Shundo David Haye – Zen Priest

‘Buddha-nature is not something solid or immovable, but rather an energy that motivates us to practice-and not just zazen or Buddhist practice. Buddha-nature is the fire of the life force that enables us to aspire to be better persons, to be more helpful to others, to settle into a healthy way of life, and to practice the Way. I’s difficult to find the fire of buddha-nature inside ourselves, but we must. It’s there. We are alive, so we have this force that drives us to practice and wake up to the reality of life. It may be only an ember, but all of us without exception have it. When we practice with other people, we gather together small fires. If we try to build a fire in a hibachi or firepot with a single piece of charcoal, it soon dies out. But even one tiny ember, if fed with charcoal, becomes a big fire. This is the meaning of sangha.’ (Living By Vow)

We looked at this passage in my Monday evening group last week. One of the participants observed that the description of Buddha-nature at the beginning sounded more like how bodhicitta, or way-seeking mind is described. I agreed, but then thought about what is it that causes the way-seeking mind to arise. It was one of several conversations in my teaching sessions that are helping illuminate what I want to say in my class that starts on Saturday.