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HENG CH’AU: May 15, 1977. Sleep next to a Coalition Church in Chinatown last night. Heng Sure and I had a good conversation about early a.m. being like the original nature--still, pure, blissful, genuine. The zero opens and from the one comes two and so forth, myriads of things, movement, karma, etc. Each day a chance to try again, each second the same. In every move, thought, contemplate thus.
Also talked about how many institutions, etc., are necessary because the family doesn’t do its job. Military, psychs, scouts, clubs, police, etc. Ultimately one must start at the source to eliminate the widespread, begin with the small, at home. We see this in Three Steps, One Bow and all around us.
Story of Garuda (Great Golden Winged Peng Bird) ties to exercise #15 of t’ai chi. The garudas flapped their wings over the waters of the oceans and parted them revealing the dragons on the ocean beds. The action was so deft that the dragons didn’t have time to disappear and were subsequently sucked up by the garuda like we down a plate of noodles. Fearing extinction, the dragons went to the Buddha and asked for his compassionate protection. The Buddha consented and called the garuda in, ordering it not to eat any more dragons. The garuda countered that the Buddha’s decree was unfair because without dragons to eat the garuda would starve and in turn become extinct. The Buddha reassured the garuda that it would be provided for and then told all his disciples to place a bit of food outside before each meal as an offering to the garuda. With so many disciples in the world, the garuda would be able to eat its fill. The Buddhadharma is unique in that even ghosts and spirits, etc. are treated with compassion and acceptance. Yet there is clearly evil in the mind. The way to stop evil is to eliminate your own greed, hatred, and stupidity. All things come from the one and return to the one.
Bowing along, an Old Chinese lady offers $2. Background music is early Diana Ross and the Supremes.
Offerings: My understanding of offerings has been: how do the leaves thank the root for the water, or the sun for the light? How does the root repay the leaf for nourishment, the mulch? No giving or taking. Who receives; who gives? Cultivate the Way; end the self.
Fear, Speed and Looking Outside: The last few days in response to danger of neighborhoods, fast traffic, hassles, etc. we have unconsciously speeded up. Bowing and rushing like everything around us. It’s very difficult not to be moved (literally) by it all and yet not to block it out so you’re unaware. Today we slowed and ‘constanted’ our pace--much better. Everything in turn looks and feels different. It’s not gone or blotted out, it just doesn’t turn and toss us. At one point this a.m. I experienced the unlimited, undifferentiated Buddha-nature through and within all the cement, traffic, roses, honking horns, dressed-up church-goers, and bowing monks. Feeling very warm and peaceful. Everything’s ok.
Alice Wong came with her two children to inform us of road hazards ahead and see if we needed anything. I think she is opening up, partly because she’s so close to kids and comes out to express that and shares in the Three Steps, One Bow. She always bows three times saying, “You are bowing 700 miles, the least I can do is three.” Her face shines genuine and clean. Her smallest, still in red pajamas, bowed in the wrong direction, got up, turned around, and shines us a grin I’ll never forget.
Change our schedule: We stick to it. If we start late, we finish on time. Then evaluate why we were late. If for cultivation or necessary talk, ok. If not, then don’t do it again.
Winds, limitless winds: This AM bowing right on and then what? Blew it at the meal offering. Inundated with offerings, bows, good “birthday” food in park a la picnic, etc. Meant well, joy of giving, but 1) we don’t deserve it 2) to enjoy is to end blessings and we have nothing to transfer, 3) it’s an outflow. Afterwards the momentum, ch’i, shot. Bloated saturated with family vibes of sex, laughter, flatteries, mama’s tending and fussing over us, etc.
More Hawaiian pants and a carpeted van full of bananas, donuts, bottled drinking water, nuts, new pens, bread, lantern…”could you use” “take this” “How about very important not to project and see laypeople as a problessness, desire, and laziness.
Solution: No more park picnics. Eat on the road. Take less, not all, especially sweets. Talk less, hold eyes down, listen to less. Offerings: tons of food, two gal, drinking water, pen and paper folders.
Call upasika and tell her that tomorrow we are eating leftovers in the van enroute, not in the park. We can’t waste food. Heng Sure can’t bow when full and can’t say no to all the good food. The enjoyment of blessings ends them.