After a discussion on my previous post, the question arose about the nature of Bodhi and those with plentiful karma.
Common are the stories of those with balanced lives, okay life situations and idealic settings walking the path of Zen. In my experience, I would read these stories and think:
"Zen is the solution to all problems. A magic elixir that will fix everything."
Like Zen will melt all of it away. Wipe the slate clean. Then I'll be as fresh and plump faced as a baby, untouched by the karma of life. Roaming the streets in absolute ecstatic rapture. Awe struck at everything. Sounds silly.
Considering this, I typed in the word" karma" and found this nugget from Joshu, with a monk asking the question I'm asking myself:
A monk asked, "A sendai [one who because of his bad karma cannot attain enlightenment] - what is he like?" Joshu said, "I will answer you. But will you believe?" The monk said, "You are being very careful with your words. Why shouldn't I believe?" Joshu said, "Try and search for even one sendai. He is very hard to find."
I find this interaction very interesting.
The monk asks Joshu simply "A sendai... What is he like?"
Joshu replies back with a promise of an answer but questions if the monk will truly believe him, even if he answers.
Rightly so, the monk asks for clarity on Joshu doubting that the answer would be sufficient for the monk. After all, if you yourself have "bad karma", you also cannot "attain enlightenment", your frame of reference is likely going to trump that of another. Even if it is a well respected Zen elder.
Joshu simply answers that instead of asking this question, simply look for one who is barred from "attaining enlightenment" due to "bad karma".
There are many ways to look at this interaction. Is it a statement on enlightenment first and karma second? Does Joshu wish to point out that karma cannot exclude you from awakening/Bodhi? Or is it a statement about karma first and awakening/Bodhi second?
After considering it for some time, the concept of barriers drew my attention. Barriers are created when there is a perceived or physical obstacle, between "this", "not this" and "that". We want to be "there" and if something is in the way, well we may charge on through. If only all barriers were so simple. Some barriers stop us. We think to ourselves some variation of:
"There's no way past that."
Our frame of reference, the discriminating thoughts determine the force required to pierce through the barrier. In fact, bringing it back to Joshu, there exist barriers but they do not block you from the way.
Joshu was remarking, at least in my opinion, that there is no barrier to awakening/Bodhi. Its already there, covered in dust. Sweep the dust away. Minimise future karma.
What then of the already sown karma?
It would be niave to say that it all vanishes. From personal experience, bodies trap trauma, emotions, fear in muscles and tissue. Bodies have dysfunction. Low chemicals. High chemicals. Health issues. In fact, it reminds me of the koan about the monk turned into a fox for believing he wasn't subject to cause and effect. We cannot escape. We must work through. Work with the tools you were given. Work to your skills.
I'm aware the title I chose is a tad overdramatic. Dwelling in the Hell realms. The barriers placed before ourselves may seem loftier. We may think ideas of "My mind is broken." or "I'll never awaken fully". I am guilty of these thoughts from time to time. Like the monk, the real answer is to search.
Though I dance with Mara, the flames licking my legs, I see past the discernment of concepts, places, things. Whilst my body and mind need work, I work where I am. Tend to my mind and my body.
Even if I don't realise awakening, like Joshu said, at least I'll be a refined individual.
Any thoughts? Words to share?
Submitted July 22, 2022 at 12:34PM by Turbulent_Highway_51 https://ift.tt/bLTV4ec
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