禅における Detachment = 無着無住の意味
表題としたこの言葉は，実は検策の為に書込まれ，ここにやって来た
もののーつです。簡単に言えば参禅者からの質問という事でしょう。
－－－で，この機会を使ってこれに対する僕流の所見を書いてみます。
禅を云々する上で最も決定的な大前提となるのは「禅は到達する
境地ではなく，悟りに至るプロセス，単なる作業修業のーつである」
という事です。禅は月ではなくそれを指す指，あるいは指している動作
に過ぎません。＝ ではその動作がいかにして悟りにつながるのか？
これは仏教史の中で完璧に見過ごされて来た事ですが，仏教の修業，
勤行の延々と続く繰り返しの中に鍵があったのです。
仮にぐるぐると歩くにしろ，太鼓をたたき続けるにしろ，延々と
続く作業の神経情報処理は人間の脳内でルーチンとして自動的に
処理されるようになり，一方延々と繰返される刺激に対しては
情動的閾値が髙くなり無感動で処理されるようになります。
これは毎日座り続ける座禅においても同様で，遅かれ早かれ人間の頭
には全作業を自動的，かつ無感情で処理する習慣が身についていきます。
実はこれが禅で言う無我無心に外ならず，このメンタリティを持って
物事に対処する事が無着無住と言う事です。
－－－で，これが悟りとどう関わるのか？
＝執着を離れ，情動に翻弄される事も無くなったら，後いったい何の
気懸り苦労が残るのか？ 気懸りなしに生きられるなら，そうして
気懸りなしに死んで往けるならこれ以上の自由（解脱）は無い訳です。
つまりこれが涅槃です。
－－－－－（あっけに取られたとか？）
___/\___
——————————————
追記：
反覆動作のルーチン化とか毎日通り過ぎる道端の看板を見飽きて
それが全く気に止まらなくなる（存在しているにもかかわらず，
存在しないのと同様になってしまう）現象は，本人が自分で経験
して把み取る以外には学びようがないものです。
つまり無我無心，無着無住と簡単に言う事はできても，
こればかりは人から教えられ言葉の意味を理解しても本人が
経験して身につけない限りは何の足しにもなりません。
何故ならそれは知的理解ではなく脳内での情報処理の短絡化＝
情動域（＝偏桃体＝入力された情報に自己帰属の夕グを付ける＝
所有物や家族を見分けられる）の関与の排除，そこでの処理の
ジャンプ（自己意識抜きに物事を処理する）なのでこの回路が
作られない限り無心としての処理は機能しない。
理屈や知識では自転車に乗れるようにならないのと同じです。
現実には直弟子ですら必ずしもそれを体得できていなかった為に
釈尊はいまわの際になってすら｢人の言葉を信じるな。自分で
体得せよ」と繰返さねばならなかったのです。
逆に見れば，仏教史に登場する異説異論は実は無我無心を体得
できなかった者が，その言い訳，目くらましの為にいい加減な
作り話しをやっていたのではとの疑いが涌いてきます。
この点から見ると龍樹（ナガールジュナ）あたりが最もクサい。
本当に無心無住の境に達していた人間がはたして龍宮のハナシまで
デッチ上げて，あそこまで派手なセールスキャンペーンをやるか？？？
『大乗印のエスパーベルト，これであなたも即，菩薩に変身〜！』
えっ！？冗談でしょ？
（実践に依る人間改造ではなく，思い込みを利用した盲信への変質です）
————————————
Yoshizen Phenomena
Alongside the peculiar phenomenon found in the Google Search, such as
“Yoshi – Zappa” which lead to my circular fisheye photo on the top page,
or “Tiny Life Egg” which lead to my photo of the Green lacewings’ Egg
( = on top of the 3.4 million items on their list,)
— the search term “Art Figure – St. Lucia” will have this image
on the top page of the 850,000 items in their listing.
Really ? —- is this an Art ?
Isn’t any better art work or painting of
St. Lucia exist in the world such as the
Spanish old masters religious paintings ?
—– I have no idea how the algorithm of google,
worked-out to select an image of a twisted wire.
Never the less, this is the Google certified “Art”
on top of the million items. 😀 😀
Even more peculiar phenomenon was, the artist
can recognize this as an art in one glance,
while holding the breath. (If you think otherwise, you are not the artist. 😀 )
[]
The same question again. Is this an art or even a sculpture ? If this was a
sculpture, where IS the sculpted substance ? We are seeing a mere contour of
something. Something of What ?
