Secular Buddhism 109 - Finding Your True Self
Sep 12, 2019
Exploring the idea of finding one's true self and how our beliefs and ideas create a fog that distorts our perception. Questioning the nature of existence and self by exploring the Zen riddle about whether or not a dog has Buddha nature. Delving into the concept of true self in Buddhism and how it is influenced by the present moment and external factors. Reflecting on the nature of playing different roles in life and the idea of skillful means.
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Broken Cup Teaches Skillful Action
- Noah recounts the koan 'Time to Die' where Iqiu breaks his teacher's teacup and asks why people die.
- He uses the story to illustrate cleverness, skillful action, and the reminder that all things end.
Conceptual Fog Limits Clear Seeing
- Noah explains 'conceptual fog' as the beliefs and ideas that tint our perception and limit clear seeing.
- He frames practice as changing our relationship to those lenses rather than fully removing them.
Mu Shatters One-Sided Certainty
- Noah presents the koan 'Mu' where Jōshu replies 'Mu' when asked if a dog has Buddha nature.
- He interprets the shout as a tool to break the monk's one-sided conceptual certainty and open perception.