Shundo David Haye – Zen Priest

‘Once you have settled your posture and regulated your breathing, you should relax your abdomen. Do not think of any good or evil whatsoever. Whenever a thought occurs, be aware of it; as soon as you are aware of it, it will vanish. If you remain for a long period forgetful of objects, you will naturally become unified.  This is the essential art of sitting meditation. Honestly speaking, sitting meditation is the Dharma gate of ease and joy. If there are many people who become ill [from its practice], it is because they do not take proper care. If you grasp the point of this [practice], the four elements [of the body] will become light and at ease, the spirit will be fresh and sharp, thoughts will be correct and clear; the flavor of the Dharma will sustain the spirit, and you will be calm, pure, and joyful. One who has already achieved clarification [of the truth] may be likened to the dragon gaining the water or the tiger taking to the mountains. And even one who has not yet achieved it, by letting the wind fan the flame, will not have to make much effort. Just assent to it; you will not be deceived. Nevertheless, as the path gets higher, demons flourish, and agreeable and disagreeable experiences are manifold. Yet if you just keep right thought present, none of them can obstruct you. The Shurangama Sutra, Tiantai (Zhiyi’s) Zhi-guan (Small Stopping and Seeing), and Guifeng (Zongmi’s) Xiu-zheng-yi (Ceremony for Practice and Realization) give detailed explications of these demonic occurrences, and those who would be prepared in advance for the unforeseen should be familiar with them.’ (Zuochanyi)

If you are familiar with the Fukanzazengi, some of these phrases might sound a little familiar – the above title translates into Japanese as Zazengi. I don’t think Dogen made any claim that his writing was all his, but it is still quite striking how much he borrowed from this text, as well as other parts of the Chanyuan Qinggui, as he established the practice in Japan. These are some of the things that will be coming up in my class, starting this weekend.