(Keisei sanshiki) Part 4
Dogen suggests studying the old masters profoundly and
taking them as a role model. This would be more important than staying in close
contact with kings, lords, the important figures of public life, the rich and
famous of a country etc. It is better
not to engage with them. If one did
this, one would inevitably depend on them, would be fixated on praise
and criticism and hope for benefits from them.
As it is told,
in such an environment, even in monasteries, there is and there was envy and
jealousy – already at the time of
Gautama Buddha.
Those who are spiritually constrained cannot recognize a truly wise man
and even develop hostility towards
the saints.
According to Dogen, even in Buddhism there are cases in
which great masters have been tortured and killed by those who did not
recognize who they really were.
Dogen advises insistently never to develop hatred in such
cases but rather to teach the
Dharma with great love and compassion to make a difference in people's lives and guide them onto the
right path.
Beginners on the path
to the Buddha-Dharma are still steeped in emotions and ideals which are not consistent with reality.
That is why it is important that the strength of the
first learning period does not weaken and fade away, but is transformed into pragmatic perseverance. This
is necessary to attain the
Buddha-way and to continue the practice: It is necessary to continue practising on our journey to the Buddha-way.
Nishijima Roshi recommends practising Zazen twice a day –
even if, after enthusiastic beginnings, it is not always easy and sometimes can
even be boring. And it is essential to find a true teacher. On this path, one
has to “climb mountains and cross oceans.”
Dogen says:
“While we are
seeking a guiding teacher, or hoping to find a [good] counselor, one comes down
from the heavens, or springs out from the earth.”
He refers to his own experience, when he was looking for a teacher himself. According to Dogen, the
closer you get to know a real master, the greater he appears to be as a man,
the more you can learn from him.
With a false master it is exactly the other way around.
Dogen also shows his
followers how to behave on the Buddha-way if they realize that in everyday life they have gotten tired and lazy. He
advises them to confront
the problem openly and not to deceive themselves.
In front of Buddha one should confess one's
inattentiveness and laziness wholeheartetly. This will create strength and energy which are needed if one is to redeem and purify oneself.
Then, the shallow, unsatisfying days of the past are gradually reduced and a change and a new start are possible. This way, the
old Karma can be cleared and the obstacles on our learning path can be set aside. An old master is quoted:
“
If you haven’t reached perfection in your past life, you can do it now.”
He continues: “After people have realized the truth, they
will be eternal Buddhas now.”
On this path,
theory and thoughts alone won’t take
you further – as important as they
may be. But one has to act and practice
in the Here and Now. For that, we need genuine trust in our body and mind.
“If we practice
like this, none of the eighty-four thousand verses will be withheld from us by
the voice and shape of the valley and the shape and voice of the mountains.”
Then we will realize
that “the valleys and mountains are (real) valleys and mountains"
