and thither, and although they will meet with great suffering, count it not a cause for anxiety.”

  How then shall father save them? How shall he motivate them to escape? He offers them splendid bejeweled carts for them to play with, promising far greater rewards than are ever to be found in the burning house.

  How different this “salvation” is from other religious teachings in today’s world. In the parable, the father easily could round all his children up in a cage and drag them unwillingly from the burning house, insisting on rigid obedience, and that they blindly follow his precepts if they wish to be saved. Rather he uses the tactful method of promising pleasures far exceeding what’s to be found in the burning house, if only they will come out.

  The Buddha asks Shariputra if this method is deceitful, if the elder in giving great carts of precious substances to his children equally, has been somewhat guilty of falsehood? Shariputra answers with a resounding NO! – recalling the impact his answer had when I first read it.

  “No, World-honored One! that elder only caused his children to escape the disaster of fire and preserved their bodies alive—he committed no falsity. Why? He has in such a manner preserved their bodies and also they have obtained those playthings; how much more by tactful means has he saved them from that burning house! World-honored One! even if that elder did not give them one of the smallest carts, still he is not false. . . That elder from the first formed this intention: I will by tactful means cause my children to escape.’ For this reason he is not false. How much less seeing that this elder, knowing his own boundless wealth and desiring to benefit his children, gives them great carts equally!”

  The Buddha replies, "Good! Good! it is even as you say. Shariputra! the Tathagata is also like this, for he is the father of all worlds, who has forever entirely ended all fear, despondency, distress, ignorance, and umbrageous darkness and has perfected boundless knowledge, powers, and fearlessness; is possessed of great spiritual power and wisdom; has completely attained the paramitas of tactfulness and wisdom; who is the greatly merciful and greatly compassionate, ever tireless, ever seeking the good, and benefiting all beings. And he is born in this triple world, the old decayed burning house, to save all living creatures from the fires of birth, old age, disease, death, grief, suffering, foolishness, darkness, and the three poisons, and teaches them to obtain Perfect Enlightenment.

  The Buddha doesn’t force the children to come out of the burning house, he motivates them to come out of their own free will—not to depend upon gods or enlightened ones to deliver them. Salvation is achieved through self-motivation and personal practice, and the ultimate goal of such practice is to go beyond the little self—the ego (in the parable, the one door open for escape), and become obedient only to the universal truth, one with the great life-force of the universe. Faith comes from the power within—our own will and effort taking refuge in that absolute power that causes us to live.

Discarding ego-centered actions

  His house is spacious and large, having only one door – later described as only one narrow, small gate, symbolizing how difficult it is to escape a dominating egoistic self. Discarding the ego, releasing it, is the great revolution of mind and heart. Paraphrasing Nikkyo Niwano: “The first stage of releasing the illusory power of the ego is awakening to the simple truth that human suffering is brought about by collection of greeds and wants—desires, all graphically described in the parable. But this is not enough.

  “At the second stage, we realize that in accordance with the Law of Causation, all that we so urgently desire and are attached to is a temporary appearance brought about by coming together of primary and secondary causes. The origin of these desires is ignorance, a basic misapprehension that the flesh is oneself. What we cling to has no real substance. Realizing this, automatically removes us from self-centered thinking and suffering.”

  The Buddha describes the treasures received by the children for coming out of the house for the sake of the goat and deer carts—although he has surprised them by giving all of them the great bullock cart:

  “If there are living beings who, following the Buddha, the World-honored One, hear the Law, receive it in faith, diligently practice, and zealously advance, seeking the complete wisdom, the wisdom of the Buddha, the natural wisdom, the wisdom without a teacher, and the knowledge, powers, and fearlessness of the Tathagata, who take pity on and comfort innumerable creatures, benefit gods and living beings, and save all beings, these will have the vehicle named the Great-vehicle. Because the bodhisattvas seek the vehicle, they are named mahasattvas. They are like those children who come out of the burning house for the sake of a bullock cart.”

from Chapter 3, A Parable:

  “Shariputra! just as that elder seeing his children get out of the burning house safely to a place free from fear, and pondering on his immeasurable wealth, gives each of his children a great cart, so also is it with the Tathagata. Being the father of all living creatures, if he sees infinite thousands of countless creatures by the teaching of the Buddha escape from the suffering of the triple world, from fearful and perilous paths, and gain the joys of nirvana, the Tathagata then reflects thus: ‘I possess infinite, boundless wisdom, power, fearlessness, and other law-treasuries of buddhas.

  “’All these living creatures are my sons and daughters to whom I will equally give the Great-vehicle, so that there will be no one who will gain nirvana alone but all gain nirvana by the same nirvana as the Tathagata. All these living creatures who escape the triple world are given the playthings of enlightened ones, the buddhas—concentrations, emancipations, and other playthings, all of one form and one kind, praised by sages and able to produce pure, supreme pleasure.’

  “Shariputra! even as that elder at first attracted his children by the three carts and afterward gave them only a great cart magnificently adorned with precious things and supremely restful, yet that elder is not guilty of falsehood, so also is it with the Tathagata; there is no falsehood in first preaching three vehicles to attract all living creatures and afterward saving by the Great-vehicle only. Wherefore? Because the Tathagata possesses infinite wisdom, power, fearlessness, and the treasury of the laws and is able to give all living creatures the Great-Buddha-vehicle, but not all are able to receive it. Shariputra! for this reason know that the enlightened ones, by their tactful powers, in the One Buddha-vehicle discriminate and expound the three.” / / /

  This, the first of seven parables of the Lotus Sutra, is a significant one, for it explains the value of practicing in the realms of the three vehicles—learning, becoming self-enlightened, reaching toward the world of the universally compassionate ones. However, the ultimate reward for escaping from distresses of the burning house is the attainment of absolute awareness—peace of mind even in the midst of illusion and suffering—ultimately, Perfect Enlightenment; to realize that since all living beings, including human beings, are manifestations of the great life-force of the universe, all are equal in terms of the fundamental value of their existence.

