ED, It's not so much that it shouldn't be touched by rational analysis, but more that it can't. As for faith and hope, well, that depends from which side you're looking at it ; )
Mike ________________________________ From: ED <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Thu, 3 March, 2011 1:04:42 Subject: [Zen] Re: Is Enlightenment a process? > The Buddha Mind is none other than our own pure, original mind that is always >present, and merely hidden by deluded thought. Many Zen texts from the >earliest >times describe this: > > Thoughts? Mike, This is the magnificent Act of Faith and Hope which is the foundation of Zen and Buddhism, which can dispel doubt and confusion, and bring tranquility, hope, joy and guidance to many. I am reluctant to touch it with rational analysis. --ED --- In [email protected], mike brown <uerusuboyo@...> wrote: > Is Enlightenment a process? It seems to be the view of many Buddhist practioners (and on this forum) that meditation is essential for Self-Realisation. I meditate myself and have sat in 10 day retreats here in japan, but I don't believe that Realisation is a process (ie thru meditation). Rather, the Absolute is unborn - without beginning or end - and can be realised simply by 'waking up' to our true nature. Does meditation help us to wake up? Undoubtedly! It's just that meditation has nothing to do with enlightenment per se. The Buddha Mind is none other than our own pure, original mind that is always present, and merely hidden by deluded thought. Many Zen texts from the earliest times describe this: Hongren (600-674): Just as the light of the sun is never destroyed, but is merely obscured by clouds and mists, the pure mind possessed by all sentient beings is merely hidden by layered clouds of discursive thinking, false notions, and deluded views. Just clearly maintain [awareness of] the mind and do not give rise to false notions. The Dharma sun of nirvana will then naturally appear. Thus we know that our minds are inherently pure. Huineng (638-713): Huineng said, “Do not think of good, do not think of evil. At this very moment, what is your original face before your father and mother were born?” Damei Fachang (752-839): Monks, strive to reach the root; do not chase after the branches. Reach the root, and the rest will naturally follow. If you wish to perceive the root, just see into your own mind. This mind is the source of all, both mundane and supermundane. When mind arises the various dharmas arise; when mind is extinguished, the various dharmas disappear. If you give rise to the mind that is unattached to good and bad, all things are in their true state. Linji (d. 866): If you will just bring to rest the thoughts of the ceaselessly seeking mind, you will not differ from the patriarch-buddha.Turn your own light inward upon yourselves! Thoughts? Mike
