This week Roshi continued our discussion of Dogen’s Zuimonki.   To reiterate, the Zuimonki is a collection of casual discussions Dogen had with his students collected by one of his students, Ejo.  This week we moved onto book #4 with Roshi opening with the first passage…

 

Students of the Way, you should not cling to your own views. Even if you have some understanding, you should practice self-reflection; there must be something lacking to your understanding and there might be a more profound understanding for you. Visit various teachers far and wide and investigate the sayings of our predecessors. Yet do not cling too firmly even to the words of those of former times. Nevertheless, thinking that your views might be mistaken, even though you believe them to be true, if there is something superior you should follow it.

 

Roshi asked as to think about current events like the recent US elections.  Do they really have a direct effect in our day-to-day life?  – Not really!  If this is the case, why do we get so worked up over it.  Could it be the personal views and values we hold onto so desperately?  Dogen is telling us that these views, while potentially correct, will always cause us pain and suffering.  Roshi reminded us about Dogen’s injunction that everything will disappoint us in the end, and personal views are no different.  What is more, to the extent we cling to these personal values and refuse to let go, will determine the extent of our suffering.  Looking at current events, it should come as no surprise that individuals who hold most zealously to ideology suffer the most.  Does this mean we should be completely apathetic?  Of course not, however caring comes at a cost and we must keep perspective and ensure that our energies are directed in a skillful way. 

 

Roshi next moved onto passage #2 in Book 4…

The National Teacher Echu of Nanyo asked the imperial attendant priest Rin, “Where did you come from?”

The attendant priest replied, “I came from south of the city.”

The Master said, “What is the color of the grass there?”

The attendant priest replied, “It is yellow.”

The Master inquired of a young boy who was serving as the master’s personal attendant, “What is the color of the grass south of the city?”

The boy said, “It is yellow.”

The Master said, “Even this boy can receive the purple robe and talk about the profound truth to the emperor at the court.”  

 

Here Dogen is pointing out that just because someone is an “authority” does not give them any deeper insight into the common-sense reality we all exist within.  We see this today.  Why should we be influenced by entertainment celebrities when voting for national leaders?  Yes, we should respect people in their area of specialization and talent, but outside of that, they are just as deluded as everyone else.  Roshi pointed out that wisdom is all around us.  When exploring the deep questions of life, common sense and practical wisdom is all you really need! 

 

Roshi wrapped up with passage #3 in Book 4 …

 

The primary point you should attend to is detaching yourself from personal views. To detach yourself from personal views means to not cling to your body. Even if you have thoroughly studied the words and stories of the ancient masters and have been practicing zazen continuously and immovably like iron or rock, if you cling to your body and do not detach yourself from it you will be unable to attain the Way of the buddhas and patriarchs in ten thousand eons or a thousand lifetimes.

 

This is an interesting passage which implies that the mind and the body are really one thing and are deeply related.  Much of our personal view comes from the reality we construct from our senses and which are processed through the body.  This is why we talk about acting from the “gut” or having a “visceral dislike of a person.”  Dogen is saying that if you are going to let go of your biases, delusions, and personal views, you also need to let go of the idea of a permanent and abiding body.  If we hold on to this, then we will never really escape ego attachment.