Now, returning home
Question: I have been practicing in life—observing my actions and thoughts with awareness. Over the years, nothing has happened; I have never reached a state of enlightenment or joy.
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First, we must understand what the purpose of practice is. The purpose of practice is to remove the suffering of the present moment and to live happily and peacefully in the now.
It is not for pursuing some future enlightenment, achieving a permanent state of liberation, or eternal unchanging joy; nor is it for learning certain Buddhist teachings, insights, or doctrines.
In a sense, seeking enlightenment or learning certain Buddhist teachings, insights, and doctrines serves only this present purpose.
Do not get it backwards by treating enlightenment as a goal of practice while missing out on experiencing and being aware of life in the present. The present moment is the center and focus of all practice.
All awakening and liberation start from the present moment and return to it. The present is both this shore and that shore; confusion or enlightenment, becoming a Buddha or being sentient beings all unfold here.
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If you seek enlightenment, you must first understand the purpose behind seeking it. Beyond that, you need to grasp what enlightenment truly is—what exactly are you awakening to? Then you need to understand how to achieve this awakening.
Only by understanding these three aspects can you set off on your journey effectively toward your goal.
The purpose of enlightenment serves living happily in the present moment; so what counts as enlightenment? Enlightenment means understanding and realizing that everything “was once different from now.”
For example, previously you firmly believed that a mountain was just a mountain and water was just water; now you realize that it isn’t so. Previously you firmly thought flowers were flowers and birds were birds; now you recognize that they aren’t;
previously you firmly identified yourself as someone specific; now you realize that you’re not… All these instances are what constitute awakening.
Awakening allows your mind not to settle on any particular form. If there’s something to settle on, then that’s when you’ve awakened from one understanding only to become confused by another understanding. For instance, if previously you thought of yourself as an ordinary person,
but now recognize yourself as a Buddha instead—that’s an example of having one insight while falling into another confusion because you’ve come out from identifying with an “ordinary person” identity,
only to get lost in identifying with a “Buddha” identity—that’s having one insight yet falling into confusion again; similarly, if before you thought mountains were mountains but now realize mountains are not mountains but true suchness,
then again you’ve had one insight yet fallen into confusion—you’ve detached from identifying with mountains but lost yourself in identifying with true suchness.
Awakening means your mind has no resting place at all. You have a starting point but no resting place. Our starting point consists of our previous misconceptions about things,
while we have no resting point. In this sense, awakening is a journey that has a beginning but no end. You start from “is” or “isn’t” and end at great wisdom without conclusion.
Recognizing mountains as mountains, recognizing water as water, recognizing yourself as yourself… Previously we were like little dogs constantly holding onto some bone in our mouths; now we face the entire sky without needing to bite down,
nor do we need to bite down at all. Because we’re not constantly holding onto something in our mouths anymore, it’s easier for us to enjoy various foods—awakening allows us to experience abundance and freedom like this.
Do not think that awakening is vague, abstract, or non-specific. No—it’s concrete, real, everywhere. An enlightened person awakens through any encounter they meet,
responding appropriately according to circumstances. Wherever there’s confusion there’s also awakening; if there’s no confusion then there can be no distinction between being awakened or not.
Do not assume that awakening is guaranteed; it only pertains when there’s confusion.
Where there’s one confusion there’s one awakening; where there’s one awakening there’s one liberation. If there’s neither confusion nor awakening then liberation becomes irrelevant.
Confusion, awakening, liberation—all these concepts are created by the mind—can you understand? They arise from mental processes. If you can grasp this point and remain vigilant against your mind’s tricks,
avoiding getting pulled into its traps—that will allow you both distance from confusion and distance from false notions of awakening achieving an extraordinary state akin to Buddhahood itself. In some sense,
being confused is indeed confusing while thinking oneself awakened also leads back into confusion—why? Because both mechanisms operate similarly: they are both products generated by the mind.
Therefore do not overly trust in your own notions about awakening; if you’re too trusting then you’ve fallen back into delusion again because you’re dragged back into dark caves created by your own thoughts.
The best practice does not discuss delusion nor does it discuss enlightenment—it simply remains vigilant against falling prey to mental constructs while continuously maintaining awareness regarding experiences
related directly with current realities—that’s enough! What use is discussing delusion or talking about enlightenment? That would merely be going around mountains again after circling waters further away! Thus,
feel free not concerning yourself whether you’re enlightened or not but rather remain alert throughout life living presently without getting lost within thoughts—that’s sufficient! Seeking after whether one awakens truly isn’t necessary;
it’s like planting flowers: sowing seeds leads roots sprouting forth—whether they bloom isn’t something for which you’d worry! Without patience or steadiness during practice seeking after realization may lead only deeper into foggy illusions!
