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Unknown Date, Serial 00938
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The talk discusses the challenges of understanding religious teachings through preconceived notions, using the example of core statements from Judaism and Christianity. The speaker highlights the Zen perspective on reality through the metaphor of "mountains and rivers," emphasizing the concept of transcending appearances via the teachings of Dogen. The discourse concludes by referencing the Zen practice of the Four Vows, a commitment to continuous practice and enlightenment.
- Conceptual Metaphor: "Mountains are not mountains, and rivers are not rivers" - This metaphor is integral to understanding the Zen process of questioning and transcending immediate appearances to achieve deeper insight, as discussed by Dogen.
- Dogen Senji: Referred to the state of staying in illusions as living in the "stink of sin" or "the black cave of demons", emphasizing the need to move beyond superficial perceptions.
- The Four Vows: This traditional Zen recitation underlines the commitment to an infinite path of enlightenment and service, acknowledging the limitless nature of delusions and Dharma.
AI Suggested Title: Transcending Appearances: A Zen Perspective
Side:
A: Back Up
B:
Speaker: Steve Stuky
Location: SFZC
Possible Title: Why SFZC Abbot?
Additional text:
@AI-Vision_v003
Unexpected talk on side B.
But I also think that even the great religious traditions that you just mentioned, because the problem with them for us is that we don't come to them with a fresh mind. So if you think, for instance, about the central statement of Judaism, which is, hear, everybody. Listen up, guys. Everybody. The Lord is many. The Lord is one. What does that sound like? you know listen up guys it's everything it's one you know so what so even that is a mystery we don't know what the teaching of Jesus is and we don't know what the teaching of Abraham is we just don't know
[01:31]
We don't know what the impact was on the people around them. We don't know what the meaning of that teaching is. We think we know. If there's anyone who hasn't spoken who needs to speak, this would be a good time because we've got another minute or two of class. Charlie, Rosalie, anything? Bert? Mountains are not mountains and rivers are not rivers. Mountains are mountains and rivers are rivers. And this is where great faith, great doubt, and great determination come in. Because first, a mountain is a mountain and a river is a river.
[02:35]
Next, mountains are not mountains and rivers are not rivers. But if you stay in the world in which mountains are not mountains and rivers are not rivers, that's called the stink of sin. And it's called the black cave of demons by Dogen Senji. And it's not a good place to live. It's the place where... I think I've told this story before, but one time we were in Sashin in the 70s, and a very dear teacher from here was sitting Sashin. And the teacher's wife was sitting in the window sill, the window seat at the front door, and that little hexagonal table was there. And the baby was crying and crying. So as we came up from lunch, the baby was crying and crying. And the mother had the baby on that little hexagonal table and was trying to figure out what was going on with the baby.
[03:39]
And the guy who was sitting the sashin came along from lunch or whatever and saw his wife and kid and went like this. And was headed on. And the mother said, would you get over here and pick up... Take out the baby. Quit that bowing. And anyway, first, second, and last. So I think we have to stop. So to be continued. Unless you have one word that will work it all out for everybody. That's a good word. Okay. Thank you very much.
[04:41]
Should we do the four vows? Beings are numberless. I vow to save them. Delusions are inexhaustible. I vow to end them. Dharma gates are boundless. I vow to enter them. Buddha's way is unsurpassable. I vow to become it. Thank you very much.
[05:21]
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