Posts Tagged → awakening

accept three precepts

the paws of the buddha smelled like popcorn

 

Even if

you know how to recite

the texts, you still have to discern reality

from artificiality. Why? Sound and form dim the mind,

falsehoods fool the ears; personality and ego become second

nature, the disease of self-affirmation is deep-seated.

When the mind is separated from the

Way,  the principle is hard to

comprehend.

 

If you wish

to return to the supreme

Way, have deep faith and first accept

three precepts. If you practice in accord with

these three precepts consistently from

beginning to end, then you will

attain the true Way. The

three precepts

are:

 

simplifying involvements 

not craving anything 

quieting the mind

 

…A scripture says,

“If people can empty their minds

and not contrive anything, it is not that

they want the Way, but the Way

spontaneously reverts

to them.”

 

Treatise on Sitting Forgetting

 

who can say that tao is far from us?

césar ancelle hansen

 

I have discarded

the world of fame and profit.

How elegant is the morning sun shining

on the rafters and eaves. How cool are the terrace

and pond after the rain. I burn incense to break the deep

silence, and drink the spring water and relax in joy. I penetrate

into the wonders of Tao, and chant ancient sutras. When my

mind is at ease, my spirit is gay. When understanding

is gained, there is nothing left to comprehend.

Who can say that the realm of Tao is far

from us? How tranquil it is; as at

the beginning of Heaven

and Earth.

 

Ni Tsan

 

let the teaching flow out from your own breast

herself

 

Yantou and Xuefeng

were snowed in on Tortoise Mountain.

Day after day, Yantou slept while Xuefeng sat up

and meditated. On the third day, Yantou sat up

too and said, “Get some sleep. What do you

think you are — a roadside shrine?”

Xuefeng touched his chest and

said, “My heart isn’t at peace.

I can’t fool myself.”

 

Yantou grave a great yell.

“Don’t you know the family treasure doesn’t

come in through the gate?” he said. “Let the teaching

flow out from your own breast to cover

the sky and the earth.”

 

Xuefeng was suddenly enlightened

and cried out, “Today Tortoise Mountain

has finally awakened!”

 

John Tarrant

bring me the rhinoceros