—– to see, it was a frightened woman while she was hit by a blue line (purported
to be a lightning from the God) 🙂 was in fact in the mind of the viewer.
—– otherwise it was just a twisted wire. —– And in its contour, we are seeing a
woman’s body — are we ? Where is the body. = it IS just an empty space between
the wire isn’t it ? —– You believe this or not, this is the very ZEN Buddhism.
(In the term of the liberated mind and the eyes, the mind of complete selfless
Buddhist is very close to the complete open minded artist. — and the children.)
[]
What you are seeing is the wire and the VOID between. Seeing the twisted wire and
in the same time, to see it was a figure of the woman in one glance. (Without hear or
read any explanation still capture the meaning instant, by a naked subconscious.)
To know the meanings in one glance while seeing its twisted wire as it is. = This is
the clear eyes and the mind. Indeed, this is what the Buddhism teaches. We might
be seeing just a contour or shadow, and the substance may there or may not =
Who can see everything anyway ? = and, does it a matter ?
—– as long as we can see its clear face and the meaning, we know what we have to do
and how to live without being bothered by a wrong thinking.
This IS the very enlightenment. (You may say what is the difference between a wrong
thinking or delusion to the clear mind. = the former was a result of the thinking with
a lots of desire and the greed kind so on, and the later will come only on the moment,
without thinking, like as an intuitive, spontaneous reflection.
(= this is the reason why, Zen never give a second thought or negotiation.) =
The interaction of the million factors in the Karma gave very reflection of very moment.
And that was what the Dharma gave the person to pick. —– this Confidence “To be with
the Dharma” is the core of the Enlightenment, hence no hindrance in the life though,
on the face, it looks the life just as it IS = it’s mean no fancy magic or mysterious
supernatural manifestation = hence it was described as common and ubiquitous
as a Dog Shit. = if anybody was saying something “Special Enlightenment” it is a sign
of that the person haven’t learnt what the Zen Buddhism IS.)
[]
So, look at the photo again. What do you think of this. —– do you see, is the VOID
between the wire, still a meaningful existence ? (or the illusion ? = Did the Google too,
saw the illusion and said that this IS the Art ? ? ? Ha ha ha ! )
___/\___
PS[]
Poetry Contest (2)
Not necessary having a thought, I suddenly realized that the story of the Poetry Contest of Huineng and Shenxui was not right. Its contest was the 5th patriarch, Hongren try to find who should succeed him and become 6th patriarch of the Zen. Unlike the other sect of Buddhism, Zen does their learning without rely on the words. = the action in the practice or a thing or phenomenon trigger the understanding.
So, the founder of Rinzai Zen, Rinzai said to have uttered that, “On the way, (may mean Pathway) when you saw the scriptures, through them away. When you saw the monks kill them or met Lord Buddha, kill him too.” —– (this advice was meant be getting rid of any notion, and empty the mind.)
[]On the said Poetry Contest, for the answer to the Hongren’s request to show the Zen mind, well-learned top-rank monk, Shenxui wrote “Mind is like a mirror, I polish the mirror diligently for no dust to settle on it” —– opposing to this, one low rank monk, Huineng wrote “Since Mirror is not exists in the first place, where could dust settle”
—– Hongren found that Huineng has much deeper understanding in Zen, he chose Huineng to be his successor.
[]Zen teaching was started by Bodhidharma on 5th century. Though, as a matter of fact, there were numerous legend and myth about Bodhidharma but little historical facts were known, therefore any story has to be treated with a pinch of salt.
—–When Bodhidharma wanted to choose his successor, there was a similar story. He asked his disciples “Can each of you say something to demonstrate your understanding ?”
Dao Fu stepped forward and said, “It is not bound by words and phrases, nor is it separate from words and phrases. This is the function of the Tao.”
Bodhidharma: “You have attained my skin.”
The nun Zong Chi stepped up and said, “It is like a glorious glimpse of the realm of Akshobhya Buddha. Seen once, it need not be seen again.”
Bodhidharma; “You have attained my flesh.”
Dao Yu said, “The four elements are all empty. The five skandhas are without actual existence. Not a single dharma can be grasped.”
Bodhidharma: “You have attained my bones.”
Finally, Huike came forth, bowed deeply in silence and stood up straight.
Bodhidharma said, “You have attained my marrow.”
