From a dialogue I'm having on ARBN:
> Well Mark, Ichinen Sanzen makes a good starting point for your studies.
>I've thought I understood Ichinen Sanzen thoroughly at some 3 points in
>my career. Now I realize how much I don't understand Ichinen Sanzen,
>which itself is a kind of enlightenment -- but no where near "final
>enlightenment."
Mark:
> Well, thats exactly it. You can never fully understand it until you
> achieve Buddhahood, but the small awakenings to it are very rewarding
> in themselves. Understanding the nature of life is what Buddhism is
> about. The hard part is adopting it into your life. Thats is the
> difference between theoretical and actual ichinen sanzen.
I don't think "fully understanding" Ichinen Sanzen, at this point, for
me is even a valid goal. Like Dependent origination itself, the only
thing each realization has given me have been jumping perspectives;
first, an appreciation for both the "elephant" of life -- and the flea
that is me compared to that elephant. Heck the flea on the flea on the
elephant.
next, an appreciation for how "I" myself am an "elephant" compared to
how I conceptualize myself, "I".
and third, an appreciation for the perspective that "I" am a cartoon
compared to the ultimate.
fourth, an appreciation for the cartoonist for his wonderful skill and
sense of humor.
and fifth, the notion that some times "I" am the cartoonist and other
times the cartoon.
Chris with a little humor.
:-)
I swore I'd never post again at ARBN. Oh, well people change.
Posted by cholte at December 12, 2005 10:34 PM