Walking the Four Great Vows
from 
JoeUser Forums
JoeUser Forums
On today's walk, I recited the Four Great Vows over and over. With each step I was saving all sentient beings, extinguishing delusions, mastering the Buddha's Dharma and following the Buddha's Way...or so I imagined.
Right.
I was walking in mud, actually. My running shoes were sticking to the ground. I was pressing an inch or two into the mud with each step. And it was taking its toll on my energy. Very sticky stuff.
Mud is rather special in this regard. It captures our feet and holds us down. Slowly we step, easily we slip, as mud, shoes, and body fast become one.
So, there I am, stepping with each syllable. I notice the tall pines. I notice the puddles. I notice the deadfall, the green, the flashes of color along the mud road.
Almost without noticing, I hear myself say, "Tree no tree. Road no road. Earth no earth. Sky no sky. Universe no universe. Dharma no dharma. Me no me."
Mu, the no of all, captures my attention. Where does it come from, where does it go?
Right.
Just walk through the woods, Monk Great Dharma. Let it in and let it out. That's all there is to do. Everything else is unnecessary. Everything else is added.
Sodaiho
Right.
I was walking in mud, actually. My running shoes were sticking to the ground. I was pressing an inch or two into the mud with each step. And it was taking its toll on my energy. Very sticky stuff.
Mud is rather special in this regard. It captures our feet and holds us down. Slowly we step, easily we slip, as mud, shoes, and body fast become one.
So, there I am, stepping with each syllable. I notice the tall pines. I notice the puddles. I notice the deadfall, the green, the flashes of color along the mud road.
Almost without noticing, I hear myself say, "Tree no tree. Road no road. Earth no earth. Sky no sky. Universe no universe. Dharma no dharma. Me no me."
Mu, the no of all, captures my attention. Where does it come from, where does it go?
Right.
Just walk through the woods, Monk Great Dharma. Let it in and let it out. That's all there is to do. Everything else is unnecessary. Everything else is added.
Sodaiho