Bodhidharma passed on the symbolic robe and bowl of dharma succession to Huike and, some texts claim, a copy of the Lankavatara Sutra.
Bodhidharma then either returned to India or died. (This story from Wikipedia)
(There was the conflicting stories, —– He might returned to Persia. Or even killed in the mass execution at Heyin in 528.) []
My doubt was that why Shenxui, studying under Hongren did have such poor understanding ? (While Huineng who was working in the kitchen could still pick up the Zen understanding from overheard conversation of other monks.)
And the same question goes to the colleagues of Huike too. = they were no ordinary monks, THE direct disciples of Bodhidarma. As they lives together, they must have lots of discussion even arguments. —– still keep maintaining such variety of idea = quite logical and full of blah blah, but where the “Teachings of the Master” which was supposedly on the principle of Void and abhorrence to the words, has gone ?
And, what was the 5th Patriarch, Hongren’s understanding and the teachings of “mind” ? —– (Was he thinking, “There is Zen Mind” ? )
— Who recorded those stories ? — Was that came from the diary of Hongren ? — weren’t those stories made-up to glorify each Huineng and Huike ? ? ?
While making others looks fool = makes stories interesting. And this kind of practice was behind of all those compilation of “Sutra” or scriptures. It’s mean, we need very critical sharp eyes to distinguish what was the true teachings. 🙂
___/\___
[]
Hoben (方便) / Upaya — (2)
Most of the books I refer to, are I brought from Japan and unless I need to find
the English word, I do not look into Wiki kind. —– So, I tell you the truth,
until few days ago, I didn’t know that there a Sanskrit word for Hoben (方便), Upaya
existed. In Japan Hoben is a widely used word spread out of the Buddhism,
which has an extended meaning of “convenient mean” or “easy alternative” kind,
and the original Buddhist context was masked by those common usage.
Lord Buddha’s witty teachings, which was timely and suit to the occasion, or to
the person speaking to, is a well known stories, hence those witty talk style has
been adapted by the Zen talk, or even by the children’s comic book “Ikkyu-san”.
As its casual use became so common, we almost forgotten it had a Buddhism origin.
—– So that, to find this word, “Upaya” really surprised me, not because of its
meaning but the attitude, the ancient monk did created a dedicated nickname for
Lord Buddha’s talking style, yet still, they couldn’t find the meaning of
Lord Buddha’s silence.
[]
Do you talk about the prostitute or prostitution in public ? I don’t think you do.
It’s a dirty talk and officially, it’s not exist in your life. And if it’s not in the society,
neither a word prostitution exists. It’s mean, even if anybody asked about it, you
can not understand what it mean nor able to answer.
To Lord Buddha, talking about Atman or Self never happened, because no such things
of the Self exists and to talk about a thing which is not exists was nothing but a
delusion and it is a dirty talk. Because of it is not exists and as he doesn’t have, it was
no use to make a question about the Self or its reincarnation to him, because
he wouldn’t answer anyway, since even no word, no notion was there.
= This was the reason why, to those questions, there was no answer from
Lord Buddha at all.
[]
And when the teaching was related to the Self, there was no explanatory words
but to show the practice which would lead to the “Selfless State of the mind” —–
or just to give a smile, otherwise (if you can’t get it), the excommunication.
(This was the reason why no explanation of “No Self” was in the scripture.
—– either it was omitted because of the conflict with the Hinduism or it couldn’t
be written down because, no such things like a Self exists.)
(In Buddhism, especially in Zen, there is nothing between Yes and No.
Yes mean 200% commitment but if it was No, even a word No itself is no longer exist.
= it is not a denial or even an argument but a total erasure = the subject, the matter
is completely disappeared. = hence no psychological conflict.
When no-self, there is even no subject, who is thinking the matter.)
___/\___
[]
HOBEN (方便) / Upaya — in Buddhism
In one before previous post, “Why live”, the author of the book Dr. Ogoshi was
saying that the Hoben (方便) (upaya = Sanskrit) = the mean or way (to lead others to
the Enlightenment) as the vital part of the human relation therefore that makes
the Reason to live.
[]
Among the religions, the only one asking the followers “to understand (the matter)”
is the Buddhism. All others need just believe what was said or written.
With this reason, only the Buddhism having a notion of Direct transmission or
Hoben/upaya and the Pathway. All those are just the mean and the process. —–
Why those mean or process was talked about, but not the goal itself was = that
because, the goal couldn’t be explained, even if anybody knows. Because, it is Void.
