April 29, 2010
Zen Master says: “If you have clear realization, whatever you say is right; if you do not, whatever you say is wrong.”
While I was having a discussion about certain matter with few friends recently they did sent quotes and responses. It was a good everyday life example how true these words are.
In the book of Tao, which I have been reading daily there is a chapter called “Accountability”.
A father without a father Has difficulty balancing. A master without a master Is dangerous.
From 365 Tao by Deng Ming-Dao
Some think that having a teacher or Master is not necessary. “You are the light”, they say. True, but did you realize this light yourself? Does it function in every action every moment?
To find a teacher is indeed very difficult. Dogen had to go to China to find his teacher. This is what he writes.
• Excerpts from Dogen Kigen’s Raihai Tokuzui •
Most difficult for the person engaged in training for supreme, perfect enlightenment is to find a guide. It is irrelevant whether a guide has male or female characteristics, and the like; what counts is that the guide be a being of virtue, of thusness.
One need not be of the past or of the present; even the spirit of a wild fox may be a qualified mentor. Such is the way of the attainment of the marrow: a mentor guides and assists without obscuring cause and effect, and may well be you, me or another…
Shakyamuni Buddha said:
“When you meet a mentor who expounds supreme enlightenment, you should notice neither its lineage nor its appearance; neither should you detest its faults or concern yourself with its conduct. Because you treasure wisdom alone, you should feed it daily hundreds of thousands of taels in gold. Pay homage to it by offering heavenly meals and sprinkling celestial flowers…
Ever since I first aroused my mind, I have applied myself to training in this manner and have now attained supreme, perfect enlightenment.”