From this month’s Zen words in Japanese site of Rinzai-Obaku Zen.
“The old man lost his horse” is a Chinese proverb. In the Zen adage of the subject above, I swapped it with the butterfly effect which is more widely known in the English speaking world. The wisdom also has some in common with Prayers for Serenity, Peace and Strength as both refer to the importance of accepting of what cannot be changed and living happily anyway.
From this month’s Zen words in Japanese site of Rinzai-Obaku Zen.
Understanding of the ultimate truth or enlightenment is said to bring five happinesses like the five petals of Japanese apricot or ume flower: 1. longevity, 2. prosperity, 3. healthiness, 4. cultivation, 5. fulfilment.
I think these qualities of happiness should not be taken as materialistic or physical.
From this month’s Zen words in Japanese site of Rinzai-Obaku Zen.
My take on this maxim is the difference between the holistic wisdom and the analytic knowledge. When you personify enlightenment, or one with the ultimate truth, who asks a question about it? Asking a question is representing that you are in the third person viewpoint and not one with the ultimate truth.
From this month’s Zen words in Japanese site of Rinzai-Obaku Zen.
Strictly speaking, we all are born alone and we all die alone. Our consciousness is technically our own and not shared with anybody else throughout our life. Thus we need to take full responsibility of our own life.
From this month’s Zen words in Japanese site of Rinzai-Obaku Zen.
Majority is not always right. Sometimes you are alone in the place you think is right. However, if you are not solely wrong the light of truth always shines on you. You should be able to see it.
From this month’s Zen words in Japanese site of Rinzai-Obaku Zen.
Of course, in Zen words, the city originally referred was not Rome, but Chang’an the capital of Tang Dynasty.
The enlightenment or the ultimate truth of the universe is actually ubiquitous and common and everyone or everything in this universe is following it without any exceptions.
Thus if you are to reach it, you do not have to choose a particular road.