Fukanzazengi: Dogen's Universal Recommendation for Zazen – Talk 6
June 14, 1979 Dharma Talk by Dainin Katagiri Roshi
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Summary
Katagiri Roshi explains shikantaza, or body and mind dropping off, from the standpoint of Buddhist psychology. This talk focuses on samskaras, which is often translated as “impulses” or “formations,” but here is discussed as the “together-maker.” Samskara is presented as a sort of a bridge or door which enables you to take mind to either the dualistic world or the non-dualistic world, because samskara itself is completely free. In relation to this, Katagiri Roshi explains a key line from Dogen’s Genjokoan: “Oneness is not like moon reflected in the water; when one is bright, the other one is dark.” He also discusses the lines from Fukanzazengi, “It cannot be fully known by the practicing or realizing of supernatural power either. It must be deportment beyond one’s hearing and seeing. Is it not the principle that is prior to knowledge and perceptions?” During a discussion of the “forces” of prāpti and aprāpti, he tells a story about the 1948 Fukui earthquake in Japan.
Transcript
Listen to this talk on mnzencenter.org
0:00
Katagiri Roshi: [We] talked about zazen based on body and mind dropping off, which means that from the first dullness and distraction are struck aside, the moment we do zazen. This morning I would like to look at this from a pretty different angle, that is sort of from the psychological point of view.
You know pretty well that in primitive Buddhism there are the categories of existence which are called the five skandhas. Among the five skandhas, there is a very interesting concept which is called samskara. In the Prajnaparamita Sutra, it is translated as impulses. According to Doctor Conze it is regarded as together-maker. That concept of samskara is a very interesting teaching.
[In] the development of Buddhism this concept, samskara, [appears in] many [places]. For instance, we already learned this year in a talk given by Reb Anderson that in Abhidharmakosha there are five psychological categories of existence:
One is elements of form; that is the six organs, the six objects.
The second one is six consciousnesses.
The third category is called function: the concomitant mental faculties. That means function of the mind: the wholesome and unwholesome functions concomitant with the six consciousnesses. There are many kinds of concomitant functions of the mind: for instance anger, hatred, et cetera; many things.
[The fourth category is] very interesting, because [it] is an element which is completely not associated with the mind of the six consciousnesses, [nor] concomitant mental faculties, nor the elements of form, nor the fifth one, which is the truth. That is what is called samskara.
In Abhidharmakosha, samskara is [included in] many things. […] I am very interested in this element which is not associated with the mind and not associated with the truth, […] but that is sort of a force.
In the book “The Central Conception Of Buddhism”, [the author] said about this:
A force, it must be recalled, shouldn’t be regarded as a real influence of something extending beyond its own existence in order to penetrate into another. But, simply as a condition, or a fact, upon which another fact arises, or becomes prominent by itself. This is samskara in the Buddhist system.
(From The Central Conception of Buddhism and the Meaning of the Word Dharma by Theodore Stcherbatsky
So, samskara [as] a force shouldn’t be regarded as a real influence of something extending beyond its own existence in order to penetrate into another. So samskara is not [a real] force penetrating into other beings, but it is a kind of condition. A condition is a fact which occurs between two [objects]. But mainly, these conditions are what is called origination and decay. According to primitive Buddhism, that is impermanence, or constant change – appearing and disappearing, appearing and disappearing. So broadly speaking, force is understood like this.
Anyway, force is not a real “force,” but a condition; a conditioned element which occurs between two objects. And also this conditioned element has a certain power to concert two things, to exist.
So that’s why this author says, “… simply as a condition, or a fact, upon which another fact arises, or becomes prominent by itself. This is samskara.”
9:02
For instance, yesterday I told you that story about Gensha Shibi. On the way on his travels, he stumbled [and] struck his toes on a rock. Blood appeared, and he screamed, “Ouch!” And he had the question: “Body and mind does not exist; where does this pain come from?” So, he attained enlightenment from this point, and he went back to his temple and practiced under Seppō Zen Master.