  Thus a sense of unity arises—all equally may partake of the great life-force of the universe which causes us to live. When one has come this far, the self vanishes.

  The Buddha desired that all equally attain that which he possesses—infinite wisdom, power, fearlessness, and the treasury of the law. These, he proclaims are accessible to everyone.

  From Zen Master Hui-neng: This remarkable doctrine of self-salvation centers on the identity of one's own nature with the Buddha. It is the Buddha (or the Tathagata) in the minds of the aspirants who save themselves. From this insight a charity and a morality arise, because the individual and the totality are one ecological organism, mutually dependent.

The Nature of

Promises Made in Past Lives

Mars at 9° Libra

Three “Old Masters” hanging on the wall

of an art gallery’s special room

  The need to return to source during any confused search in a chaotic society, regrounding ourselves in great achievements of the past, returning to source to reindentify ourselves with these achievements as inspirations for new beginnings.

  The seeds of tomorrow salute the seeds of yesteryear.

  Mars cycles – doing, causes we make—acts, for which we are personally responsible, gaining new perspectives, transforming the way we think and act.

  A few words about recent posts, “Promises Made in Past Lives” – have nothing to do with me personally. They prove not a jot about “who I am.” As the Buddha advised Ananda, “Make yourself the light.” These are perceptions, discoveries that came to that guy called Dana years ago when his in-depth study of Dane Rudhyar’s Humanistic-Transpersonal Astrology found remarkable resonance with an in-depth study and practice of the teachings of the Buddha. It has taken this individual many, many years to realize how much these discoveries have become part of his heart, mind, and soul. Recent Full Moon at 3°37’  Gemini, and today’s Mars transit, were startling reminders, instilled within the very fabric of what I desire my life, thinking, “doing” to be, and to become.

  “The Bodhisattva practice is  not to cut off binding and driving, nor to abide in the ocean of driving. In meditating on one’s mind, there is no mind one can seize, except the mind that comes for one’s distorted thought attached to appearances. The “mind” presenting such a form rises from one’s false imagination like the wind in the sky that has no foothold. Such a form of the law neither appears nor disappears.

  “What is sin? What is blessedness? As one’s own mind is void of itself, sin and blessedness have no existence. In like manner all the laws are neither fixed nor going toward destruction. The Law also does not dwell  in the Law. [it dwells in life itself]

  “All the laws are emancipation, the truth of extinction, and quiescence. Such an aspect is called the great repentance, the greatly adorned repentance, the repentance of the non-sin aspect, and the destruction of discrimination.

  “Those who practice this repentance have the purity of body and mind not fixed in the law, but free as flowing water.”

  It is time for all of us to celebrate civilization’s great achievements, past and present, a need to return to source during a confused search in a chaotic society.

  As Jim Morrison hoped (and sadly never found) – to “break on through to the other side.”

Touching upon the Inexplicable

“The aspect of the Buddha Way is like this,

it is pure, boundless, and unthinkable”

Wednesday’s Full Moon

at 3°20’ Gemini

  For those of you who have read or will read recent post at Ancestral Well, “Daily Attention to The Five Realms of Human Destiny,” we offer the “inexplicable,” as we consider this Wednesday’s Full Moon at 3°20’ Gemini – “The Holly and the Mistletoe awaken old memories of Christmas.”

From recent post: Giving daily attention to The Five Realms of Human Destiny:

Recognizing Intent – 3°37’ Gemini – The Holly and Mistletoe awaken old memories of Christmas: an emotional search for pre-intellectual state of consciousness. Holly’s magical and brilliant primary colors contrasted in red and green as in Tibetan art and green in mistletoe used in ancient Druid rituals

Nostalgia for more natural and feeling-oriented values, resurgence of deeper values and aspirations, return to source, contact with archetypes.

Moon over Stonehenge

Daily Attention to

The Five Realms of Human Destiny

Intention 10° Capricorn – An albatross feeding from the hand of a sailor.

Continuing – 22° Pisces – Bringing peak experiences, inner revelations “down from the mountain” into the real world to share with others.

Recognizing – 4° Gemini – The Holly and Mistletoe awaken old memories of Christmas.

Participating – 16° Leo – The storm ended, all nature rejoices in brilliant sunshine.

Constructing – 28° Libra – Becoming aware of unseen spiritual forces, assisting and surrounding one.

Intention  communion of love and compassion brings together disparate lives.

Every living entity plays a role in the world’s ritual of existence.

Continuing  sharing with others, here and now, inner revelations.

Recognizing  emotional search for pre-intellectual state of consciousness. Holly’s magical and brilliant primary colors contrasted in red and green as in Tibetan art and green in mistletoe used in ancient Druid rituals, nostalgia for more natural and feeling-oriented values, resurgence of deeper values and aspirations, return to source, contact with archetypes.

Participating joy and power of new beginnings.

Constructing  realization one is never alone, communities visible and invisible sustain one’s efforts producing state of inner assurance, rejecting the one heresy – the dark path of ego isolation.

  The Five Realms of Human Destiny derive from Dane Rudhyar’s Astrological Mandala, although Rudhyar did not propose them. They were made clear to me one rather extraordinary morning on December 5, 1977 after a long period of chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge Kyo (devotion to the Lotus Sutra), and discovering in a moment twenty-two hours after I was born at full Moon, thus degree points are certain and exact, as degrees at birth moment are not—we can’t be sure of the exact moment of “first breath.” I call this moment of full moon after birth moment, “Promises Made in Past Lives” to fulfill destiny. The “Realms” are a 5 division, 72° each of the Tropical Zodiac.