Indeed, it’s a funny religion and the strange deal = on the end, you may get the Void
at its best. If it was short of best, you get nothing. Get nothing, yet even if you did
the best, get Void ! —– How Fantastic ! ! !
( at least the another religion is promising the heaven or paradise kind of good deal!
— whether it was fraud or not in the eyes of Advertising Standard Authority.)
[]
In the famous Kisa Gotami story, what she was instructed was to obtain the
mustard seeds from the house never had bereavement. — After knocking all
the doors in the village, and running all the day, she was convinced that the
bereavement is the truth of human existence. —– The advice of
Lord Buddha, “To save the dead child, it need to get the mustard seeds” was not
necessary true though, the action she took, definitely brought her the enlightenment
and helped her to overcome a sorrow of the lost child. —– And to give such a good
advice and lead the person to get enlightened IS the Mahayana Buddhist duty.
(It must be much harder to enlighten the other. Who got the brain of
Lord Buddha, in this world today ? ! )
___/\___
[]
PS: In the mainstream Buddhism, Kisa Gotami’s story
was understood only as a sample of Hoben shown by
Lord Buddha. But, what I’ve been talking about is, its contributory effect of
“Repeating Actions” (running and knocking all the doors next by next) to her
brain function. = (Repeating input to the brain lead the apathetic response =
input would be handled emotionally detached = this is all about
the Buddhist’s practice and the VOID in the mind.)
[]
Blinds and Elephant
Among the millions of metaphors human culture has, the one such as
“Moon and Pointing Finger” was known to be associated with Zen Buddhism.
A story of the Blinds and Elephant was too widely known and seemed to have
lost its origin. But this story/metaphor has Buddhist origin too, and this
metaphor was exactly about the Buddhists themselves, was forgotten.
[]
There are tens if not hundreds of the descriptions to explain Buddhism. Such as
Mushin, Void, Mindfulness, Middle way, Clear-eyes, Detachment, Impermanence,
Ichijo, Compassion, Dharma, Karma, Delusion, Contemplation, Enlightenment,
— etc etc. So that, the people whether believer or the outsider, they think that
there are many aspects, or the elements in the Buddhism which necessitates to
master next by next — though, it is the utter misunderstanding or misguided idea.
[]
Since those Notion and the Words were used to describe a state of the mind,
people were made to believe that such each state IS exists. = Just same as
one blind man told while touching its flapping ear saying “The Elephant is a
soft thin disk just like a nan bread” and the other said “Oh, it is a very thick
rubbery hose, like a vacuum car’s hose” etc etc.
—– The trouble to deal with Buddhism was, that the most of its phenomena,
state of the mind are in the subconscious of the person, hence it is invisible to
the people, even to the person himself. Inevitably, all those descriptions were
nothing but a guess work of the person, mixed with the hearsay. —– It’s mean,
a person who couldn’t even see the own mind speaking about the Buddhism, let
alone whether he himself had reached to the level to know what the Buddhism is.
[]
Typical sample of it in these days is, the fashion of “Mindfulness” even in a kind of
business lecture ! The most funny things about this word “Mindfulness”, there is
NO Japanese or Chinese word of this notion exists. = It was a western invention or
made-up —– probably, a sham doctor selling miracle portion kind of “Zen monk”
had used the word first, while having a misunderstanding that the Zen is “a kind of
concentration of the mind”.
If you know about the Zen Buddhism a little bit, you may know the word “Mushin =
Mind of no-mind” —– sound somewhat opposite of “Mindfulness” though, as a state
of the mind, those two is in-separable one. (and nothing like a concentration at all =
Zen is a completely relaxed, open, detached mind = hence No-mind / Void = in fact,
all those different explanations were about the same state —– the person who said,
didn’t know the real situation / state in his real experience — came from hearsay )
= So, it is clear, the person who is using a word “Mindfulness” is a person who is
pretending to know the Zen Buddhism, (and telling “It’s a hose of vacuum-car”) 😀
[]
—– A funny story in Japan is, one of the big University, Waseda Uni’ has a
student group called “Mindfulness Society” = obviously following a book (or two)
written by the westerner. —– Or, they might have learned that “Mindfulness is no
longer the Buddhism but New religion” = Cool western religion !
