Question
You say: I have no doubt about the meaning of practice, then later that you are an ignorant little worm. Do you think that is the meaning of practice?
Only Buddhas can enter the dojo; that is the condition on which we are allowed to do zazen.
And Buddhas ask questions to make the Dharma heard, for the good of all.
Quite right, except that as far as the meaning of practice is concerned, what I believe or don’t believe doesn’t really matter, because we must not cling to beliefs, which can be pure illusion.
It is well known that we are not Buddha all the time, which does not contradict the state of being an ignorant little worm that I sometimes feel—states as fleeting as they are illusory. And even if it did, practice is supposed to help us embrace our contradictions so we can move beyond them. The Sandokai also says that attachment to practice is an illusion. Illusions are apparently necessary, but everything is only emptiness…
Best wishes. SD.
SD
Answer from Master Kosen
You use Zen words relatively intelligently to keep yourself in the compromise of your karma. But where did you get this stupid dogma that the meaning of practice and what you believe or don’t believe have no importance? The meaning of practice is called bodaishin, and it is fundamental. Understanding that everything is illusory should lead us not to nihilism but to creativity. Everything is illusory, so everything is possible: that is the bodhisattvas’ playground. The vision you describe is a coward’s practice, like having a precious stone in your pocket and taking it for an ordinary pebble.
Furthermore, awakening consists in realizing that we are Buddha all the time.
The one who observes himself as a little worm is at peace and, without emotion, understands that this little worm is not his true nature.
So if he believes he is a little worm, his nature creates a little worm.
Thus, what you believe or don’t believe creates your reality. You must therefore believe in your permanent Buddha nature and, from it, create a brilliant illusion imbued with that essence.
Kosen