Karma is Clear

Last updated on: February 11, 2009 at 5:05 pm by Dosho Port

Karma is Clear 2009-02-11T17:05:00-06:00 Dosho Port

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

A mid-winter melt is winding down here today, although it melted enough snow to block Bodhi and my path earlier.

Speaking of which, a practitioner requested something from Dogen about karma and rebirth so I dipped into Dogen’s Extensive Record to see what I could see. First, let me again profusely praise this very important work, essential for students of Soto Zen, in my view, and encourage you all to buy it right away.

Second, a couple general thoughts, then third I’ll offer you a brief Dharma Hall Discourse (#62) and finally a few words about that.

In the Extensive Record, at least the first four volumes, Dogen discusses cause and effect four times (no mention there of rebirth but there is elsewhere so don’t go ajumpin’ to conclusions) and each time it is in context of the Wild Fox koan (click here if you really want that beast to raise its head). That points to the complexity and subtlety of the issue. I’ve been chewing on this one for many years and can attest to how it continues to unfold.

Another point is that “cause and effect” really should often be translated “karma” because karma is not just cause and effect but action + intention. You can have cause and effect, like flowers falling, without karma. Karma is high-powered cause and effect.

Maybe that’s a niggly point but maybe not. If we are to understand what the Zen ancestors are talking about in careful detail (and our lives), then we ought to look at the teaching (and our lives) with careful detail, right? Otherwise we might just wantonly project our sloppy selves onto so-called “it.” That’s the “how we do one thing is how we do everything” rule.

And now, here’s Dogen:

After relating the story of Baizhang and the wild fox, [Dogen] said: I had mistakenly thought that the barbarian’s beard was red, but surprisingly there is a red bearded barbarian. Not falling into [causality] or not ignoring [causality], cause and effect brings more cause and effect. Do all of you want to know causes and understand effects or not? [Dogen] raised his whisk and said: Look, look. Cause and effect are clear. [Dogen] put down his whisk and got down from his seat.

Comments:
Sentence 1: The issue with the beard is simple. You have to get upside down to deeply appreciate karma.
Sentence 2: Karma rolls on whether you think you can be free from it or whether you think you ought to pay attention.
Sentence 3: If you want to realize the great mystery, look carefully at karma/cause and effect.
Sentence 4 and 5: It ain’t unfolding anywhere else. Open your mouth and it fills it.
Sentence 6: moveon.org

Uncategorized

Previous Post

February 10, 2009

More on Karma and Rebirth

Next Post

February 12, 2009 I Thought the Path Went That Way but It Goes This Way Too

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 August 2021 June 2021 April 2021 February 2021 January 2021 November 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 August 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 December 2016 October 2016 June 2016 April 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 August 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What did the Israelites grumble about after crossing the Red Sea?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Boredom Lack of water Too much sun Wild animals