Japanese Soto Zen and understanding the Dharma

[Ben Dhyan]

Based [hebraic word] on regular reference to -What the Buddha taught- it is that Dharma was the manifest teachings/instructions ...

I have a notion that Dharma is the universal spiritual law.

Yes, Dharma is a concept that, depending on context, can mean either..

There is this amusing comment by Huang Po (Chinese Chan/Zen master) in the context of 'teachings'..."The true dharma is that there is no true dharma, nevertheless this dharma that there is no true dharma is the true dharma".

He says this due to the Zen understanding that Buddha was saying that the true reality represented by the mind's concept of 'dharma' (universal reality) can't ever be realized or known by the dualistic mind, as the real is non-dual. All mind conceptualizations are time based mental constructs and thus are only meant to represent the real, but are not real in themselves (except as neuron firing patterned conceptual representations).

So Buddha uses conceptual language as a temporary expedient to convey to the aspirant that the non-dual dharma (universal reality) can't be realized through the conceptualizing mind, only directly through union with non-duality,..using dhyana/still mind meditation/choiceless awareness meditation/etc., practice.

 

[AmerikanZen]

ok, ... well ~ does awareness of Buddha-nature have to do with your physical human anatomy?...thanks

 

[Gjallarhorn]

ok, ... well ~ does awareness of Buddha-nature have to do with your physical human anatomy?...thanks

Of course. It's one (or a few) of the aggregates that compose the illusory self.

 

[Ben Dhyan]

ok, ... well ~ does awareness of Buddha-nature have to do with your physical human anatomy?...thanks

You are wanting to know about Buddha nature using conceptual thinking, but the non-dual awareness is the indivisible unity of the apparent all.

 

[dyanaprajna2011]

You are wanting to know about Buddha nature using conceptual thinking, but the non-dual awareness is the indivisible unity of the apparent all.

^This. Frubals for you.

 

[AmerikanZen]

You are wanting to know about Buddha nature using conceptual thinking, but the non-dual awareness is the indivisible unity of the apparent all.

I think I understand this. ^^^