The roots of the idea of one’s Buddha Nature are to be found in Early Buddhism; its flowering, in the Mahayana, Vajrayana, and Zen. What is this elusive quality of Being which grounds Awakening, and allows us to step forth into a kind of freedom that’s deeply connected to all the world? Michael guided our reflections on this puzzling and enlivening aspect of our existence.
Some material read by Michael follows:
Born in this World You got to suffer Everything Changes You got no soul
Try to be gay Ignorant Happy You get the blues You eat jellyroll
This is one way
You take the high road In your big Wheel
8 steps you flyLook at the View Right to Horizon Talk to the Sky Act like you talk
Work like the sun Shine in your heaven See what you done Come down & walk
Sit you sit down
Breathe when you breathe Lie down you lie down Walk where you walkTalk when you talk
Cry when you cry
Lie down you lie down Die when you dieLook when you look Hear what you hear
Taste what you taste here Smell what you smellTouch what you touch Think what you think Let go Let it go Slow Earth Heaven & Hell
Die when you die
Gospel Noble Truths —Allen Ginsberg
Die when you die
Lie down you lie down Die when you die
The Four Great Vows
Sentient Beings are numberless, I vow to save them all
Delusion are endless, I vow to cut through them all
dharma gates are infinite, I vow to pass through them all
The Buddha way is inconceivable, I vow to attain it.
To study the buddha way is to study the self.
From Genjokoan, Dogen
to study the self is to forget the self
To forget the self is to be enlightened by the ten thousand dharmas to be enlightened by the ten thousand dharma is to free one’s body and mind and those of others.
No trace of enlightenment remains, and this traceless enlightenment continues forever.
Mary Oliver: “Some Questions You Might Ask”
Burlington Buddhist Sangha 