— What a hose. 😀
___/\___
[]
仏教の行と大脳生理 (Effects of Practice)
(This is the Japanese version of previous post = Key Mechanism in Zen Buddhists Mind and in its brain function.)
ここまでのいくつかのポストで，原始仏典のアーガマ（阿含）経から大乗仏典のほとんど全てに至る
までがいかにヒンズー教に書変えられていたかを書きましたが，
それにもかかわらずいったいどのようにして
釈尊の無私，無心，空の教えが失なわれること無く２５００年の永きに亘って受け継がれて来てい
たのか？－－－実はここに仏教を仏教たらしめる核心があり，そこに表立って書かれる事の無
かった［行］の問題があったのです。
［］
仏教では宗派にかかわらずどこでも信者や修行僧に延々と続く勤行を勤めさせます。
それは延々と題目を唱えたりあるいは太鼓をたたいたり，ぐるぐる歩き続けたり
（比叡山での修行とはひたすらこれである－－－若い頃禅に傾到したアップルの故スティーブ．
ジョブスが延々と歩かされて頭に来たと言うのは有名な話，
中には水を満した丼を持ってぐるぐる歩くなどという［行］をさせる寺が中国に在る。
あるいは座禅とともに特別な呼吸法を習得させたりもします。
しかし何故このような［行］をさせるのか？－－－実はこうした［行］自体に特別な意味が有るわけ
では無く，それをすることで条件付けされる脳の側に要点が有ったのです。
［］
人の脳は受覚した情報を処理する時，全ての情報を等しく扱う訳ではありません。
間断なく，五感から入力される情報に加え体の内部情報や運動器官からのフィードバックｅｔｃと，
処理せねばならぬ情報は将に膨大でそれの処理をいかに合理化，効率化するかは生体維持の
生理作用同様に極めて重要な問題なのです。（入力される毎秒１１００万ビットに対し脳が取
込める情報はせいぜい毎秒１６〜５０ビットが限界と言われる）
完璧な健康を維持できていても敵の発見が一瞬遅かっただけで全てが無駄になってしまう。
可能な限り自動化，自律化し処理量を減らす事が生存のキーなのです。 従って脳に達する情報
は，その刺激の強度に拘わりなくその重要度（価値観，損得好嫌，危険性など）に応じて処理され
る訳で重要度ナシと分類されたものは完璧に無視される。
あるいは同ーの刺激が繰返される場合，それを評価する閾値 (threshold) が高くなりそれに達し
ない強度の情報を無視するという対応も取られます。
（臭いや騒音に慣れたり，毎日見ている物が注意を引かなくなるｅｔｃ）
［］
脳の情報処理で重要な事は，この情報の評価分類は生理作用のコントロールにも関与する
大脳古皮質の情動域で行なわれているという事です。
感情が大脳新皮質での価値評価の思考と決定的に異なる点はそれが『己れ』の利益（損得，
安全，生存）に直結した直観的判断に立つという事と，同時にホルモンの分泌をともなっている事で
す。危険の徴候を目撃し“ヤバイ”と感じた瞬間にアドレナリンが分泌され脈拍，血圧が急上昇，防
御や逃走に即応する。しかし危険性も無くあまり損得に関係の無い，延々と繰返される勤行となる
とその同一パターンの情報は感情的には全く無価値，無害のものとして無視され，情動域を素通り
して処理されるようになります。 一方，体の所作は脳の運動領域にパターンとして刷り込まれ
体は自動的に動くようになる。
［］
＝つまり延々と続く勤行は『己れ』という利害意識に関わる事なく，自動的に処理されるようになる訳で，
実にこれが仏教における勤行の機能だったのです。つまりこれが
釈尊の教えの核であった無私，無心の現象に外ならず長年この勤行を（無条件に受け容れ）
続けるうちに物事を感情抜きに淡々と処理する心理，脳の対応が身に付いていく。
我執，我欲の源である情動域を素通りしてしまうので我にからんだ妄念に捕われる事も無く，
そもそも執着が無い。 これは元々誰もが脳の中に持って生れている情報処理簡略化のメカニズム
で，何ら特別の現象でも，まして神秘的なものでもありません。 これが，無私が全ての人に普遍で
ある事，かつダルマ（法）が万人に内包されていると言われる根拠に他ならないのです。
この［行］の伝統が保たれていたからこそ，仏教の真髄は今日まで綿々と保たれて来ていた。
つまりその［行］からもたらされる無我無心が実に仏敎の真髄＝空無に外なりません。[行]を経て何か気の利いた観念や思想に到達するのではなく、そうした観念や思想のかけらすらも無い空っぽに至る。これが悟りといふものです。
空無であり、何も存在していないのだからそれを形容描写する事もできない。しかしそれの解っていない坊主が無理をして話を作ったものだから後世の仏教は怪し気なオトギ咄で溢れた。そもそも合理主義者の
釈尊が輪廻転生は元より三千世界などを夢想していた筈が無い。＝だからこそアーガマ経の中には夢想も空想的奇跡も登場して来ないのです。（前世が無いから生来のカ一ストも無く、当然、サンガにカーストの区別は無かった。）
－－－－－
(それでは，同様に万人に共通な感情，情動はどうなのかと言う疑問が出て来ますが，)
単純な因果関係を見ただけで情動域での判断傾向，欲やエゴ，愛憎執着がトラブルの種になる
事は有っても悟りを開き静寂な生を得るには何の足しにもならないと見たのが
釈尊であったのです。（だからこそ情動域の関与抜き、無心に作業する事が教えられた＝キサーゴータミに教えられたのは何の観念でもなく、只走り回る事であった）
（ーーーで，すったもんだの騒々しい人生を送って来た僕個人としては，
騒さいへビーメタルロックも悪くないとは思うのですが） （笑）
___/\___
（必読＝修行での矛盾）
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Key Mechanism in Zen Buddhists Mind
While you were walking, you never thought how to move the foot for next step and
to read this blog you were not aware that your eyes is following the letters next by next.
This is what we called “Selfless State of the Mind” and you never expect to create the
money out of walking itself (itself mean, not such a thing to find a coin on the street or to
reach the place to do the business = they are the by-product or benefit from the walking.)
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For the people who want to get the Mushin or Selfless state in Zen, this kind of natural
Selflessness seems to be too casual and too far from the Buddhists practice though, it is
