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Dear Shih Fu,
The Bodhisattva thinks again, "Throughout the long night, I loved this body and was attached to it. I took food and drink because I desired to fill it up. Now will use this food to give to other living beings. I vow to eternally sever all greedy attachment to my body." -- Avatamsaka Sutra "Ten Inexhaustable Tresures Chapter"
Everyone has a favorite flavor. Until I began the bowing pilgramage, I had a big sweet tooth. Things changed when bowing to generate more yang energy. I found that sugar dispersed my concentration. Now I can't even look at sweets without feeling the flush rise in my face. It's my temporary state - others might have trouble eating sweets. Ultimately any discrimination can obstruct one's view of the basic unity of the Dharma-nature body.
Two Garbage Poems:
"The Sww\eet Tooth's Lament," ot "Bitter is Better" (for me now) Sugar is this bhikshu's bane. Just one bite can for my brain. One sweet cookie melts in my spine, Gets me drunk as quick as wine. Turned by sugar that I ate, I forget to cultivate. Red of face and short of breath, I'm concerned for birth and Death. Sugar makes me want to rap, Makes my tongue begin to flap, Makes me want to laugh anf play And wander from the Buddha's Way. Sugar maks my mouth run on, 'til All samadhi's lost and gone. This monk's eaten his last dose Of dextrose, syrup. And sucrose. Sugar's fine for one sweet lick But greed for pleasure makes Me sick. Sugar used to tastes just great, Now I would rather concentrate. Sugar I the lover's friend, Sweet and sticky to the end. Sugar is the family glue, Sticks him to me and me to you. Of all the flavors, I confess I'm attached to biterness. So when it comes to sugar treats, Forgive me if I pass the sweets. One day, to be really true, I must put down sugar, too. Until then I would rather be, Bitter-sweet and sugar-free. Food is One of the Five Desires Food is neat; I like to eat. But greed is really common. Overeating pleases me, But only for a moment. Knees on fire, hot desire Spoils my meditation. Just a touch too much at lunch Obstructs my cultivation. Not too little, guard the Middle. Just don't crave sensation. What a shame if greed for food Kept me from liberation. When my belly's full, my mind For Bodhi is retreating. Food is nice, but what a price I pay for overeating.
The five desires are dharmas that obstruct the Path, even to the point of preventing one from realizing Unsurpassed Bodhi. For this reason I will permit myself to have even one thought of desire. My mind will be as pure as the Buddhas'. --Avatamsaka Sutra "Ten Practices" Chapter
Disciple Kuo Chen
(Heng Sure)
bows in respect