In the days of the original Sangha, it was thought that only a monk of the Sangha could become an Arhant—someone who sees the True Nature of existence. If you were a woman, the best you could hope for is a fortunate rebirth, possibly as fortunate as to be reborn as a monk. Fortunately the teachings have evolved since then, and due to all of us intrinsically having Buddha Nature, gender, lay or ordained status, occupation, none of that matters. We just need to realize our True Buddha Nature to actualize our inherent buddhahood. Some may still contend that it’s a lot easier to pull that off in a monastic environment, without all the distractions of modern life in the “real world.” That may be a romanticized view of life in a Zen center or temple; modern life doesn’t stop at the front door, it might just wear robes.
Dahui Zonggao, Chan Master from the 11th Century CE, lived as a monastic, but his Dharma teaching wasn’t limited only to monks. The writings we have of his (as compiled in “Swampland Flowers”) are largely correspondence he had with lay practitioners. He understood what it took to realize one’s Buddha Nature, and he also understood that there were those who were no less dedicated to the Dharma, but circumstances dictated that “leaving home” was no more an option for them than it was for Layman Pang or Vimalakirti. Being a lay practitioner does not relegate us to second-class status or being unable to awaken in this very lifetime.
Bodhidharma said that the “Great Way is beyond words and letters.” But to function in life, there are many words-everything from Sutras to recipes—that we need to use. While knowledge does not equate to wisdom, and you can’t intellectualize yourself into awakening, knowledge and intellect do not have to be a hindrance.
As Dahui said, “At the very moment one speaks of knowledge, knowledge itself is mind, and this very mind itself is knowledge….People with great wisdom have all taken knowledge as their companion, considered knowledge an expedient means, practiced the compassion of equanimity in knowledge, and done all the business of buddhas in knowledge, like dragons reaching the water, like tigers taking to the mountains—they never considered this knowledge an affliction, because they thoroughly understood the origin of knowledge.”
Knowledge is nothing more than a collection of facts. In and of themselves, these facts aren’t good or bad. When our knowledge gets us in trouble is when we use it to escape from this moment, right hereandnow, and let the concepts that knowledge can bring become a hindrance. Right now, you are reading this piece. When reading, just read. When watching the video, watch the video. There may be some combination of words, ideas, and facts contained in them that will be of benefit to you and help you realize your True Buddha Nature. And more importantly they may help you point the way so that all beings can realize their True Nature as well. There is no reason to “escape the real world” in order to facilitate our following the Great Way. It’s all the real world.
Myeong Jin Eunsahn gave the Dharma talk April 10, 2024.
