interrelated in indra’s net

indra’s net

 

Causes are complex

and have different time scales.

The efforts of the individual are not

the sole determining factor in the individual’s

condition in life, because everyone is part of the

nexus of society and nature and the continuum

of time. It is common for people to attribute

causes wrongly because of misperception

of real relationships.

 

Every cause is the effect of

something else, and every effect is

the cause of something else. What may seem

like a curse may be a blessing, and what may seem

a blessing may be a curse. Hardship is a blessing

when it spurs effort and development; ease is

a curse when it increases complacency

and self-indulgence.

 

Muso Kokushi

 

the practice of repaying wrongs

this is the pure buddha-land

 

Entering through practice

refers to the Four Practices — all other

practices are contained within these. What are

the Four Practices? First, the practice of repaying wrongs.

Second, the practice of going along with the causal

nexus. Third, the practice of not seeking

anything. Fourth, the practice of

according with the

Dharma.

 

What is the practice

of repaying wrongs? When receiving

suffering, a practitioner who cultivates the Path

should think to himself: “During countless ages past

I have abandoned the root and pursued the branches, flowing

into the various states of being, and giving rise to much rancor and

hatred — the transgression, the harm done, has been limitless.

Though I do not transgress now, this suffering is a disaster

left over from former lives — the results of evil deeds

have ripened. This suffering is not something

given by gods or humans.”

 

You should willingly

endure the suffering without anger

or complaint. The sutra says: “Encountering

suffering, one is not concerned. Why? Because one

is conscious of the basic root.” When this attitude toward

suffering is born, you are in accord with inner truth,

and even as you experience wrongs, you advance

on the Path. Thus it is called “the practice

of repaying wrongs.”

 

Records of the Teachers and Students of the Lanka

full text here