  In Buddhism’s “ten worlds” the fifth world is the world of Humanity. Also, the “five roots” possessed by those who seek enlightenment are “”Faith” (Original Intent), “Zealous Progress” (Continuing), “Memory” (Recognizing), “Meditation” (Participation), and “Wisdom” (Constructing).

  I now view these Five Realms of Human Destiny quite beyond the personal, and see them as a daily guide for all of us—what might be called “mindfulness of intent”—as one fulfills one’s destiny in life’s experience. 

The Buddha’s Enlightenment,

Our Enlightenment in Today’s World

  Siddhartha, when he “came forth from the Palace of the Shakya clan, sitting at the training place of enlightenment not far from the city of Bodh Gaya” attained Perfect Enlightenment. Forty years later, preaching the Lotus Sutra, he asks, “how shall I cause all the living to enter the same way along with me and attain Perfect Enlightenment?”

  The story of Siddhartha attaining Perfect Enlightenment is a powerful guide to follow to attain that goal, for the Buddha and his teachings are with us now—here in the Lotus Sutra, as is the Buddha’s presence—not in some heavenly abode, but within us as the all-pervading life-force, the universal, eternal energy, causing everything to live. In today’s world, Perfect Enlightenment may be attained by those who celebrate this cause to live—life itself, and for  those with longing hearts who aspire to attain it, and the time is now.

From Shakyamuni Buddha, a Narrative Biography by Nikkyo Niwano:

  Although there is no way of determining the date now, according to Chinese and Japanese Buddhist tradition it was on the morning of December 8, just as the morning star appeared in the sky [this would be the planet Venus, also currently transiting, as morning star, or “giver of light”], when Siddhartha’s mind was as clear as the breaking day, that he at last attained Perfect Enlightenment. From that time on his ability to look at all things was different from that of ordinary people. He was able to perceive clearly the real state of all things, unhindered by superficial phenomena. He had gained the eyes of an enlightened one—of a buddha.

  Upon attaining enlightenment he said, “Wonderful! Wonderful! All living beings possess the wisdom and the virtuous sign of the Tathagata [the highest epithet of a buddha], but they do not realize this because of their attachment to desires and illusions.” / / / /

  In the film, “Little Buddha” the following exchange between Siddhartha and the mirror image of himself in the form of Mara, the evil one who has tempted Siddhartha, and has failed. Mara emerges from the mire and clutches Siddhartha’s arm:

MARA: You who will go where no one else has gone, will you be my guide?

SIDDHARTHA: Architect.

MARA: But you are my house, and you dwell in me.

SIDDHARTHA: Oh, Lord of my own Ego, you do not exist, you are pure illusion. The earth is my witness.

The face of Mara changes back to the evil one. He slowly vanishes.

 Lama Norbu describes the nature of Siddhartha’s enlightenment, dispelling all illusions, seeing beyond himself, no judgments, realizing there is no salvation without having compassion for all living beings . . . “and from that moment on, Siddhartha was called the Buddha, the Enlightened One.”

Niwano continues:

  When Shakyamuni looked on the world through the eyes of a buddha, he noticed that everything appeared completely changed. Animals, plants, and human beings all seemed bathed in such glory and brilliance that it was as if they were pervaded by the same life as the Buddha. His spontaneous “Wonderful! Wonderful!” was uttered out of his great joy at discovering the real state of all existence, immediately observing that the cause of all living beings suffering derived from their attachment to desires and illusions. / / / /

  Begin each day in meditation which instills the presence of the Buddha in your heart and mind, and causes you to exclaim “Wonderful! Wonderful! Namas Buddha!” In my world today, this is attained, more and more consistently as I connect with the Threefold Lotus Sutra, stories of the Buddha’s life and his teachings, his “former lives” and the struggles of his disciples to attain the same way along with him to attain the Buddha-way. “For this one Great Cause” all enlightened ones appear in the world.

Loire Valley

All life is sacred

  ”Great vehicle teachings (Mahayana) see all existence as supremely sacred, it needs no other-worldly injunction to validate this sanctity, no God on High; and most important of all, it sees the plain and mundane things of daily existence—when viewed from the right perspective—as sanctified as the loftiest ideals. In short, in this enlightened awareness, we can all see the marvelous wonder of our universe, blemishes and all, and find our home and comfort in a cosmos that is magically a part of us, and us a part of it. This interpenetration of the individual in the universe is what the teachings of the Buddha are all about—this is their scope and majesty.” – from Hui-neng’s Enlightenment, Here and Now.

  This article in Rissho Kosei-kai’s “Dharma World,” 1982, was found in 1990 when I was a member of  Rissho Kosei-kai in Los Angeles, a layperson’s organization devoted to the Lotus Sutra which informs their practice. It tells the story of the 7^th Century Chinese Zen Patriarch, Hui-neng.

  In the light of the chaos and fractured conditions in our current political climate, and throughout the world, it might be good to bring this to mind again as a defense against allowing such conditions to inflict their pain on us. Individually, we have the potential to instill this simple truth in our hearts and minds and act upon it, finding our home  and comfort as we discover the marvelous wonder of the universe within each moment and know unquestionably that all life is indeed sacred.

  What a revolution this would be! – to transform our thinking and actions imbued with this simple truth.

Equally along with me . . .

  The Buddha in the Lotus Sutra offers many instances for “following the Buddha-way.” His desire is to fulfill a vow made long ago:

Long ago I made a vow,
wishing to cause all creatures
to rank equally without difference with me.
According to the vow I made of old,
now all has been perfectly fulfilled
for converting all living beings
and leading them to enter the Buddha-way.
Whenever I meet any creatures
I teach them all by the Buddha-way.
The unwitting remain confused
and going astray, never accept my teaching.

