Robin Beck

Come Study With Me; Power of Threes; Three Virtues

My take on the Power of Threes is that all truth can be reduced to:

Principles: Universal truths that remain true regardless of time and place.

Concepts: Various theoretical or speculative ideas or on the soundness of, and how to implement, principles.

Methods: Practical systems to implement concepts in the so called 'real world;" the effectiveness of methods vary according to time and place.

Nichiren Shonin developed a similar schematic called 三証 {san sho) ; the Three Proofs, or "The Three Kinds of Evidence:" Actual Proof of Experience corresponds to methods; Theoretical Proof; the Proof of Reason to concepts, and Documentary or Literal Proof to Principals. What is it, does it make sense, how does it work? Nichiren Shonin used the Three Proofs as a guide to evaluate the wide diversity of conflicting Buddhist teachings that were available in Japan, during the Kamakura Era.

三徳 {santoku} / Tri-guṇa / Three Virtues

• 親 {shin} / Parent
• 師 {shi} / Teacher
• 主 {shu} / Ruler

• 恩 {on} ? / compassionate grace or gratitude
• 智 {chi} jnana / subjective wisdom
• 斷 {dan} ? / severing [afflictions]

• 法身 {hosshin} dharmakaya / truth body
• 般若 {hannya} / prajna / discernment
• 解脫 {gedatsu} vimukti / emancipation, liberation

• 恩 {on} / compassionate grace or gratitude
• 果 {ka} / effect
• 因 {in} / cause

iirc; the Tiantai school conflates all four sets with both 三諦 {santai} and 三身{sanjin}.

三身{sanjin} / Tri-kaya / Triple Body; Three Bodies

• 法身 {Hosshin} Truth Body / Dharma-kaya
• 報身 {Hoshin} reward body / Sambhoga-kaya
• 応身 {Ojin} manifested transformation response body / Nirmana-kaya
  

• 中諦 {chutai} truth of the mean
• 空諦 {kutai} truth of emptiness
• 假諦 {ketai} provisional or temporary truth

Relative Truth
俗諦 {zokutai} Samvrti satya / Conventional truth, mundane truth
世諦 {setai} Samvrti satya / Secular truth
覆諦 {fukutai}
世俗諦 {sezokutai} Samvrti satya /Mundane truth; relative truth; worldly trut
隨言說諦 {zui gon setsu tai} Vyavahara satya / Spoken truth
俗事諦 {zoku jitai} Vyavahara satya / Conditional or Relative Truth

Absolute Truth

眞諦 {shindai} Absolute Truth
勝義諦 {shogi tai} paramartha satya / Truth
第一義諦 {dai ichi gita} paramartha satya / Truth
究竟義 {kikyogi} / nishṭhartha / Absolute
波羅末陀 {haramada} Paramartha /Ultimate

Dukkha and Satisfaction

Dukkha is a Buddhist term that can be translated as suffering, stressful, unsatisfying, or frustrating. The Buddha said, "Sabbe sankhara dukkha." That translates as, "All compounded or conditioned [phenomena] is suffering, stressful, unsatisfying, frustrating."

It is sort of like the old Rolling Stones song, 'I can't get no satisfaction.' The Buddha explained why we can not get any lasting satisfaction. It is because we are "looking for love [satisfaction] in all the wrong places." The Buddha taught four reasons why we wind up frustrated. These are are know as cattaro vipallasa {viparyasa} or 四顚倒 the four afflictions or hallucinations:

• Mistaking or seeking subha 浄 wholesomeness, fortune. purity, attractiveness, desirability}; for or in that which is asubha 不淨 or 惡露 {impure, spiritually ugly, unwholesome, unfortunate}.
  
• Seeking sukha 樂 {bliss}; in that which is dukkha 苦 or 苦惱 {unsatisfying}.
• Searching for or expecting nicca / niyta 常 {constancy, continuity, eternity}; in that which is anicca / anitya 無常 {inconstant, temporal}.
• Identifying atta / atman 我 {an abiding self}; in that which is anatta / anatman 無我{fabricated ego}.

