KKT/painting a message on the mirror

[Guest guest]

"Dan Berkow, PhD" wrote:

> "Dan Berkow, PhD" <berkowd

>

> Dear KKT,

> Thank you for your wonderful

> post in response to Larry.

> Very informative about

> Hui-Neng and Dzogchen.

> I didn't know Hui-Neng's

> sutra was burned. That is

> important information in consideration

> of this: there is a lot of energy

> put into deciding the "right" way

> to say things. Preserving the "right"

> doctrine about the transitoriness

> of phenomena becomes very important! :-)

>

> Is it just me, or is there a very

> important contradiction exposed here?

>

> -- Love -- Dan

>

 

Namaste Sri Adi Dan-ji! You characteristically put your finger on the heart of

the matter.

 

You state,

"there is a lot of energy

put into deciding the "right" way

to say things. Preserving the "right"

doctrine about the transitoriness

of phenomena becomes very important! :-)

 

Is it just me, or is there a very

important contradiction exposed here?"

 

 

Danji, It seems to me that you point to the superficiality of understanding on

part of spiritual teachers which is probably no fault of their own. This is what

they were taught and that is what they pass on. On occasion, someone in every

tradition understands clearly, directly, simply, the ordinary pure knowing of

Beingness/Emptiness. All teaching is left behind but gratitude to the True

Teacher remains. Such people have then to remain silent or run away or risk

speaking their mind and cause tension among the followers. Who is going to

understand anyway? Staying silent or running

away are the usual options due to the inclination to not harm and disturb the

faith of others. Given the strife and competition among various spiritual

traditions, it is evident that most teachers are simply unable to comprehend the

deepest aspects of their own teachings.

 

Again Dan-ji you state:

 

"Painting the message

doesn't add to what the mirror does. This statement

concerns all schools that enshrine teachings

and provide descriptions of teacher's experiences

as models for students. I realize that there may

be no way around this, and it may simply

be a human tendency. I'm not claiming to be

"above it," and in fact have learned from

many of these various teachings. However,

I'm raising the question of a limitation

involved in the whole process."

 

 

Danji, probably, there is no way around it. Of course there are people like

Ramana Maharshi or perhaps yourself, or our own dear friend Jan for who the

process happens so spontaneously and quickly that before one has a chance to

become rigid in any belief system the whole thing is over. Such sages remind us

of the universality of our original nature which transcends superficial labels.

We bow to the Sages who indicate that the Light shining in their hearts shines

in every heart. Awakening to that Light, we become the Light.

 

Love

Harsha

[Guest guest]

Dear Dan-ji,

 

<< "Dan Berkow, PhD" <berkowd

 

Dear KKT,

Thank you for your wonderful

post in response to Larry.

Very informative about

Hui-Neng and Dzogchen.

 

< snip >

 

Appreciating your views and your

scholarly contributions here --

 

-- Love -- Dan

>>

 

KKT: You are always eloquent and fluent.

Reading your posts is a delightful pleasure.

I offer you a story of a Vietnamese Zen

Master, Ngo An (1020-1088):

 

 

Once a monk asked: "What is the great Path?"

Ngo An said: "The great road."

 

The monk continued: "I was asking about the great Path

and you answered me with the great road. I have no idea

when I can attain the great Path."

Ngo An said: "A kitten doesn't know how to catch mice yet."

 

The monk continued: "Does a kitten have Buddha nature?"

Ngo An said: "No!"

 

The monk continued: "Teacher, do you have Buddha nature?"

Ngo An said: "No!"

 

The monk asked: "All sentient beings have Buddha nature,

why only you do not?"

Ngo An said: "Because I'm not a sentient being."

 

The monk continued: "If you are not a sentient being, are you a Buddha then?"

Ngo An said: "I'm neither a Buddha nor a sentient being."

 

 

When he was about to pass away, Ngo An spoke a verse:

 

The wondrous nature of Emptiness is inconceivable,

Yet it is not at all difficult to realize it with empty mind.

A jewel burned on the mountain, its color is constantly bright,

And a lotus blooms in the furnace, its moisture never dries up.

 

 

With Love,

 

KKT

[Guest guest]

KKT,

 

Thank you for your lovely messages,

they reflect light like jewels of wisdom,

and are morning treasures to read before

the day's Sun fires over the mountain,

 

Thank you.

 

L*L*L

~ bo ~