  Following the path of the Buddha is quite simple. It’s not to stand outside his offerings of mindfulness, but to instill them within our hearts and minds and practice them. Here, a stunning example resonating to our lives in today’s world:

  With one transcendent voice I proclaim this meaning, constantly taking the Great-vehicle as my subject. I look upon all living beings everywhere with equal eyes, without distinction of persons, or mind of love or hate. I have no predilections nor limitations nor partiality; ever to all beings I preach the Law equally; as to one person, so to all. Constantly I proclaim the Law, never occupied with aught else; going or coming, sitting or standing, I never weary of pouring it abundantly upon the world, like the rain enriching universally. Honored and humble, high and low, law-keepers and law-breakers, those of perfect character and those of imperfect, orthodox and heterodox, quick-witted and dull-witted, with equal mind I rain the rain of the Law unwearyingly.

Facing Face Book

  Monday morning meditation with the Lotus Sutra, reading the following verses from Chapter 1, Introductory, suddenly struck with the thought – this is what I search for when I go to Face Book news feed each day, and what I desire to discover there; also my own intent in posting. These verses display the wonders that accrue from following the Buddha-way. I wanted to share them with you, although they’re quite lengthy. I hope you’ll contemplate them and more hopefully, that you’ll “make the connection.”

  We all have the potential for casting light into the lives of others, “to participate in our day and age with renewed effect. In doing so, we might assist in reviving vigor and hope in a troubled world. This was the Buddha’s intention, this is our duty here and now.” (Zen Master Hui-neng)

The ray between his brows illuminates the eastern quarter
of the eighteen thousand lands, coloring them all with gold. . . .

I see them all from here,
I see also the buddhas,
the holy masters, fearless in teaching the Law, the lions,
expounding the sutra,
mystic and supreme;
their voices clear and pure
send forth softly, sounding tones,
teaching the bodhisattvas
in numberless countless myriads;
their sacred voices, deep and mystic,
cause living beings to rejoice in hearing;
each in their own world,
proclaiming the good Law
by various reasonings
and innumerable illustrations,
reveal the Buddha-law
and open the understanding of all creatures. . . .

Again I see bodhisattvas
profound in wisdom, firm in will,
able to question the enlightened ones
and receive and retain all they hear;
and I see buddha-sons and daughters
perfect in meditation and wisdom
with innumerable illustrations
proclaiming the Law for the multitude,
cheerfully and gladly preaching the Law
to transform the bodhisattvas . . .

I see also bodhisattvas calm in perfect meditation,
who, though honored by gods and dragons, count it not a joy.
Again I see bodhisattvas, who, dwelling in forests,
emit radiance that saves the sufferers
and causes them to enter the Buddha-way. . . .

I see also bodhisattvas who seek association with the wise,
and with all their mind get rid of distraction.

Moreover, there are bodhisattvas who preach the Law of tranquility,
teaching in various ways the numberless living beings.
Also I see bodhisattvas who observe that the nature of all laws
is not in opposing forms, but like space.

Again I see Buddha sons and daughters with minds free from attachments,
by this mystic wisdom seeking after the supreme Way.

Mañjushri!

All the Buddha sons and daughters

for worshiping the relics so splendidly adorn the stupas

that all the domains are thereby made extraordinarily wonderful and fine,

like the king of celestial trees in full bloom.
The Buddha sends forth but a single ray
and I with all the assembly see that these domains
are extraordinarily wonderful.
Rare are the divine powers and wisdom of the enlightened ones;
sending forth a single pure ray,
they illuminate innumerable domains.

We, beholding this, attain that which has never been before.

The Buddha shows us all the buddha-lands
ornate and pure with precious things,
and we see the buddhas there;
this is not for any trivial reason. . . .

The Visitor

Shakyamuni Buddha, the Original Buddha

and the great life-force causing us to  live

  “The Divine Power of the Tathagata” – Chapter 21, the Lotus Sutra: one of my favorite chapters in the sutra, the verse section beginning with: All the buddhas saviors of the world, dwelling in mighty divine penetration, in order to save all creatures, reveal their infinite powers divine. . . I remember the time I was memorizing this verse section in 1984, standing in the small, elevated kitchen, in our single apartment, Martin Kain and I, in West Hollywood. (Martin was quite tolerant of my verbal “celebrations” although he would have none of it . . . except later, totally turned on by the parable of the man who saves his sons from the burning house in Chapter 3.

  Nikkyo Niwano in his “Guide to the Threefold Lotus Sutra” begins his interpretation of the “divine powers” with: “Here the mysterious powers of Shakyamuni Buddha and multitudes of other buddhas [perfectly enlightened ones] are displayed, and the point is powerfully made and impressed upon the assembled hearers that though until now the preaching in the Lotus Sutra has been various, there is just one single truth. . .

  “. . . at first Shakyamuni had appeared in the suffering world, and as an enlightened one inhabiting that world, taught a derived or apparent truth to guide human conduct. People had looked up to  him and had worshiped him with heartfelt devotion.

  “But then he taught the full original truth that he was the Eternal Buddha, which is to say, the great life-force of the universe, and true deliverance rested in firm awareness that this Original Buddha without beginning or end was the life-giving energy. . .”

  Thus it is in today’s world, here and now, in this and every moment, we may feel and become aware of the Buddha’s existence in our lives, every moment that we celebrate the life-force, the energy that exists eternally, causing us to live . . . without compromise, celebrating life in all of its manifestations.

Banishing fear and insecurity

The subtle truth of the Buddha’s Teachings

  “Some people live closely guarded lives, fearful of encountering someone or something that might shatter their insecure spiritual foundation. This attitude however is not the fault of religion but of their own limited understanding. The true Laws of Existence (Dharma) lead in exactly the opposite direction. It enables one to integrate all the many diverse experiences of life into a meaningful and coherent whole, thereby banishing fear and insecurity completely.  – Lama Thubtem Yeshe, Wisdom Energy.

  Unfortunately in today’s world, more than enough religions do nothing but harbor fear, condemning their followers to live closely guarded lives, to set themselves apart from others. Ignorance is at the root cause of this “holier-than-thou” phenomenon.

