Mike, and Bill! The problem with "wash your bowls" and other pithy Zen aphorisms is that it's equally possible to wash bowls without realization as it is 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 > > > > > > >