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But since we desire realization how should we begin? Certainly starting with any specific thing within this very moment will suffice—for instance:
You could start observing a tree right here right now—or perhaps begin with examining stones—or maybe flowers—or even bamboo brushes—a duster—a finger tapping against bed sounds—the sound flowing water etc.,
Or even begin contemplating who exactly engages in Zen meditation itself! In short—all things occurring presently serve as keys unlocking doors towards true reality!
Delve deeply into these objects starting first by comprehending their names followed subsequently through everything reflected therein until penetrating origins behind names themselves enabling arrival at correct discernment concerning heart & distinctions.
Then delve further regarding relationships between heart & distinctions thus allowing recognition leading towards accurate cognitions concerning heart—via proper wisdom ultimately leading naturally towards understanding everything before us:
Mountains rivers earth even beings birds beasts etc., all embody suchness—they’re all simply suchness! Thus enabling comprehension without damaging worldly forms while realizing truths about things arriving at most practical recognitions possible! This outlines five methods involving names distinctions proper wisdom & true suchness!
Following this detailed exploration route should focusing inwardly upon oneself lead towards realizations revealing neither being who think oneself nor anything else enables grasping non-self nature among people;
Utilizing same method exploring external objects reveals those too aren’t merely objects nor entirely non-objects thus attaining genuine knowledge regarding dharma’s non-self nature—this constitutes knowledge pertaining two-fold non-self!
Similarly—you may explore consciousness itself gaining insights regarding various awarenesses—as long thoroughly investigating aforementioned matters you’ll naturally recognize three natures: conventional existence dependent origination ultimate reality! Five methods three natures various awarenesses two-fold non-self represent core teachings found within Lankavatara Sutra;
Once understood fundamentally most principles contained therein become clear thus entering Lankavatara city where every great Bodhisattva resides alongside them attaining liberation becomes effortless indeed representing authentic realization!
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In summary: Awakening—what kind do we awaken towards? Awakening concerning confused human lives & bewildered worlds! When stepping beyond ordinary people’s delusions establishing genuine middle-path views aligned alongside Buddhas’ perspectives constitutes true realization.
Recognizing these truths living them undoubtedly aligns oneself among Buddhas sharing their essence!
Liberation resembles uprooting weeds growing upon our hearts correctly observing realities akin using sickles cutting grass blade-by-blade whereas enlightening resembles setting fire burning wild grasses although process involves flames consuming each blade gradually over time.
Although enlightening initiates significant upheaval its initial spark arises through friction-based ignition techniques employed effectively during practical cultivation emphasizing importance maintaining consistent warmth throughout ongoing efforts regardless when fires ignite ultimately determined through conditions converging rather than personal control exerted over outcomes!
Come focus upon everything happening presently don’t skip over anything getting pulled far away by thoughts! Viewing current circumstances believing people events objects represent definitive truths proves misleading pursuing notions surrounding realizations liberations equally misleading do see clearly?
If clarity emerges discard everything live fully within each moment engaging actively cultivating practices concepts surrounding realizations liberations belong tossed aside!
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Ultimately regardless whether diligently practicing striving toward realizations liberating states stems inability exist presently failing engage fully within moments experienced once alive here & now does anything else matter?
Living joyfully amidst current circumstances who cares about whether realized attained anything else?! Being able exist presently embodies essence underlying practices representing authentic awakenings leading toward genuine freedom achieved effortlessly along paths traveled returning homeward embracing simplicity found along way… </ p >
Practice begins departing current moments returning homeward knowing journeys undertaken merely dreams experienced ultimately arriving seated beside ponds homes laughing heartily smiling knowingly grinning blissfully repeating verses reminiscent Daoji monk: Sixty years gone awry walls collapsed east west returning home still waters stretch endlessly blue…
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Now returning home have returned yet still pounding east wall striking west wall wasting precious waters stretching endlessly blue?! Shouldn’t realize immediately return appreciating endless blue waters instead?
Why waste sixty years like Daoji did collecting memories instead?!
If unable awaken through stories shared connecting lives lived post sixty years wouldn’t those precious moments wasted entirely?!
Great Bodhisattvas reveal truths unseen misunderstood truly bewildering indeed wanting awaken genuinely observe Daoji monk’s manifestations closely… </ p >
by – Taiwan Fearless Tathagata Yada Great Completion Zen Center </ p >