• Subha 浄 (jo) {pure} or 清浄 (shojo) {purified} or 遍淨 (henjo) {pervasive purity}: Wholesome purity, inner beauty, innocence; actual desirability, appeal, attractiveness, good fortune. [note that shuddha 浄 pure, 遍淨 pervasive purity, and vishuddha 清浄 purification are conflated with subha or inner beauty].
  
• Sukha 樂 (raku) {comfort}: Sublime Bliss, spontaneous or stable joy, independent of circumstances. Note that sukha, as one of three kinds of vedana {sensation or feeling}, is the opposite of dukkha. The third kind is neutral.
• Nitya 常 (jo) or 常住 (joju) {constant} or 無辺 (muhen) {boundless, no end} or 無量 (muryo) {immeasurable}: Actual perception of constancy, continuity, permanence, timelessness, eternity, infinitude.
  
• Atman 我 (?) {mine; self}: Authentic identity; which is a selfless, higher self.

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Playlist Revisited / Magic Theater / Over the Rainbow

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Playlist Revisited / Time

I assemble those and take photos to express no- things my analytical mind can not express with words.

August 09, 2008

Metta in the Gosho / Goibun?

Metta is a Pali Buddhist term that is usually translated as Loving Kindness or Good Will. The Sanskrit term is Maitri. The Greek word Agape, in my opinion, is an equivalent. Metta is related to the word mitta, which means friend. When Buddhists say 'Good Friend,' I think the original word might be Kalyanamitta. In this connection, some like 'Loving Friendship' as a translation of metta. I sort of ike Amity. Trouble is, a non-English speaker might confuse that with the Pali term amitta, which means enemy. Even English Speakers seem to confuse amity with its far opposite, enmity. Besides, amity makes me think of a certain movie.

I have had several conversations with Soka Gakkai members who wondered why Buddhists do not talk much about love; in the religious sense of agape. Of course, almost every school of Buddhism, other than Nichiren Shoshu and Soka Gakkai, does talk a lot about Metta. In the fairly recent past, I kind of wondered why Nichiren never mentioned metta / maitri / loving kindness? The answer to that is he did. The letters in Soka Gakkai's Writings of Nichiren Daishonin {WND} mention metta alone as many as 84 times. It is also mentioned more times, as many as 44, as as part of the compound word metta-karuna. Yet you will not find loving-kindness or 'good will' in WND. From I can see, love only appears in the senses of erotic lust {kama} or, occasionally, familial affection.

The reason is a translation issue. Kumarajiva and others evidently used the kanji 慈 {shindoku reading ji} to translate the Sanskrit word Maitri. From what I gather, Burton Watson translated this into English as pity; which appears to be a common, secular meaning of 慈, However, if we back translate to the original, the word means Loving Kindness, in a Buddhist context. Metta-Karuna was translated using the kanji 慈悲 {shindoku reading jihi}. The kanji read as hi is translated as Karuna, meaning-genuine heartfelt compassion -- to sense the suffering of others as the same one's own {with the exception of masochists}. It looks like Watson translates both 悲 {hi} and 慈悲 {jihi}. as compassion.

Now, I do not know if every instance of pity, or a form thereof, refers to metta. However, many of them likely do. Also, some of the references to compassion are likely metta-karuna. So, in the 49 letters of WND Volume One, I would estimate that metta is mentioned at least 70 times, probably more. The next time you time you come across pity, {pitied, pitiful, pitiable}, in the SGI WND, or MWND Gosho, try reading that as Loving Kindness, or an expression of Loving Kindness. rather the more scornful concept of pity; which infers contempt at worst, or, at best, a condescending feeling of superiority. This might even change one's perception of Nichiren.

