Fukanzazengi, Universal Principles Of Zen Meditation Talk- 3

This is the third session in a series of six talks on Eihei Dogen’s Fukanzazengi, “Universal Principles of Zen Meditation.” In this session we’ll talk about how Dōgen reinforces his absolutist, non-dualistic view of practice both behaviorally and psychically from another angle by talking about our already realized nature.

Transcript

Welcome to the third talk on A. H. Dogen's Fukanza Zenji, Universal Principles of Zen Meditation. In the previous session, We covered the opening paragraph of Fukanza Zenji, Where Dogen asserts his all-inclusive, Absolutist view generated through the direct experience of practicing zazen with musho toku, Or no gaining mind. In this session, We'll talk about how Dogen reinforces this view of practice from another angle. That is, Dogen then again addresses our already realized nature from a different perspective, And he writes, It is never apart from one, Right where one is. What is the use of going off here and there to practice? We can look at this statement as an expression of his non-dualistic approach, Both externally or behaviorally, And internally or psychically. Behaviorally, With the wealth of materials, Webinars, Audio-visual files available on the internet, There are many opportunities to tune into a variety of teachings. These teachings can be useful to a point. However, The varied conceptualizations, Practices, Differing doctrinal themes, All can lead to confusion. Perhaps more importantly, Without a one-to-one relationship with a teacher, There is no opportunity to experience what in Zen is described as mind-to-mind transmission beyond words and letters. I recommend trying out various teachers and teachings. However, It's important to settle in somewhere at some point and dig in deeper in one spot. Many don't, And simply continue to collect one experience after another. I often hear such individuals describing the so-called life-changing, Powerful experience that they just had. I wonder, If the experience was so powerful, What happened to it, That such experience collectors continue to experience dissatisfaction and constantly continue to seek out new powerful life-changing experiences? Here's a relevant teaching story. Two pilgrims were crossing the desert on their way to a holy site. They had run out of water and had lost their way. They encountered a desert dweller and asked him where they could find water. He said, Right here where you're standing. They were incredulous, But he said, Yeah, Just keep digging straight down and you will find refreshing water. They both began digging. One dug down a foot or two and said, There's no water here. I'll start digging somewhere else. He repeated the same process over and over again until he had dug dozens of holes and still didn't find water. Meanwhile, The other pilgrim stayed in the same place and just kept digging, Just like the desert dweller had advised. He soon reached water about five feet down, Just as was promised. In the meantime, The other had dug a countless number of two-foot holes and was still digging and he was still thirsty. We're very fortunate to have an abundance of practices available to us. As I said before, Check them out. But resolve to settle in one place and keep digging in that one spot. Remember, Dogen tells us right up front, It is never apart from one, Right where one is. What is the use of going off here and there to practice? Psychically and internally going off here and there, As Dogen describes, Has to do with seeking preferred psychological states of mind. This has to do with picking and choosing related to dissatisfaction with the present state of mind. What becomes crucial is not the particular state of mind. Rather, It's our relationship to any state of mind that's important. Can you just sit without picking and choosing? Make the effort to sit with the intention to raise bodhicitta or awake mind. The commitment to simply sit with the rising and falling of all perceptual moments, Whether they be thoughts, Feelings, Sounds, Physical sensations, Fantasies, Concerns, All without judging, Without attachment or aversion, Without grasping after preferred psychological states, And without pushing away undesirable states of mind. Can you let Zazen do you instead of trying to shape or alter the outcome, Just sitting free of goals or preconceptions? Remember, You are already the outcome. This is realization expressing itself. Remember, The absoluteness, Wholeness, Freedom, And clarity of the Buddha way always manifests everywhere, Untouched by any mental or physical strivings, Beyond both delusion and realization. So please ask yourself between now and the next talk, Can I just keep sitting no matter what? And think about this. Is your sitting calming? Is it agitating? Is it satisfying? Or is it a combination of feelings? Thank you.

Reviews

Thank you again Seiso. Another wonderful explanation of Zazen. Very helpful. 🙏

Thank you for these. I like to think I am moving from the inquiry stage to a more focused practice. Still much to learn 🙏

Thank you for the explanation about No Gaining Mind 🙏🧘‍♀️