Thank you, Steve. This is also my observation.
The word "practice", is translated from two Chinese words and they are
"trim/cultivate" and "execute/apply" combined. Chan needs to be walked
on both "legs", because they interact with each other.
In Buddhist sutra, the word "action" is often associated with
Bodhisattva, so to mean "Actions of Bodhisattva" or in Chinese 『菩薩
行』. Seldom the word, "cultivate" is associated with Bodhisattva to be
『菩薩修』。
In other words, to comprehend, to be awaken is still in the domain of
consciousness, or Human Realm of the Ten Buddhist Realms. To act on, so
to refine our awakening continuously is the only way to reach the
Bodhisattva Realm.
In our school, it further recommends us to undertake the karma of
others. Not as a concept, but in forms of both wisdom and life's
energy. This is not a concept. It is a real practice. Similar to
merit, it is not a concept, or a way of teaching. It can be experienced.
Everything written in the sutra can be experienced, once we get to that
level. It is quite fascinating.
:-)
JM
Be Enlightened In This Life - We ALL Can
http://chanjmjm.blogspot.com
http://www.heartchan.org
On 2/1/2011 11:28 AM, SteveW wrote:
--- In [email protected] <mailto:Zen_Forum%40yahoogroups.com>,
"Bill!" <BillSmart@...> wrote:
>
> ED,
>
> The Noble Eightfold Path is a very good example of why I don't
consider zen a subset of Buddhism. First of all to assert there are 8
items of conduct such as this borders on hubris. Also to proceed all
of them with a qualifier 'Right' is also an example of the
impertinence that characterizes most religions.
>
> For all lists and dogmas and precepts and commandments, etc.., I
must agree with a quote from Phaedrus by Plato:
>
> "And what is good, Phaedrus,
> And what is not good -
> Need we ask anyone to tell us these things?"
>
> No ED, zen does not concern itself with lists like this - at least
the zen I practice does not.
>
> ...Bill!
>
Hi Bill! and ED. I happen to be an unabashed advocate of the Buddhist
program. The Eightfold Path is all about transcending
Dukkha and realizing Sukkha. In my experience, and from observing the
behavior of so-called Enlightened Masters, I have seen that
conditioned attachment to greed and hatred does not simply vanish
with clear seeing, unless that clear seeing is applied in a systematic
way in daily life. But that systematic application is itself
the Eightfold Path. In my opinion, too many Western Zennists
are content to realize a certain level of insight into Emptiness
and then assert that "Everything is perfect in being what it is".
And yet, in times of duress, they are still pulled and pushed by
the Kleshas. They are still secretly unhappy, and they continue to
make others unhappy. Yes, everything is perfect in being what it is,
but what it IS is the process of sentient beings awakening to their
Buddha Dhatu and then applying that awakening in a positive way both
to their own lives and to their interactions with others. And as I
mentioned earlier, this IS practical application of The Eightfold
Path. This is also the meaning of "Sudden Enlightenment followed by
Gradual Cultivation" advocated by Korean Zen (Son). In my opinion.
Steve