  An awareness of the “true Laws of Existence” can lead us in the opposite direction to arrive at a place where we “integrate all the many diverse experiences of life” and through this “mindfulness” learn to celebrate life in each moment dispelling compassionately all discriminations and judgments which separate us from others, fear and insecurity banished forever.

  One must have a “longing heart” to seek and find this mindfulness for themselves. One must learn to think holistically. The Buddha in The Threefold Lotus Sutra: I behold all living creatures sunk in the sea of suffering hence I do not reveal myself but set them all aspiring, till, when their hearts are longing, I appear to preach the law.

  In our  world today, “The Buddha appearing to preach the law,” simply means our acceptance of the great pervading  and eternal life-force existing in all our lives causes everything and everyone to live—realizing that an intuitive method of spiritual training aims first of all, at discovering a reality in the innermost recesses of the human mind—a reality that is the fundamental unity pervading all the differences and particulars of the world. In the teachings of the Buddha, this reality is called simply, Mind, or “buddha-nature” pervading all differences and particulars.

  When I first connected with teachings of the Buddha in 1976, I had not the slightest knowledge of these things. The connection was with an intensive “spiritual practice” with an even more intense community (many of them close friends) which lit a fire under us each day if we wanted to belong and continue the practice.

  In my ignorance however, I experienced in life an instinctive realization that I was part of a community – not just the group’s community, but in touch somehow with all those who came into my world.

  Most notably, only a day or two after beginning to practice, driving the deadening Interstate 5 to San Francisco, with the sudden realization that everyone on the road with me were “going somewhere,” that we were all part of a community, the strain of competing, trying to be “first” vanished.  Impatience? vanished. Strain? vanished.

“till when their hearts are longing”

“Wonder is the beginning of wisdom” – Socrates

  “One never hears without opening one’s mind . . ." first step traveling the path toward attaining enlightenment – the wonder, desire, and a longing heart for wisdom.

  A seeking mind in the mind of a four-year-old girl – daughter of a friend who has  learned to read before entering pre-pre-school, once a bit of a rebel, and perhaps even “difficult” at times. Now she’s the only one in her pre-school group who can read. Could it be that even in her earlier years, her somewhat off-center behavior (not all that serious, actually) marked a seeking, open heart to discover “what’s out  there” in life. No matter what one’s age, it’s possible to begin on such a path.

  Shakyamuni didn’t hesitate to make this declaration, found in the Lotus Sutra: “I behold all living creatures sunk in the sea of suffering, hence I do not reveal myself but set them all aspiring, till when their hearts are longing, I appear to preach the law. . .  desiring to cause all living beings to attain the same way along with me.”

  “We beholding this attain that which we have never been before . . .”

Compassion in Public Life

If one listens, really listens and comprehends, one might see the wisdom of these words of the Dalai Lama – and question which of the presidential candidates are listening and following this advice. My vote is for President Obama who from the beginning has been, in his hopes, dreams and actions, motivated by compassion. – 2012

From Opening the Eye of New Awareness – His Holiness, the Dalai Lama:

“For any activity related to human society, compassion and love are vital; whether one is a politician, businessperson, scientist, engineer, or anything else. If such people carry out their professional work with a good motivation, that work becomes an instrument for human benefit. On the other hand, if people work at their profession out of selfishness or anger, the profession becomes distorted. Instead of bringing benefit for humankind, the knowledge gained in the profession brings disaster. Compassion is essential.”

Adding here, some of the words of the Dalai Lama resting at my meditation center:

“. . . real compassion is without attachment. Pay attention to this point, which goes against our habitual ways of thinking.  It is not this or that particular case that stirs our pity. We don’t give our compassion to such and such a person by choice. We give it spontaneously, entirely, without hoping for anything in exchange. And we give it universally.”

Offerings of the Teacher

Shakyamuni Buddha

♦ Seal of the Three laws  ♦ The Four Noble Truths 

♦ Eightfold path  ♦ Six paramitas

Seal of the Three Laws

All things are impermanent – following natural direction of human life, advancing toward realization that we are one substance with the Buddha – the great life force of the universe, the one thing unchangeable and permanent in this world—the cause to live.

Nothing has an ego – without exception all things, all existences are related to one another. Nothing leads to an isolated existence. Everything is permeated by the same life-energy. We cannot live our lives alone.

Nirvana is quiescence – The quiet stage in which we cling to nothing, extinguishing all illusions.

It may be difficult for us to realize these three great truths. To do so it is necessary to practice them and endeavor to realize them in daily life; to practice the Eightfold Path of the bodhisattva in mind, body, and actions; take notice of the Truth of the Path in the Forth Noble Truths—the Eightfold Path.

The Four Noble Truths

The Truth of Suffering – all things in this world are comprised of suffering for those who do not reach beyond personal ego on a path to enlightened thinking and awareness—in doctrinal terms, to reach toward the Buddha-way, Buddha mind, Buddha thought. Human life is filled with spiritual, physical, economic, and other forms of suffering. To acknowledge the real conditions of suffering and see them through without avoiding them or meeting them only half-way—this is the truth of suffering.

The Truth of the Cause of Suffering – to reflect on those causes which produce human suffering, investigate them and understanding them clearly.

The Truth of Extinction of Suffering – the state of absolute quietude wherein all sufferings of life are extinguished. The state of mind which is attained only by awakening to the great truths Shakyamuni Buddha has taught in The Seal of the Three  Laws: All things are impermanent, Northing has an ego, and Nirvana is quiescence.

The Truth of the Path – method of practice for extinguishing sufferings—the Eightfold Path and the Six Perfections of the Bodhisattva Way

The Eightfold Path

the “right way” of conduct,

following the middle way beyond extremes

Right View – abandon self-centered way of looking at things based on the Buddha’s wisdom which discerns and understands the principle of the Reality of All Existence.

