Chapter 45 in the Shobogenzo (in the Nishijima translation) is entitled “the Four Elements of a Bodhisattva’s Social Relations” - Bodaisatta-shishobo. Master Dogen lists them as free giving, kind speech, helpful conduct and cooperation. In the English translation that is. - “Free giving” is according to the footnotes the Sanskrit dana, - same as the first paramita, - that is just “giving” as it seems. - The “free” is quite clearly added by the translators just in order to clarify the meaning, to avoid some possible mistake in grasping what exactly it is about, - but essentially you might say the “free” is as if in square brackets. - Where the translation gives “kind speech” it says (in the footnotes) the expression Dogen was using is “loving words”. Helpful conduct is said to originate in Sanskrit where it was “useful conduct”. - (Also regarding the Japanese itself I got the impression “beneficial conduct” is a bit more exact in itself but has been altered to fit the text) As for “cooperation” - in Japanese (- that is in the text in the Shobogenzo) it’s “identity of task” and prior to that in Sanskrit “identity of purpose”.
- Fundamentally, - as it seems to me, - these would be giving, consideration, assistance and unity.
- “Unity” would be equal to love in a way perhaps, - but what has made me write this post was thinking of the fourth element as unity, - which seemed to have been better defined, - in the context at least.
Giving - as it seems to me, - would originate with not being too severely attached to things. - Not seeing possessions as too rigidly founded. - Than things would more easily be able to pass back and forth in accordance with necessities. - Their being “yours” or belonging to others has less weight and subsequently they can more freely shift in between different owners – who still, then, would not be holding them too tight.
- Consideration seems to be rooted in noticing the pain of others. - Then consideration would naturally follow. – Obviously you don’t go around inspecting in search of pain in hearts of others, - a natural tendency has to appear or be developed.
- Assistance seems to be on the path to unity. - It must originate with some sense of unity, - though not necessarily conscious or aware; where the needs of others in themselves are inevitably also notices - obviously, - otherwise how are you to assist them? - It is inevitably a form of giving, - and is motivated by consideration. - It is a more whole form while the other two may be somewhat of more preliminary factors. - Plus, if I said consideration is related to pain of others, - here joy too would take a more significant part in the process. Or so it seems.
- Unity may be only in the hands of Buddhas. The common phrase (- appearing repeatedly in the Lotus Sutra) of “a Buddha alone, together with Buddhas” might be in place. - It is what assistance is aimed at and inspired by, - and - you might also say - (if you don’t mind being corny, that is) its perfect and ultimate culmination. - “Love” is what us ignorant beings would observe as the outcome.
It would be about non differentiation, - about treating others equally as we would treat ourselves.
- Master Dogen also relates to a notion related to the aim (- purpose) rather than to the means: - “The sea does not refuse water”.
- Where a natural tendency of coming near the situation is attempted to be described.
But that is still just coming near. - Though it is not just about being concerned with the conduct, - as I referred; - it is about a fundamental notion of not being separate: - The sea not refusing water, - mountains not refusing earth, - and the enlightened rulers not having a remote dislike for the masses; - where the natural tendency brings about further progress of unity-having-been-come-closer-to, and actual submergence would be - even if slightly, - taking place.
- Fundamentally, - as it seems to me, - these would be giving, consideration, assistance and unity.
- “Unity” would be equal to love in a way perhaps, - but what has made me write this post was thinking of the fourth element as unity, - which seemed to have been better defined, - in the context at least.
Giving - as it seems to me, - would originate with not being too severely attached to things. - Not seeing possessions as too rigidly founded. - Than things would more easily be able to pass back and forth in accordance with necessities. - Their being “yours” or belonging to others has less weight and subsequently they can more freely shift in between different owners – who still, then, would not be holding them too tight.
- Consideration seems to be rooted in noticing the pain of others. - Then consideration would naturally follow. – Obviously you don’t go around inspecting in search of pain in hearts of others, - a natural tendency has to appear or be developed.
- Assistance seems to be on the path to unity. - It must originate with some sense of unity, - though not necessarily conscious or aware; where the needs of others in themselves are inevitably also notices - obviously, - otherwise how are you to assist them? - It is inevitably a form of giving, - and is motivated by consideration. - It is a more whole form while the other two may be somewhat of more preliminary factors. - Plus, if I said consideration is related to pain of others, - here joy too would take a more significant part in the process. Or so it seems.
- Unity may be only in the hands of Buddhas. The common phrase (- appearing repeatedly in the Lotus Sutra) of “a Buddha alone, together with Buddhas” might be in place. - It is what assistance is aimed at and inspired by, - and - you might also say - (if you don’t mind being corny, that is) its perfect and ultimate culmination. - “Love” is what us ignorant beings would observe as the outcome.
It would be about non differentiation, - about treating others equally as we would treat ourselves.
- Master Dogen also relates to a notion related to the aim (- purpose) rather than to the means: - “The sea does not refuse water”.
- Where a natural tendency of coming near the situation is attempted to be described.
But that is still just coming near. - Though it is not just about being concerned with the conduct, - as I referred; - it is about a fundamental notion of not being separate: - The sea not refusing water, - mountains not refusing earth, - and the enlightened rulers not having a remote dislike for the masses; - where the natural tendency brings about further progress of unity-having-been-come-closer-to, and actual submergence would be - even if slightly, - taking place.
(Written 31.8-10.9 2021) So far for this post. (Written 31.8-10.9 2021)
No comments:
Post a Comment