a matter of the mind-set which expect “More elaborated fashionable practice”.
But if you were a Prisoner of War and was ordered to walk to a camp 100 miles away —–
the mind-set might make the difference of life or death.
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When a task was given by an order or from a situation in the life, first, it’s needed to
have a “Contemplation” some time interpreted as an acceptance, giving-up (to resist) or
determination to take the task (which ever it was passive or more positive, active way).
—–> And as it was accepted = no way else to go = have to face
the task head-on (this is called “Mindfulness”).
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So, just get on the life (task). Whether it was walking or small manual practice to do,
JUST DO, regardless whether it looks endless and boring.
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When we do repeated endless task, our brain rise the threshold of the importance of
the signal = and whole process would be categorized as neither flesh nor important.
= Brain start to process the matter without referring the signal to the Emotional
region of the brain (in the old cortex) and it become as a routine.
In the same time, whole action process would be programmed into the Motor region
and become to an automatic action. —–> Hence, our brain does the task without
Emotion (=Detachment), without needs of thinking (since it was routine and
done in automatic) = = = This is MUSHIN.
And the task was just a repeated insignificant mundane task = no special interest
could dwell there = nothing to arose EGO or GREED. = = = This is the SELFLESSNESS.
JUST DO IT.
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Once the person get used with “Desensitized perception” even other-things would be
seen detached as well. = No Emotional involvement to the useless matters in the life.
= = = This is the peaceful quiet life to be a Buddhist. 🙂
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And this, neuroscience, brain physiology behind our subconscious was the key
mechanism of the Lord Buddha’s teachings of the Selflessness and the Void.
Also, this was the reason why, despite the mambo-jumbo in the scriptures, the core
of the teachings were kept intact in a tradition of the Practice.
(The Buddhists on the street doesn’t read the scriptures anyway.= They only
taught and know the Buddhism in the Practice. = such as just chanting the title.)
___/\___
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Think yourself — Why ?
“Don’t believe what others said. Think yourself” was the most famous last teachings of
Lord Buddha in his death bed. Buddhism is not a religion to recites the words in the
book (repeat the same words million times makes a man to believe it ) or arguing how
to interpret the meaning with rhetoric, but just practice and get understanding.
Therefore, in this context, the use of the word “Think” may not to be the correct word
= instead, “Feel and Grasp” “Find and Understand” would be better, because as I said,
the Buddhism is not a religion of what you Think and Remember but who you become,
down to the subconscious level.