Right Thinking – not to incline toward a self-centered attitude but to think of things from a higher standpoint.

Right Speech – avoiding words which cause others suffering.

Right Action – daily conduct in accordance with mindfulness of the Buddha’s teachings.

Right Living – Not to make our living in work which causes trouble for others.

Right Endeavor – an extension of Right Living—harmony as the basis  for human society and communities, celebrating, depending upon it, and endeavoring to realize it.

Memory – gaining the same mind as the Buddha. We cannot say we have the same mind as the Buddha unless we address ourselves to all things in the universe with a fair and right mind. [note: also seeing “Memory” as keeping the teachings in mind through memorizing, copying, studying the Lotus Sutra, very much resonating with   Meditation.]

Meditation – not to be agitated by any change of circumstances, thus leading to practicing consistently the “right” teachings of the Buddha.

The Six Paramitas,

Perfections of the Bodhisattvas

Donation – to be open to and to perceive the needs of others, practicing
“nothing has an ego.” Helping others according to their needs – not one’s own.

Keeping the precepts – to release the personal ego. keeping the mind at peace day
and night, and always in meditation, contemplating the Buddha-way, Buddha-
thought, rendering service to others, removing arrogance.

Perseverance – ego-free generosity, sustaining attitude of compassion.

Assiduity – to intend, not distracted by trivial things (this is sure a rough one to
follow!) – to advance single-mindedly.

Meditation – remembering who we are as gestures of the great perfection,
contemplating the true aspect of all things.

Wisdom – to realize we are all one substance with the imperishable life-force of the
universe.

Galaxy Cluster / six billion years ago

The World of Learning

and the World of Compassion

Responding to a Friend

A friend commenting on his past, not too happy experiences with religion: “This is the topic I’d like to learn! Cosmology & religion. I was literally attacked by a pastor when I told him I believed the big bang actually happened. He never let me go until I said, God created the universe as it is written in Genesis, so Buddha's teaching and his points of view of the universe are an eye-opener to me. I was forced to study apologetics, they practically brain-washed me. Reading and pondering your Ancestral Well blogs is helping me wash off their dangerous doctrines.”

Response: The important thing to keep in mind is that conditions surrounding these encounters don’t exist in your world anymore. Even more significantly, you show an eagerness to learn, to gain knowledge—this eagerness evident not only here at Ancestral Well, but in your correspondence with JJ and Fanvid buddies (to which we both happily belong), relating your knowledge and experiences to JJ’ and other’s of the many wonderful posts and discussions. As result, I don’t need to tell you you’ve become, as I have, part of a larger family who seek to discover and learn new things about the world and each other, and ain’t it grand? I can attest this is happening every day of my life.

The Seventh World of Learning within the Ten Worlds

  In his earlier “tactful” teachings, and again in the Lotus Sutra, the Buddha points out that experiencing the world of learning, the 7^th world of the shravaka, is gaining knowledge, discovering larger perspectives on how to live life, how to respond to others, and plays a pivotal role in entering the Buddha-path leading to enlightenment—the eighth, ninth, and tenth worlds.

  Briefly, the ten worlds describe the lower worlds of “hells and angry spirits,” anger, covetous­ness, ignorance, contention; the fifth world of humanity; the sixth, the world of temporary enlightenment from which we too often don’t prevent us from returning to the lower worlds of experience. The key or “gateway” to reaching beyond these lower worlds is to enter the world of learning.

  From Sutra of Innumerable Meanings – “Many living beings discriminate falsely—it is this or it is that, either advantageous or disadvantageous. They entertain confused and evil thoughts, make various evil choices (causes), and thus transmigrate within the six realms of existence, the six lower worlds, in lifetime after lifetime  and cannot escape from there during infinite countless kalpas, suffering all manner of miseries.”

  This may seem judgmental, but significantly the Buddha continues, “Bodhisattva-mahasattvas, observing rightly like this, should raise the mind of compassion, display the great mercy desiring to relieve others of suffering, and once again penetrate deeply into all laws.” Pass no judgments—show compassion.

  Thus, in one fell swoop, the Buddha dismisses all judgments and discriminations, and does so repeatedly in the Lotus Sutra, always responding to his observations of human suffering with compassion: “Beholding this my heart is stirred with great pity . . . I behold all living beings sunk in the sea of suffering, hence I do not reveal myself (reveal my teachings) but set them all aspiring, till their hearts are long, I appear to preach the law . . . Ever making this my thought, how can I cause all the living to enter the Way supreme and speedily accomplish their enlightenment?”

  Entering the world of learning is to take us out of the six lower worlds on a path leading to enlightenment—to reach the eighth world and the mindfulness of self-attained enlightenment; the ninth, dwelling in and experiencing the world of the bodhisattvas who seek to gain enlightenment, first for others, even though their own enlightenment will be delayed. The tenth world, the world of Perfect Enlightenment.

  So, as I see it (from afar, it’s true) you find yourself very much in the 7^th world of learning these days, and it’s a really good place to be. The past can be done away with. It doesn’t exist anymore.

  Study will from time to time introduce thrilling surprises as one learns to discover the beauty and probability that knowledge enhances our beliefs and encourages and motivates us to expand our beliefs, leading to productive and compassionate relationships with others. It’s important, most of all, not to shut one’s self off from the ever-existing possibility that there is something new to learn and discover. The thrill of learning and discovering must be nourished, never impeded; keeping one’s mind in the world of learn­ing is not a bad thing. Residing there one continues to gain new perspectives, and the process seems never ending.

