Mike, Yes, the problem with these pithy 'in crowd' Zen sayings is that bowls can be washed WITHOUT realization just as they can be WITH realization...
Edgar On Sep 2, 2012, at 6:19 AM, mike brown wrote: > > Bill!, > > A great instruction, and is certainly direct, but Joshu's instructions were > given to a monk who had probably been practicing meditation for a long time > and was already 'ripe' for awakening to happen. Imagine how useful that > instruction would be to a neophyte coming off the street asking about the > search for truth or something similar. Joshu's instruction is just that - an > instruction. That's why i believe Buddha's skilful means (upaya) is so useful > as a teaching method. On the one side we can have the direct pointing to the > Dharma (Zen) and on the other we can have Therevada Buddhism with it's more > step by step instructions, such as following the Noble eightfold Path. > > The Buddha was very wise to understand that there are many different kinds of > people/cultures/personalities etc. out there and no one method will work for > all. I think it should be clear now that "wash you bowls" just isn't going to > work for someone like ED. If you agree, what else could you say that might > help him? > > Mike > > > From: Bill! <[email protected]> > To: [email protected] > Sent: Sunday, 2 September 2012, 9:48 > Subject: [Zen] Re: " dancing with the daffodils" > > > ED, > > Mind if Joshu and I jump in? > > "WASH YOUR BOWLS!" That's how...Bill! (and Joshu) > > --- In [email protected], "ED" <seacrofter001@...> wrote: > > > > > > > > Edgar, > > > > And how is this magic trick accomplished? > > > > --ED > > > > > > > > --- In [email protected], Edgar Owen <edgarowen@> wrote: > > > > > > ED, > > > > > > Stop practicing and just BE your Buddha Nature! > > > > > > Edgar > > > > > > > > > > Edgar, > > > > > > > > Therefore, although each of us is complete, we need to practice > > > > diligently at all times with no objective in mind? > > > > > > > > --ED > > > > > > > > > > > Joe and Merle, > > > > > > > > > > There is no 'goal' of enlightenment to be achieved without which > > you > > > > imagine you are incomplete.... > > > > > > > > > > There is no incompleteness. This understanding is an essential > > aspect > > > > of realization... > > > > > > > > > > Wham! > > > > > > > > > > Edgar > > > > > > >
