Zen Is Optimism!
Reconciling Zero
What Obstacles Should We Expect on the Buddhist Path?
0:00
Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -7:09
-7:09

What Obstacles Should We Expect on the Buddhist Path?

Obliviousness

Last Few Posts:

Terms In The Audio:

  • 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 First Obstacle: Obliviousness


Zero-Buddhism:

The preconditions necessary for a manifested Buddhism to arise, namely:

  1. A clear picture of the highest good, namely the realization of non-duality.

  2. A clear picture of the path to the realization of non-duality

  3. Motivation and an understanding of the obstacles expected along this path.


Quote From the Tevijjasutta:

Suppose the River Aciravati was full to the rim so a crow could drink from it. Then comes a man who wants to cross over to the far shore. Standing on the near shore, he calls to the far shore, “Come here, far shore! Come here, far shore!”

What do you think, Vasettha? Would the far shore of the River Aciravati come over to the near shore because of that man’s call, because of his request, his desire, or his expectation?

Vasettha responds: “No, master Gotama”


The Three Obliviousnesses

Ignorance: Just not knowing

Misunderstanding: Thinking one knows

Intransigence: Disregarding the teaching

The Question For Next Week: What Is This Obstacle Called Dwelling?

Discussion about this podcast

Zen Is Optimism!
Reconciling Zero
Investigating the notion of Effective Zen