Every day priests
minutely examine the dharma
and endlessly chant complicated sutras.
They should learn to read the love letters
sent by the wind and rain, the
snow and moon.
Every day priests
minutely examine the dharma
and endlessly chant complicated sutras.
They should learn to read the love letters
sent by the wind and rain, the
snow and moon.
You
don’t have to
straighten anything out
in your mind. You only have
to set it down if it
isn’t good.
Your
enlightenment is
fully present at every moment
of your life. If you perceive something
between you and that, nothing more
need be done other than
to let go of it upon
observing
it.
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Heaven
is in everything:
follow the light, hide in the
cloudiness and begin
in what is.
I often see
those who are trying
to study Buddhism just use
their worldly intelligence to sift
among the verbal teachings of the buddhas
and ancestral teachers, trying to pick out especially
wondrous sayings to use as conversation pieces to display
their ability and understanding. This is not the correct view
of the matter. You must abandon your world view and sit
quietly with mind silent. Forget entangling causes
and investigate with your whole being. When
you are thoroughly clear, then whatever
you bring forth from your own
inexhaustible treasure of
priceless jewels is sure
to be genuine and
real.
So first
you must awaken
to the Fundamental and
clearly see the essence where
mind equals buddha. Detach from
all false entanglements and become free
and clean. After that respectfully practice all
forms of good, and arouse great compassion to bring
benefits to all sentient beings. In all that you do, be even and
balanced and attuned to the inherent equality of all things —
be selfless and have no attachments. When wondrous
wisdom manifests itself and you penetrate through
to the basic essence, all your deeds will
be wonder-working. Thus it is said,
“Just manage to accept the
truth — you won’t be
deceived.”
Make
enlightenment your
standard, and don’t feel bad
if it is slow in coming.
Take care!
True joy is
experienced by those who
are strong within and
gentle without.
The hexagram Tui teaches us how to come into possession of joy. In our search for success and happiness we are prone to think that we must take aggressive actions to achieve them. The instruction of the I Ching is just the opposite: only those who practice innocence, acceptance, and detachment inherit true joy in this world.
We often see around us how forcible effort brings about what appears to be progress. Our egos tempt us to believe that these gains are lasting and valuable, but the truth is otherwise. Whatever is won by the desirous, ambitious, demanding manipulations of the ego will soon be lost. Others can always be temporarily browbeaten into doing things our way, but only hearts won by friendliness and sincere goodwill are true over time.
The I Ching teaches us again and again that joy and success cannot be forced or stolen. They are achieved gradually—but steadily—by those who relate correctly to others and to the Higher Power. To relate correctly means to steadfastly practice innocence, detachment, acceptance, modesty, and gentleness. Life is full of shortcuts, but this is the only route that leads to true joy.
The image of the hexagram is that of two lakes joined together to keep from drying up. It is an encouragement to us to join with like-minded friends now in the discussion and contemplation of higher things. If we engage in an ongoing conversation about proper principles with our friends, our relationship to truth is steady and our ego cannot seduce us into the doubt, fear, and anxiety that lead away from joy.
In your heart, be firm in holding to what is good and honest and correct. In your thoughts and actions, be gentle and accepting. Those who persevere on this path will meet with true joy and lasting success.
from The I Ching, or Book of Changes
ebooks & apps of the Tao the Ching, I Ching,
Hua hu Ching, Wei wu Wei Ching,
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