Some examples:

On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land Taking pity on the plight of the common people, the rulers carry out government on the national and local levels in a benevolent manner. [No.2, Page 6, col 1, paragraph 3, Content]

On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land At that time the benevolent deities and heavenly kings, who would ordinarily take pity on living beings, will abandon this impure and evil nation, and all will make their way to other regions. [No.2, Page 8, col 2, paragraph 13, Content]

On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land How could I observe the decline of the Buddhist Law and not be filled with emotions of pity and distress?. [No.2, Page 17, col 2, paragraph 61, Content]

On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land It distresses me that they should be so confused about right and wrong, and at the same time I feel pity that, having embraced Buddhism, they should have chosen the wrong kind. [No.2, Page 24, col 2, paragraph 116, Content]

The Izu Exile What karma has brought us together? Can it be that, because in the past you were a votary of the Lotus Sutra, now, in the Latter Day of the Law, you have been reborn as Funamori no Yasaburo and have taken pity on me? Though a man may do this, for your wife, as a married woman, to have given me food, brought me water to wash my hands and feet with, and treated me with great concern, I can only call wondrous. [No.4, Page 35, col 1, paragraph 2, Content]

The Universal Salty Taste The reason for “creatures of great size exist and dwell in it” is that, because the Buddhas and bodhisattvas possess great wisdom, they are called “creatures of great size,” and that their great bodies, great aspiring minds, great distinguishing features, great evilconquering force, great preaching, great authority, great transcendental powers, great compassion, and great pity all arise naturally from the Lotus Sutra. [No.5, Page 39, col 2, paragraph 3, Content]

The Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra 39. A figure described in a Chinese legend. When he saw a yellow crane being sold on the road, he felt pity for it, offered his clothes in exchange for it, and set it free. When he died, the crane flew down to his grave and continued calling his name for three years. As a result, he came back to life. [No.14, Page 154, col 2, paragraph 114, Footnotes]

The Tripitaka Master Shan-wu-wei When I considered that my teacher Dozen-bo might meet a similar fate, I was filled with pity for him and therefore made up my mind to speak to him in very strong terms. [No.17, Page 177, col 2, paragraph 62, Content]

Writings of ND

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August 08, 2008

New Photos - Lilies

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August 07, 2008

Byrd is Gone too?

By now you may have seen this at her blog. I had this sensation for several days that Wendy {Byrd} Ehlman was gone. It was not like her to not comment, anywhere, for this long. I also had a sort of vision, that I can not explain here, not now, a few nights ago.

First Barbara Pike, then Reverend Greg, now, evidently, Byrd; three of my favorite people in cyberspace. I can not describe how sad I feel right now. Sometimes, some people, try to make something out of these sort of untimely events. I hope they might reflect on that. Life really is dukkha; but we can also find an absolute happiness that is wholesome, blissful, constant, and authentic. I think Barbara, Greg, and Wendy must have found that.

I think being shunned by her long term 'friends' in Soka Gakkai must have hurt Wendy very deeply. However, my perception was that she was more hurt for them than for herself. This what we call Metta Karuna. Those words are not easy to translate. Metta / maitri is similar to the concept of agape. It is a real, palpable, spiritually healing force. The kanji translation is 慈 {ji}; which literally means pity, have mercy on. I think that points to universal selfless empathy. It is the love of a mother for her child, expanded to all living and non-living beings. Karuna means compassion, to see and sense the suffering of others as our own. The kanji translation is 悲 {hi}; which literally means sorrow, lamentation, to grieve. It is the sorrow a mother feels if her child suffers; again, extended to all.

Wendy has been been a tremendous source of encouragement to me for several years. Someone expressed hope that this might be a joke, that it was not really her neighbor who posted at her blog. I guess we all shall know soon enough. Assuming this sad news is true, she shall be missed.

Of course, since I posted this earlier, the sad news was confirmed; Byrd has flown away to the Blissful Land of Constant Tranquil Light.

gassho

robin

I'll Fly Away - Allison Krauss

Metta Sutta chanted in English

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August 06, 2008

Youtube playlists not working?

