When
dharma does not fill your whole body
and mind, you think it is already sufficient.When
dharma fills your body and mind, you
understand that something is missing.
For example, when you
sail out in a boat to the middle of
an ocean where no land is in sight,
and view the four directions, the ocean
looks circular, and does not look any
other way. But the ocean is neither
round or square; its features are infinite
in variety. It is like a palace. It
is like a jewel. It only looks circular
as far as you can see at that time.
All things are like this.
Though there are many
features in the dusty world and the
world beyond conditions, you see and
understand only what your eye of practice
can reach. In order to learn the nature
of the myriad things, you must know
that although they may look round or
square, the other features of oceans
and mountains are infinite in variety;
whole worlds are there. It is so not
only around you, but also directly
beneath your feet, or in a drop of
water.
When
dharma does not fill your whole body and mind,
you think it is already sufficient.
Do you know what reality is? Do you
know the Buddha's dharma?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed,
you’re not becoming big enough. You’re
realization is still too small. You’re realization
is too small. Realization is big enough!
When
dharma fills your body and mind, you understand
that something is missing.
You understand you can’t grasp
it as an object. That you’re not alone, you’re
not some kind of egomaniacal Buddha.
Do you get it? Do you habitually strive
for sufficiency and avoid the feeling
something is missing?
Next Dogen gives an analogy to help
you understand his observation.
For
example, when you sail out in a boat to the
middle of an ocean where no land is in sight,
and view the four directions, the ocean looks
circular, and does not look any other way.
But the ocean is neither round or square; its
features are infinite in variety.
It
is like a palace. It is like a jewel. It only
looks circular as far as you can see at that
time. All things are like this.
Each situation is marvelous, and we
don't see it, because we see it in a particular way.
Though
there are many features in the dusty world
and the world beyond conditions,
The dusty world is the world of conditions.
In the world of dust everything is transactional.
The dusty world calculated, with many preconceptions.
you
see and understand only what your eye of practice
Your awareness!
can
reach. In order to learn the nature of the
myriad things, you must know that although
they may look round or square, the other features
of oceans and mountains are infinite in variety;
whole worlds are there. It is so not only around
you, but also directly beneath your feet, or
in a drop of water.
Have you ever looked at a drop of
water under a microscope?
You know the ocean is not round. Even
if you don’t know what it is, you
know its it’s different than what you see.
When you see the limits of your perception,you
appreciate the limits of your perception.
So, thinking of the worlds in a drop
of water and of your misperception
of the ocean as round, can you appreciate
the limits of your perception?
If so, can you begin to know the limits
of your perception
...
directly beneath your feet ...
In your world, in your life.
You think the ocean is circular. Of course you do.
So what? in "Ballad in Plain D" Bob Dylan wrote:
My
friends from the prison, they ask unto me,
"How good, how good does it feel to be free?"
And I answer them most mysteriously,
"Are birds free from the chains of the skyway?"
