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Terms In The Video:
Zero: The fundamental teaching of the late Zen master Joshu Sasaki: “As the Buddha taught, zero inevitably splits into mutually opposing activities which inevitably disappear into zero.”
Reconciling Zero: The investigation of Zero in the pursuit of Effective Zen.
Effective Zen: The one path on Zen Mountain that gives any one individual the best chance of reaching the peak (realizing non-duality).
Zen Mountain: The collection of all possible Zen paths.
Buddhism: The set of spiritual activities where the highest good is the realization of non-duality.
Highest Good: That which exists for its own sake (there is nothing greater).
The Realization of Non-Duality: The complete understanding of a self inseparable from circumstance – where complete understanding implies manifestation.
The Realization of Infinite Mind: Same as the Realization of Non-Duality
Zero-Buddhism:
The conditions necessary for Buddhism to arise, namely:
An enlightened teacher.
A clear picture of a path moving forward.
An understanding of the obstacles expected along this path.
The Effective Teacher
The effective teacher recognizes that, at some level, all of us seek perfect certainty, which ultimately manifests as the realization of infinite mind, and which is invariably obstructed by a misreading of the self.
Summarizing the Self
Buddhism does not teach the unreality of the self.
Buddhism does teach that, besides the self, there is a phenomenon called the not-self.
The self inevitably arises and disappears. Not a good thing or bad thing – it just is.
One should be constantly on the lookout for self-talk centered around the five aggregates – form, consciousness, perception, feelings, and choosing – as this self-talk invariably obstructs the natural cycling between self and not-self.
The Question For Next Week: What Is The Activity of Buddhism?
Can We Now Start To Reconcile Zero?