Sugar Hills, New Hampshire

All life is sacred

  ”Great vehicle teachings (Mahayana) see all existence as supremely sacred, it needs no other-worldly injunction to validate this sanctity, no God on High; and most important of all, it sees the plain and mundane things of daily existence—when viewed from the right perspective—as sanctified as the loftiest ideals. In short, in this enlightened awareness, we can all see the marvelous wonder of our universe, blemishes and all, and find our home and comfort in a cosmos that is magically a part of us, and us a part of it. This interpenetration of the individual in the universe is what the teachings of the Buddha are all about—this is their scope and majesty.” – from Hui-neng’s Enlightenment, Here and Now.

  This article in Rissho Kosei-kai’s “Dharma World,” 1982, was found in 1990 when I was a member of  Rissho Kosei-kai in Los Angeles, a layperson’s organization devoted to the Lotus Sutra which informs their practice. It tells the story of the 7^th Century Chinese Zen Patriarch, Hui-neng.

  In the light of the chaos and fractured conditions in our current political climate, and throughout the world, it might be good to bring this to mind again as a defense against allowing such conditions to inflict their pain on us. Individually, we have the potential to instill this simple truth in our hearts and minds and act upon it, finding our home  and comfort as we discover the marvelous wonder of the universe within each moment and know unquestionably that all life is indeed sacred.

  What a revolution this would be! – to transform our thinking and actions imbued with this simple truth.

Need for Clarity

1

  Clarity – When I listened to Vice Pres Joe Biden’s talk before the HRC, Human Rights Campaign, it reminded me of all President Obama’s addresses, including his pre-inauguration appearance in Chicago the night of his election in 2008, the two inaugural addresses, and all of the State of the Union addresses. Beyond the inspiration and joy I feel listening to these men, I marvel at the clarity with which they present the aspiration for our country beyond political differences, for all of us to work together.

  As Joe Biden speaks with such clarity, I was surprised the media, including social media  didn’t pick up on the talk. He covered all—yes, all. He leaves “no stone unturned,” current issues in our country and concerning our relationships and responsibilities in the world community.

  For the present, I take great comfort in knowing that such men exist in our world. Politics in our country has become a shambles of “face-offs,” contentions, ego-centric displays. It is up to each one of us to develop a mindfulness and pay attention to individuals like Obama and Biden who speak with such clarity beyond partisan differences, calling for the restoration and revitalization of our country’s motto: e pluribus unum – from the many, one. Working together for the benefit of the many with one spirit of cooperation.

2

Wisdom without a Teacher

Relevant to “Need for Clarity” – a teaching of the Buddha in the Lotus Sutra – who can say this doesn’t have relevance for us in  today’s world? “Leaders of the world” take note.

“If there are living beings who, following the example of the Buddha, the World-honored One, hear the Law, receive it in faith, diligently practice, and zealously advance, seeking the complete wisdom, the wisdom of the Buddha, the natural wisdom, the wisdom without a teacher, and the knowledge, powers, and fearlessness of the Tathagata, the Buddha who comes as the truth, who take pity on and comfort innumerable creatures, benefit gods and living beings, and save all, these will have the vehicle named the Great-vehicle. Because these bodhisattvas seek this vehicle, they are named mahasattvas, persons of great compassion. They are like those children who come out of the burning house for the sake of a bullock cart.”

The confused in generations to come
who hear the One-vehicle preached by the Buddha,
in their delusion and unbelief
will break the Law and fall into chaotic ways.
But there are beings modest and pure,
devoted to seeking the buddha-way;
for such as these I must
widely extol the One-vehicle Way.

Know, Shariputra!
The Law of enlightened ones is thus,
by myriads of countless tactful ways
they proclaim the Law as opportunity serves.
Those who will not learn
are not able to discern it.
You already know
the expedient tactful ways of the enlightened ones,
the leaders of the world.
Have no further doubts,
rejoice greatly in your hearts
knowing that you will become enlightened ones.

“All are equal in having the enlightened nature—the cause to live. This is the true aspect of all  living beings.”

“Abandon the small self and find the self that lives as the whole. Non-self is the only way we can realize, All the universe in our domain.”

“One’s own mind is intrinsically one with primordial spirit, primordial energy, primordial force. . . to become aware of one’s own enlightened nature, bringing it to light from the depth of one’s mind, nurturing it and developing it vigorously, is the first step one needs to take.”

Autumn – Petersham, Massachusetts

Enlightened nature

accessible to all
(recently published)

So what are we waiting for? One may ask how do I reach this state of mindfulness? Overcoming recent troublesome and disturbing personal circumstances, returning to the source of "what is accessible to all," can only report, in the middle of a night filled with pain, making my way through the rapids, finding calm waters, stillness, and sleep. A small  miracle.

  Seeking to “experience the realm of mind and consciousness in its natural, spontaneous state,” is to discover the implicit reality—that the “buddha (enlightened) nature” exists within each of us and is accessible to all, and that our ultimate goal always will be to attain enlightenment in this lifetime; to serve others with compassionate hearts, mindful that, in reality, the nature of all existence is not in opposing forms, but like space.

  “This guy’s really off his rocker,” you say? – out of touch with reality because our world today is fraught with “opposing forms,” contentions, ignorance, stupidity. Assuredly it  will take an eternity for the ignorant, the “stupid and those of little with” to dig their way out of the morass to discover that paths to enlightened mindfulness do indeed exist and are accessible—eternally, as long as there is life on this planet. The driving force of energy which causes everything to live is present, always, and all living beings are one substance with it.

  When Shakyamuni Buddha, who lived in this world, not apart from it, beheld men and women suffering, by his power of wisdom, “knowing the natures and inclinations of creatures,” at first tactfully proclaimed the laws which would cause all to obtain gladness.” Observing with the eyes of wisdom, “the creatures in the six states of existence, poor and without happiness and wisdom on the dangerous path of mortality, in continuous unending misery, firmly fettered by the five desires like the yak caring for its tail, smothered by greed and infatuation, blinded and seeing nothing, seeking not the Buddha’s wisdom,  and the Law to end suffering, but deeply fall into heresies, and seek by suffering to be rid of suffering,” he does not condemn, nor judge. Rather, he proclaims, “for the sake of all these creatures, my heart is stirred with great pity,” and proceeds to seek means and methods to motivate them to travel the path leading to happiness, and ultimately Perfect Enlightenment.