Again! They fixed one problem; now none of the videos will load.

Originally Posted by rbeck at July 24, 2008 05:11 PM

They just play back the first song in the queue. They were working yesterday. Are others having this issue? This problem has appeared in their forum, so it ain't us. A custom playlist with list on the side is a provisional solution. These are large. However, they can be adjusted by editing the code. Note that it in is there twice.. See below: I changed it from 746 X 413 to 496 x 276.

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August 05, 2008

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Vaughn's Interview with controversial Sushi Aficionado Barry Schmuck

This is satire, something I seldom indulge in these days. If there are any hurt feelings; I shall take it down.

Seriously, maybe satire is just a bad idea? I have mixed thoughts on that right now. At what point does it just become mean? It seems to me there is a time and a place. The healthy purpose is to not take ourselves too seriously. I think.
Thoughts?

This was Vaughn's Interview with Schmuck, which Vaughn had planned to post at Blog-'o'-snot. However, the R-factor, a being Rube channels; while in a trance state learned from Carlos Castanet, intercepted it.

V: Barry is a long time Sushi aficionado, who has some controversial views.

Barry: It stinks in here.

V: I know. Someone stepped in dog doo and tracked it in.

Barry; It was not me. Did you interview Mitch McGraw? I bet it was him. He puts cheese whiz in his sushi. Never trust a sushi chef. Sushi is not about culinary sects. All people have a sushi nature,

V: No, Chef McGraw has not been here. Do not worry. We will clean it up. What say you about Sushi?

Barry: Most people do not know sushi like I know sushi. Most people confuse sashimi with real sushi. Real sushi has nothing to do with sashimi. And certainly not Cheese Whiz. Cripes! .

V: I understand that two well known sushi aficionados, Rube and Guido, disagree with you. Rube says that all sushi is not sashimi, all of the time, and not all sashimi is sushi, but some sashimi is sushi, some of the time. He can explain that 80,000 different and convoluted ways. Guido says it is obvious to anyone who has seen sashimi spread with wasabe on a rice ball .

Barry: A redneck and an Italian? You call them sushi aficionados? If they only knew sushi like I know sushi, I was the first to bring authentic sashimi free sushi to America.

V Yes, we heard you went to Japan to seek the real sushi. Can you tell us about that?
.
Barry: While I was there, I designed the ginzu knife. I gave one to a famous sushi chef. I can not say who. I do know the Iron Chef. I have met almost every famous person on the planet. A chef from a rival culinary sect tried to kill me with a fake ginzu knife. I ducked, but got a cut on my forehead. I got stitches. I am the first person to ever get stitches.

V: Really? We also heard that you almost died of food poisoning.

Barry: Right. From eating sashimi; raw fish. I then realized sashimi is not the real sushi, They had to do CPR. I am the first person to ever receive CPR. I also helped design the California Roll. I wanted a real American sushi. I sent the recipe to Marv Heron. He put it on the Internet. It was not ready. That is not the real California Roll.

V: Any other thoughts on sushi?

Barry: Most people mistake the seaweed around the maki roll for the sushi. The real sushi is the vinegar seasoned rice.

V: Any thoughts on other topics?

Barry: I am an incredible person. I have done so much. Most people suck. I have met lots of famous people. I am a big fan of Tiny Tim. Also, Superman is a real person. I can prove it. Look on a map of Illinois. You will see Metropolis. It is there.

V:

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Who is the Eternal Buddha?

This is a topic Reverend Ryuei, myself, and others have discussed in some detail at various fora. I grasped the concepts first; then filled in the terminology via discussions with Reverend Eijo {Shingon} and some Theravdins at E-Sangha. I had also read all the positions of Lamont, the Honmon Shoshu people, and others. Another thing I did was to study the Kaimoku Sho without the Taisekiji / Soka Gakkai spin.

