| Instead of having some object of worship, we just concentrate on the activity which we do in each moment. If you can become the master of each circumstance, then whatever you do, that is the truth itself.
There is only the constant realization of Self. What is Buddha? Toilet paper! That's all. What is this? Just breath after breath--Just! This! The process is the goal and the goal is the process. The goal of life is to truly live. The process is the goal. Each Mu & each breath, this very moment and this very place, have been the goal, are the goal, and will always be the goal. The way is endless, but each moment we are at home, each moment is the goal.
What is true zazen? When you become you! When you are you, then no matter what you do, that is zazen. If you do not lose yourself, then even though you have problems, there is no problem whatsoever. When you are a part of the problem, or when the problem is a part of you, there is no problem, because you are the problem itself. The problem is you yourself. If this is so, there is no problem. So which do you hit, yourself or your problems?
"No-abode" or "no-abiding" is a Buddhist term--it equates with emptiness (sunyata) and sometimes with "non-attachment." It literally means "not to have any home where one may settle down," but its real meaning is "to settle down where there is no settling down." Being does not remain as such, nor does nonbeing. They are always ready to change from one state to another. This is the "fluidity" of things. But as soon as the mind "stops" with either of them, it loses its own fluidity.
Constancy (nin): The unchanging ability to accept things as they are. We should always live in the dark empty sky. The sky is always the sky. Even though clouds and lightning come, the sky is not disturbed. You should establish your practice in your delusion.
Even though you think you are in delusion, your pure mind is there. To realize pure mind in your delusion is practice. Outside the mind there is no place to go. It is the mind itself that is the first object of our quest, and also the last.
The essence of Zen is so simple that it can be described in on short word--JUST. Just! Just this! This right here, right now. Now! Put up no resentment, no resistance.
To sit, to walk, and even to trip and fall down are no other than the Perfect Way itself. To be silent, to laugh and even to scream are the Perfect Way. Everyday action is the Perfect Way. If we seek so-called "perfection," we will never get it. Nonetheless, at this moment, at this place, we do feel peaceful--chanting, sitting, eating, breathing, Mu-ing--each action is perfect as it is and cannot be otherwise.
Zazen practice makes us the master of each moment. Zazen is therefore, in a sense, preparation for the many unpredictable and unexpected happenings in our life. We must learn to accept them as they are. We must learn to act as master. If you can become the master of each circumstance, then wherever you stand, whatever you do, that is the Truth itself.
The fact that everything is all right as it is, and, in fact, cannot be otherwise...this is Namu Dai Bosa. Remember that conditions are constantly changing, depending on your physical, mental, and emotional states. Don't be deluded by conditions. "Today my Namu Dai Bosa is bad." "Today my Namu Dai Bosa is good." This is fine as a report of condition, but don't forget that Namu Dai Bosa is always all right, regardless of the condition. It is always as it is!
In the tradition of Mahayana Buddhism, it is emphasized time and time again to realize Fundamental Reality, as we human beings have a tendency to look at only one aspect--that is, the existential, ever-changing condition of phenomena.
We have a tendency to miss seeing the other fundamental aspect. The fundamental and existential aspects of phenomena are appearing right now, simultaneously, like water (honbun) and wave shusho). Nothing is hidden! And, consequently, nothing need be uncovered!
We are not searching for something outside, and we are not trying to uncover something concealed. Rather, we are working for the realization of that which is already revealed. But it is so close and so familiar to us, our habit of emphasizing existential phenomena is so strong, and our judgment of good and bad is so deeply rooted that it is difficult for us to appreciate this wonderful Dharma teaching.
Exhaustion is the existential condition of the body. "Today I am tired." "Today I am fine." Today...whatever." "Today I am" is the essential condition and that is no other than the essence of Zen Buddhism. Honbun is the fundamental level, the ocean, the sky, that is the fundamental self, the reality which is always with you, the base or container for experience, the ongoing frame of the self. Shusho is the existential condition of the self, the experience of pleasure, anxiety, etc.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Koenigsberg's comment: What Zen emphasizes is the container, the underlying "atman," the self that is the experiencer. The West emphasizes the experience itself, and tends to equate experience (the existential level) with reality. This was Sartre's idea: "Existence precedes essence." The Western idea is that experience (or language) defines the self. The Eastern idea is the existence of a "pristine ego," a self that is prior to experience. This is one's "original nature," the self that is always with you, which has always been with you, and will continue to be with you. This is the experiencer.
|