Shundo David Haye – Zen Priest

‘Before a dharma talk we chant a verse that speaks to the unsurpassed, penetrating and perfect dharma. It is as if the teacher were going to talk about perfect dharma and now you have it to see and listen to from the teacher. However, this unsurpassed, penetrating and perfect dharma, which we have to see and listen to, and which we vow to taste via the truth of the Tathagatha’s words – this unsurpassed, penetrating and perfect dharma is all around you all the time. It has nothing to do with what the teacher is saying. We see the truth of things as they are, from the time we are born to the time we die. But we rarely meet it, because we’re so busy thinking about something else.’ (Seeds for a Boundless Life)

I picked up Blanche’s book when I was at Zen Center last week, as I knew it was full of wonderful teachings, some of which I heard when they were given. I don’t remember this one, but it is a great reminder, and I can hear these words in Blanche’s voice.