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See a simple situation. Somebody taught you the Walking Zen saying “By walking
round and round, you can get rid of all your thoughts, and get Mushin, the Mind of
No-Mind. This is the another way of meditation which purifying your mind.”
—– Well, the words must be well remembered and a word Mushin must be stuck
to the mind. ~~~~~ Then, walk round and round —– while a thought of
“Have I got Mushin or yet ?” coming up again and again and haunt you. 😀 😀
(Instructor should have told you just “Follow me”. It’s difficult to see a quality
of the instructor = well spoken friendly instructor tend to get more attendance.
It’s a paradox Sir ! ) 😀
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When No-Mind, No-Self was the matter,
teach it by the word is self-contradiction. = I think,
Lord Buddha didn’t teach it in such a way, but just showed how to do, expecting
that the followers can get the Selfless Mushin naturally through the practice.
(Please read the Post : [Test of Selflessness]) (And remember Kisa Gotami’s story =
She was just made running around without having any explanation ! )
Though, among the followers, someone pretending to be wiser, started to give an
own explanation what was the intention of practice or meaning of Selflessness.
But as I said, to explain it by the word is the Self-contradiction, for instance,
“ Do this without thinking is the No-Mind, No-Self” — though, to have this notion
in the Mind IS against the No-Mind = nothing but a Self-contradiction.
So that, there is no way else to learn No-Self other than “Do the practice
and find it by oneself.” —– (Same situation to learn how to ride a bicycle
= absolutely no word will help, but to learn it yourself ! —– And once learned,
you ride it automatic = no thinking is needed there. )
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Lexical communication is based on the words which is the categorized, abstract
notion, hence, it rely on the high-level process in the brain which we call thinking.
Bypassing those thinking process and leave the judgement, or action to the
old intuitive part of the brain called Limbic System, = is
“What Mushin and the Selflessness meant.”
This is why “Don’t believe what others said. Think yourself = Experience yourself and
discover the fact, that the things can be done without thinking = in Selfless Mushin.”
So, if it was Selfless, who did this = It was done by the Dharma !
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—– Still, this episode exposed a serious situation then. In a very last moment, WHY
Lord Buddha had to give such basic instruction to the most closest disciples.
= It signify the fact, that
Lord Buddha did aware that his disciples haven’t fully understood
what his teachings of No-Self was.
(And it explains why the Buddhism have had deviated in such early stage
and mixed up with the Hinduism.)
___/\___
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Cosmos
In that “Instant Flower Meadow” I found the Cosmos !
— You may wonder why it makes a news ? = Cosmos is one of the most
common (wild)flower in Japan, especially in a late summer, even though
it came to Japan about 120 years ago. (It was originated from the Mexico,
and taken to the Spain about 230 years ago then spread to everywhere.)
But, in here I’ve seen the Cosmos only handful times, and this is the one !
(= It’s a good question why Cosmos got out of favour in England. )
Still, as it spread to the wild in Japan, if you see a field or disused land,
the chances are, you will see either Cosmos if not Susuki (You may not
think, Susuki is a Flower though) otherwise a bush of Yellow rod.
(Strangely you may think, that notorious Japanese Knotweed is not
spread in Japan. —– Obviously, they like the England more. 😀 )
When the Cosmos fills a field, they do literally end to end.
And they are as toll as 1 m, 1.5 m or even taller.
And this kind of flower meadow was what I remembered as a child.
(So the photo above shows how the Cosmos field looks like in Japan
—– Photos from Maki Yamamoto’s site)
Their variation of color is from white to deep pink. — There is
also yellow one but, we don’t call it Cosmos. 🙂
On the end of the summer, under the dark blue sky and be in a
Cosmos field, which seemed to stretch as far as I could see, and
the fragile Cosmos are trembling in the first wind of Autumn.
The field became an Universe. (= Cosmos !)
—– was one of my Proto-image with nostalgia.
(A burnt down city, thanks to American Bombing, Tokyo was
almost a wild field then. —– it’s mean, lots of flowers survived the fire, or
scorched land was quickly covered by the plants from surrounding area. )
So, for me, the flower photo is not just for a fun to the eyes, but
a clue to trace back mental landscape as well.
(That’s why they are fuzzy. 🙂 )
—–
Photos here were taken by the Two Element Homemade Lens
(with or without Extension Ring) on Canon 5D Mk-III
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