tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904219782540965444.post481490616455968808..comments2024-03-14T04:06:54.124-04:00Comments on GENKAKU-AGAIN (adam fisher): the fine print of spiritual lifegenkakuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12135705172119950326noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904219782540965444.post-48303278544471759772010-10-30T15:11:40.430-04:002010-10-30T15:11:40.430-04:00Thanks for the pointer to the book, Eat. Sleep. Si...Thanks for the pointer to the book, <i>Eat. Sleep. Sit.</i><br /><br />You made some good points.<br /><br />One commenter on Amazon who gave the book a poor review had this to say "Mr. Nonomura is a quiet, reserved individual, and he offers no particular clues or insights as to why he decides to go to the monastery in the first place. "<br /><br />Underneath it all, I think, are the Huge Problems. <br /><br />The What, the Why and the How; assuming the Who is you | me | the potential aspirant and the When is as soon as possible or in this lifetime.<br /><br />Saying the What is "Enlightenment" or "Realization" is very vague and seemingly subjective. Objectified formulations also seem problematic as in "To end suffering."<br /><br />The Why is at best extremely personal but will be a function of one's answer to the What.<br /><br />The How almost seems trivial after the What and the Why are fully understood, but on reflection still needs very careful consideration: Does one need to break bones? Throw out one's back? Tear ligaments in one knees? Endure slaps in the face? Beatings with a stick? Verbal abuse? What austere measures are really needed? Are any really needed? (And this isn't even asking the question about the skill and insight of those demanding and slapping and beating and otherwise "abusing".)<br /><br />In one Tibetan Buddhist tradition there is the concept of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhicitta" rel="nofollow">"Bodhicitta."</a> As shown on Wikipedia it is a very rich concept.<br /><br />One short, practical definition of Bodhicitta is the practice of cultivating the desire or intent to become "Enlightened." That will result in the desire and willingness to learn and practice the How: Meditation, to be Compassionate, Virtuous, Diligent, etc.<br /><br />So, it seems the biggest question, the biggest problem for us all is "What is it?"<br /><br />Since it can not be explained or described where does one go; what does one do? Hence the practice of Bodhicitta. In more Zen like terms it's the Three Pillars: Great Faith. Great Doubt. Great Resolve.<br /><br />One of Eihei-ji abbots wrote on the main gate: "The tradition here is strict: no one however wealthy, important or wise may enter through this gate who is not wholehearted in the pursuit of truth." <br /><br /><b>Very, very tricky stuff!</b>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904219782540965444.post-62364093346574047712010-10-30T08:34:16.389-04:002010-10-30T08:34:16.389-04:00in gasshoin gasshosekishinnoreply@blogger.com