One word I coined was "Wheel Turning Buddha." I found out this is what Theravadins call a Sama-sam-buddha or Sam-yak-sam-buddha. That refers to a Buddha who appears at a time when there is no revealed Dharma or other srhats in the world. The Sam-yak-sam-buddha starts a new Dharma Dispensation that lasts for three stages; the Former, Middle, and Latter Days. There is no new Samyaksambuddha for each stage.

There are actually three kinds of Buddhas. The Enlightenment is the same in all cases; it is only the way they attain Enlightenment that differs. Sam-yak-sam- buddhas attain Arhatship; which is the same as Enlightenment or Nirvana, by their own efforts. They also work for the salvation of all beings, from their first stage of stream enterer. Therefore, they earn the merit of preaching, and can start a new Dharma Dispensation, when the time is ready. The next one for this world is said to be Mettaya a.k.a Maitreya, who appears in the distant future, only after Shakyamuni's revealed Dharma is completely vanished.

The next kind is the Pratyeka-Buddha. Like the Samyaksam buddhas, the Pratyekas enter the dharma stream, and eventually become arhats, by themselves. However, they only work for their own salvation, and do not earn the merit of preaching. If they teach at all, it is not the Buddha Dharma. The third kind are the Shravaka-Buddhas. They enter the stream via the Dharma Dispensation of a Samyaksambuddha a.k.a an historical Buddha.

The early Mahayana Sutras sort of distort these distinctions, by deliberately conflating the concept of the Samyaksambuddha with Enlightenment itself. The Shravakas in provisional Mahayana are shown to be sad, because they became stream enterers under Shakyamuni, and therefore can never become a [Samyaksam] Buddha; they can only become arhats {that also distorts the original meaning of arhat}.

The Lotus Sutra corrects that by pointing out, in the absolute sense, there are not three vehicles at all, just one. It makes absolutely no difference how one attains Buddhahood; by way of the path of Bodhisattva {in the specific sense of a future Sam yak sam buddha}, Pratyeka, or Shravaka. They all attain the same Awakening. The Lotus Sutra then goes beyond that. Rather than stressing the different ways of attaining Buddhahood, and the different kinds of Trace Buddhas; it talks about the nature of Enlightenment Itself, the earned merits {acquired enlightenment} and innate virtues {original enlightenment}.

The earned merits relate to the shakumon or trace gate, and are personified by the ascended Reward Body Shakyamuni and Great Being Bodhisattvas like Monju, Yakuo, Miroku, Fugen, Fukyo, Myo'on, Kan'non and so on. Innate virtues refer to the Honmon or Source Gate, and are personified by the Eternal Shakyamuni and the 4 Leaders of the Bodhisattvas from Underground. Nichiren sort of identified himself as an appearance of Superior Practices; the leader of these Bodhisattvas from Underground.

Earned or acquired merits are like skills that one must learn and cultivate over time. Innate or unattained virtues are like inborn talents, we are naturally endowed, and only need to discover them within and polish them. Innate Awakening also refers to our inherent Buddha Nature or Amala Consciousness. Acquired Awakening means to attain the highest conventional stage in the world, that of Arhat.

Now, the Eternal Shakyamuni, the Uncreated Always Existing Triple Bodied Tathagata, only appears in the Lotus Sutra, and only in "one Chapter and Two Halves {15, 16, & 17 in Kumarajiva's version}." He attained Awakening in the Remote Past, which Nichiren takes as meaning time without beginning or end -- eternity, constancy, timelessness. Reverend Ryuei explains this as indicating the unborn and deathless nature of our enlightenment, it is always here in the present.

The revealed Dharma Dispensations of historical Sam-yak-sam-buddhas appear in the world, stay quite a while, and eventually vanish. However, the Dharma Itself, of the "Eternal Shakyamuni," never comes or goes. In my experience, efforts to preempt Shakyamuni with some other 'truer' Buddha distort the picture and confuse the issues. Who is the big "B" Buddha is not so important. By convention, we should go with the original founder of Buddhism in our history, Shakyamuni.