96. Buddha Nature Is Not A Thing

Oftentimes in Zen literature, qualified teachers will make a sincere effort to provide
clear direction by using words like emptiness, silence, calm, serenity , stillness,
tranquility, simplicity, quiescence.

The sixth ancestor additionally gave encouragement by adding that we should
cultivate an openness of “not being moved around by anything” while also “not
attaching good or bad (judgements) to our perceptions.”

Trying to force silence on the constant stream of mental chatter is simply
suppression. It has no place in our practice. There are however many helpful
guidelines designed to slow down the mental chatter. Speaking and moving slowly
and consciously in the midst of our busy 21st century life is a good start. Cutting
smart phone text messaging in half is another. As a society we find ourselves far
too addicted to this new toy. It has it’s uses. Ask yourself the following: “Am I using
the 24 hours or am I being used by the 24 hours.” Be honest.

Simple reminders such as these are designed (whether we consciously realize it
or not) to sweep away our bent towards reification. Said another way, human
beings consistently attempt to turn simple experiences into objects. The true
master is not a thing, it is a state of mind. A state of mind that is not moved around
by situations and conditions as they unfold. Said a third way, ideas and thoughts
need not be conceptualized. They are only the phenomena of a brief moment.

The suffering and the courage of the Ukrainian people brings tears to my eyes on
a daily basis. From my small circumference as an observer, helpful options
include donating to various relief funds while also practicing meditation directed
toward the end of this needless death and destruction. It is important to note that
practice intention cannot be realized by the presence of emotional turmoil. Buddha
nature in not a “thing” to be materialized.

Attaching to and fixating on our emotions can only lead us down a dark path.
Dahui wrote: “Those who study the way must be quiet and still their thoughts,
perceptions, and feelings.” I pray that the courage of the Ukrainian freedom
fighters is imbued with both clear direction and a calm perception of what they are
facing even in the midst of chaos.

As a Zen student, take a moment to reflect on what is occurring even as you read
this. Are you poised and quiet or is there an unending flow of mental chatter.
The Buddha said “This world is an ocean of suffering.” Contributing to this
suffering lies mainly in pursuing habitual concepts and constructs. Non stop
internal speech is unfortunately relied upon day in and day out to define your
persona when actually there is no persona. None of that actually exists. It is all
fragmented nonsense used continually to reinforce self grasping.

As Shodo Harada Roshi teaches, “We must learn to cut and let go of all of it. Not
some of it, all of it.” Only from this still point is “prajna wisdom” then possible. This
still point provides the fulcrum of the First Noble Truth: “Sentient beings are
numberless, I vow to save them all.”