Focus on One (Dharma) Door and Enter Deeply

An Eternal Now SG

Some weeks ago someone in this forum enquired about something which one of my dharma friend mentioned, which is Yi Men Shen Ru, and today I found an article which explains it very well. Because I found it good I also decided to share this with the forum. This article is from a talk by a taiwanese teacher of mine who is also my master's dharma successor. Because there are so many different schools of Buddhism with different practises, it is a necessity for most of us to stick to one path, whatever path be it zen, vajrayana, pure land, theravada, hua yen, etc etc and walk all the way to the end. Although this talk is given by my school of buddhism I think this applies to all other buddhists as well. Image extracted from PDF from www.humanbliss.com.sg.

An Eternal Now SG

~ end ~

T.Ryousuke SG

There are many routes but only one destination. Most important is how you get there? With your will and determination!

An Eternal Now SG

Yes, thats very important Smile

T.Ryousuke SG

My friend ask me how? I said: "concentration".

He said:" I can't." I said:" your mind is preoccupied."

I said:" can you let go all these." He answered: " I can't."

How then?

An Eternal Now SG

Then practise chanting first because its easier. And we must be presistant in practise.. i.e if u meditate then meditate everyday. And being mindful throughout our living. Is your friend a Buddhist? If not you may introduce him/her some Buddhist books to read.

justdoit77 SG

Hi AEN,

What kind of practise is dharma door specific.

An Eternal Now SG

Not only is practise different, different schools of Buddhism teaches differently. I cannot answer that question directly unless you are more specific in comparing which sect with which sect. But my point is it is best to stick to one path. Eventually all paths lead to the same goal - Ming Xin Jian Xing, which is realising one's Buddha Nature, and Liberation.

maggot SG

Remember to test and verify what is taught and learned Wink

Don't ever follow blindly Twisted Evil

An Eternal Now SG

If you stick to one path and walk to the end, it is impossible to follow blindly, because all dharma doors will eventually lead you to realisation - seeing your buddha nature yourself. Meaning all dharma doors are just rafts, expedient means to lead you to the final truth. And all dharma doors are taught by the Buddha.

Just like someone has reached a conclusion using a specific scientific method, and encourages you to use that particular scientific method to reach the same conclusion as him. The scientific method itself cannot reveal the truth unless you carry out the experiment yourself (i.e by practising deeply that path). Eventually everyone who practises will realise it himself.

maggot SG

Originally posted by An Eternal Now:

If you stick to one path and walk to the end, it is [b]impossible to follow blindly, because all dharma doors will eventually lead you to realisation - seeing your buddha nature yourself. Meaning all dharma doors are just rafts, expedient means to lead you to the final truth. And all dharma doors are taught by the Buddha.[/b]

There are doors that are invented and cannot be trace to buddha Twisted Evil

The owners of these new doors possessed great wealth and thus able to subdue opponents with the power of cash Laughing

An Eternal Now SG

That is very untrue. Any dharma door you speak of, I can trace it back to the Buddha - including Meditation, Chanting, Visualisation, anything u speak of. They are all taught by the Buddha Smile

And these are all taught out of expedient means, in reality there is only 'One Buddha Vehicle' - the path towards Buddhahood.

maggot SG

Well sometimes you need to see the behaviour of the followers Rolling Eyes

An Eternal Now SG

What kind of behaviors?

Anyway behavior of followers and the dharma door and teachings is two different matters. Anyone can claim to be follower of certain teachings, but it does not mean he is practising it.