The P'ang Family on Practice/Realization/Vow

From the Sayings of Layman P’ang:

The Layman was sitting in his thatched cottage one day studying the sūtras. "Difficult, difficult," he said; "like trying to scatter ten measures of sesame seed all over a tree." "Easy, easy," Mrs. P’ang said; "like touching your feet to the ground when you get out of bed." "Neither difficult nor easy," Ling Zhao (their daughter) said; "on the hundred grass tips, the great Masters’ meaning."

Note: Layman P’ang (740-808) was a celebrated lay Buddhist in the Chinese Chan (Zen) tradition. He was a successful merchant with a wife, son, and daughter. The family's wealth allowed them to devote their time to study of the Buddhist sutras, in which they all became well-versed. P’ang's daughter Ling Zhao was particularly adept, and sometimes, as in this case, seems more advanced and wise than her parents. After P’ang retired from his profession, he worried about the spiritual dangers of his wealth, so he placed all of his possessions in a boat which he then sunk in a river. The family then led an itinerant lifestyle, wandering about and visiting Buddhist masters and supporting themselves by making and selling bamboo utensils. P’ang studied under, among other masters, Shitou, the author of Harmony of Difference and Equality.

Vowing to Create a Practice Dojo

By: Eihei Dogen

“Even if we don’t have lofty temple buildings, if we practice, the place can be called a dojo of ancient buddhas.” 

“We hear that ancient people practiced on the ground or under a tree.  Such places are sacred forever.  A single person’s continuous practice creates a dojo for many buddhas.”

Commentary by Shohaku Okumura: “We don’t need a formal zazen hall. When we vow to establish a dojo or sangha we should not forget this.”

Peaceful Life (A Poem on Vow)

By: Katagiri Roshi

Being told that it’s impossible,

One believes, in despair, “Is that so?”

Being told that it is possible,

One believes, in excitement, “That’s right.”

But whichever is chosen,

It does not fit one’s heart neatly.

Being asked, “What is unfitting?”

I don’t know what it is.

But my heart knows somehow.

I feel an irresistible desire to know.

What a mystery “human” is!

As to this mystery:

Clarifying

Knowing how to live

Knowing how to walk with people

Demonstrating and teaching,

This is the Buddha.

From my human eyes

I feel it’s really impossible to become a Buddha.

But this “I,” regarding what the Buddha does,

Vows to practice

To aspire

To be resolute,

And tells me, “Yes, I will.”

Just practice right here, now

And achieve continuity

Endlessly

Forever.

This is living in vow.

Herein is one’s peaceful life found.