  The Buddha and his teachings found in the sutras, (the above from chapter 2, “Tactfulness”) are the original source of all teachings leading to celebrating life with compassion, reaching enlightenment—all evolve from the matrix of the appearing, historical Shakyamuni’s teachings during his lifetime, and resonate today with other teachings, whether scientific or metaphysical. The ultimate value of gaining mindfulness of his teachings will be seen within the ebb and flow of our lives—most surprisingly in our participating, loving, lighting up the hopes and dreams of others; realizing intuitively a sense of our miraculous inter-connection with others.

  [written in 2012] Today, negotiating crowded city streets and highways in my faithful Buick Skyhawk, vintage 1984, I no longer contest, allowing others to do their thing; a sense of inner peace, amused by those who contend, no longer engaging in the competition to “get there first.”

  I’m already there—traveling “lost,” arriving here and now.

  We don’t need to be anywhere – from the Diamond Sutra: “Subhuti, first among those who abides in peace, free from strife and passion, does not abide anywhere, that is why he is called one who abides in peace.”

  A man suddenly appears to help me  fix a flat tire. A waitress remembers my name. I maneuver the shopping cart among the crowd, evoking shared laughter when I come close to plowing down an old lady and say, “We need traffic lights, I think.” The mundane . . . the passion . . . the profound. “A jealous one raises the mind of joy.” Enlightened awareness becomes accessible.

Full Moon Eclipse at 5° Aries

Sunday, September 27, 2015 (7:48 pm PDT)

”A Triangle with Wings”

possessing the power to transcend

Adding Another Thread

to the Mandala of Buddha-wisdom

  Full Moon eclipse as our Earth’s shadow covers its surface should remind us that all shades of our humanity are revealed as one vast, interconnected humanity, each one of us possessing the  power to transcend our differences.

“One should know that the
Perfect Wisdom is a great mantra,
is the highest mantra, is the unequaled mantra.” – from The Prajña Paramita Sutra (The Perfect Wisdom Sutra)

  We’re all being reborn at every moment. Look upon each morning as a rebirth and we may understand that only this one day exists. What will happen next time is completely dependent upon what we are doing now, therefore only “now” is important. “Now” is the cause; next life is the result. – Ayya Khema, Being Nobody, Going Nowhere in Buddhist Inspirations. “One instant is eternity; eternity is now.” – Wu-Men

Living with compassion,
love’s end is not the end,
as so it was the moment
the universe was born,
a single spark of energy
becomes everything that is.

– “Worlds I Dream” Remembering New York Years – DFS

    “We beholding this, attain that which has never been before.” – from Chapter 1, Introductory, The Lotus Sutra, as Maitreya Bodhisattva sees the eighteen thousand lands in the eastern quarter illuminated by the ray from the Buddha’s eyebrows, the various manifestations of Buddha Wisdom in the world, and the power we all possess to illuminate our worlds with wisdom, here and  now.

  “The Buddha-wisdom, is pure and minute, faultless and unhindered, penetrating through infinite kalpas.” – Chapter 7, “Parable of  the Magic City”

SEAL OF THE THREE LAWS

All things are impermanent – reminds us to follow the natural direction of human life toward enlightened awareness, knowing that the one thing that is unchangeable and permanent is the cause to live.

Nothing has an ego – without exception all things, existences, all living in the world are related to one another—there is nothing that leads to an isolated existence.

Nirvana is quiescence – nirvana is a state of mind to be cherished in the moment as we extinguish all illusions, a quiet stage in which we cling to nothing in our continuing celebration of life.

Stories from the Lotus Sutra

(second entry)

“together with its reasoning and process . . .”

  As for the sutras themselves, the Buddha’s teachings are enshrined in The Threefold Lotus Sutra, or Lotus Sutra, a gathering of all his teachings. Reading, reciting, committing to memory passages from the Lotus Sutra, returning to the sutra each day, render insights into benefits derived from instilling the teachings in one’s mind and heart, emancipation from that which holds us back from participating with others in making this a better world—the ultimate goal, to live and act as a bodhisattva, a person of compassion.

  This is not an intellectual journey, nor is it required to beseech, extol, or depend upon a deity. The very nature of the stories, events related, examples set by the Buddha and great personages offer stunning examples of how to enrich our lives and practice compassion, work our through and overcome obstacles and negativity, to see beyond illusions which prevent us from continuing along an enlightened path, enhance our experiences with grander perspectives, discover moments of joy in encounters with others. Returning to and embracing, contemplating, reading, reciting the Lotus Sutra each day, is to participate in the great drama of life itself. As a path to follow, the “Buddha-way” presented in the Lotus may seem remote and unrelated to today’s chaotic  world—but is it?

  “. . . The mysterious laws that have been attained by the buddhas (enlightened ones) each on their wisdom thrones, those who can awaken to this sutra must surely gain ere long. Those who can awaken to this sutra shall the meaning of the laws with their terms and expressions delightedly expound without end like the wind in the sky, which never has impediment. After the Tathagata (“one who comes  from the truth”—the Buddha) is extinct. such a one, knowing this sutra that the Buddha has taught, together with its reasoning and process, shall expound it according to its true meaning.

  “Just as the light of the sun and moon can dispel the darkness, so shall they, working in the world, disperse the gloom of the living and cause numberless bodhisattvas finally to abide in the one vehicle. Therefore, those who have wisdom, hearing the benefits of this sutra after I am extinct, should receive and keep this sutra. These sons and daughters shall in the Way of the Buddha be fixed and have no doubts.”