unlockthedoortolearning

Eihei Dogen wrote, “Arousing the aspiration for enlightenment depends on sutras and teachers. Practice depends on sutras and teachers.  The fruit of enlightenment is one and intimate with sutras and teachers. (page 38)”[1] The world revolves around teachers of all kinds, from religious to secular to family members, friends, acquaintances, the written and spoken word, and life experiences.

We are born learners and seekers of teachers.   In Buddhism there are many teachers available to us from our sutras, and those who teach them or share their insights about them, to the sangha itself where we sit and find the answers within ourselves as we tap into the “big mind.”  Then there are the many wonderful books that help explain things about Buddhism. Since esoteric teachings are often confusing and have “hidden” meanings behind the words it is important to have those insights either in the books, online at websites and blogs, or in your sangha from a teacher or another practitioner.

There is not a better way or a right way or an “only” way to delve into the sutras.  All paths can lead to enlightenment or satori or kensho whichever term you prefer.  But the sutras are not just a path to enlightenment they are a pathway to life.

I remember reading a letter that was written by Paramahansa Yogananda and in it he wrote.  “Do not look at the beggar on the street and say, ‘There but for the grace of God go I’ because he may be in his last incarnation and you may have many more to go.”  So once you have memorized a sutra if you do not live the words within it what good is it?  The value is not in the memorization, but in the application!

It is also important to remember the words of Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha) when he is quoted as saying,

Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it.  Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many.  Do not believe in anything because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations.  But after observation and analysis, when you find anything that agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.

Enlightenment does not come “from” the sutras but from living a life as illustrated in them—to do that more easily and more often we need to put some of them to memory.  That way we have the principles anchored in our unconscious as well as our conscious mind and the words can be of great help to us especially in times of challenge.

One of my favorites is the Metta Sutra: The Loving-Kindness of Shakyamuni Buddha:

 May all beings be happy. May they be joyous and live in safety. All living beings, whether weak or strong, in high or middle, or low realms of existence, small or great, visible or invisible, near or far, born or to be born, may they all be happy.

Let none deceive another nor despise any being in any state; let none by anger or hatred wish harm to another.

Even as a mother at the risk of her life watches over and protects her only child, so with boundless mind should one cherish all living things, suffusing love over the entire world, above, below, and all around without limit.

Standing or walking, sitting or lying down, during all one’s waking hours, may one  remain mindful of this heart and this way of living that is the best in the world.

Unattached to speculations, views and sense desires, with clear vision, such a person will never be reborn in the cycles of suffering.

If you have not already done so, begin today to pick a sutra that resonates with you and memorize it.  When you do the “fruits of enlightenment” will be there for the picking. What a luscious thing that will be!

Be happy, Shokai

Things to focus on this week:

1.  I will begin each day setting my intention to read a sutra each morning and evening.

2.  I will remind myself that I too can be happy!

3.  I will work each day on memorizing a sutra and know memorization is easy for me.

4.  Lastly, I will keep a journal of the opportunities that have been presented to me so I can keep track of my progress and my opportunities for growth.