Let’s recall this story. The rock, his toes, his body and mind, particularly his legs, and also his nails which came out by the hitting: here are simple objects. Rock; his toes. Between his toes and the rock, there is no function of the human consciousness. Is there something there? If there is something, it is called [force], which means a conditioned element which happens between two objects; on rock and toe. Something happens. That is a condition. Under the condition, the two objects are combined, unified, as just one. At that time, something happens; that is called event, fact. That’s why this author says, “… simply as a condition, or a fact, upon which another fact arises.” There is a fact, which is called a conditioned element, between the two, and then the two things are unified perfectly. And then, something happens; this is another fact. So, this is called event. Occurrence.
So from this point, conditioned elements are sort of a “force” – but actually not a force (in the physical sense), but some force to enable two beings to be combined or unified perfectly. That means, in other words, when Gensha Shibi’s toe is used perfectly, fitting into its object, which is called rock, at that time it is called something happens. And on the other hand, when the rock is used completely perfectly, fitting into toe, at that time, that is called an event – [“Ouch.”]
Do you understand? This is samskara.
13:02
So what is samskara? Samskara [is] together-maker. Together-maker means conditioned element. Conditioned elements are completely something which are not associated with your mind.
Yesterday or the day before, I told you mind is characterized by dichotomy of two beings […]. But in the context of samskara, there is no mind which is associated with conditioned elements. No way; nothing. But, these conditioned elements are a kind of force, which is called to combine, to unify two beings, object and subject. At that time, there is something that happens.
So in the process of combining and unifying two objects, there is no mind. It is perfect. Perfect. That’s why there is no room even slightly to let human conscious speculation insert into it. Nothing. That’s why, very naturally, all delusions, dullness and distraction, drop off. No dullness, no distraction, no confusion. Completely nothing. And then, something happens.
And when the something happens – that is event or occurrence – at that time, mind associates with this event. That is what is called after something. Something happens after: mind associates with this occurrence which happened. And it’s okay – that is very natural. Simultaneously this happens.
But the point is, at that time, when the mind attaches to events, this is called the conditioned world, the dualistic world. But when mind doesn’t attach to this event, it turns into the truth. That is the unconditioned world.
That’s why samskara is sort of a bridge, which [enables] you to take it to the dualistic world or the not-dualistic world. [It] is completely a bridge, or door.
The door is free, always free. No delusions, no confusions. Always the door exists. But something happens, and at the moment when it happens, mind associates and attaches to something. At that time, you can enter into the dualistic world. But when mind doesn’t attach to [something]: Oh! Immediately you can go to the truth.
Unfortunately, mind is always characterized by dichotomy, as I told you. So more or less, we immediately enter into the dualistic world.
But a point is, it’s not necessary to be confused. We have to awaken to the nature of the mind as much as possible. As best as we can, we have to awaken to [it]. What is the characteristic of mind? [The characteristic of] mind is to immediately associate with occurrence and attach to it; at that time, you can get into the gate of the dualistic world. So you should awaken to it. If you awaken to it perfectly, through and through, that is a very good chance to enter, to move to [the] truth.
How? We have to use our bodies and minds. They must be used perfectly. For what? For zazen. Or for the rock. When your toe is completely used perfectly for the rock, [something happens].
So in other words, we have to return to the origin of the existential situation, conditions. Let’s return to the origin. That is … something happens. There is a force between the two; so that conditioned element is kind of a force to combine, to unify, to concert two things. Within this, [there is] no mind. Completely nothing. But unfortunately we have a mind, so we cannot ignore the mind. So we have to use the mind.
So first, we have to use our body, [or] in other words, [the] toe. The rock corresponds to zazen; the toe is your body. When your body is perfectly used for the rock or zazen, without mind associated with this condition… Just a condition. Let’s use the body perfectly, fitting into zazen. At that time, something happens. We call that zazen. That is an occurrence we can see. Immediately mind attaches to it: “Oh, that is [mine].” This is too late! [He laughs.] We see zazen: that is not real zazen, that is a picture of zazen, an image of zazen. So we attach to it, and if we attach to it your zazen is already in the dualistic world, so it’s not real zazen. But if we don’t attach to this occurrence, your zazen turns into the gate of the truth, which is called the unconditioned world. This really beautiful zazen blooms.
21:38
I already told you a few stories so far. Dogen gives lots of examples, but he didn’t explain concretely about each story. But the few stories I told you really [imply very well] the meaning of shikantaza, [which is] zazen based on body and mind dropping off.
[Dogen] says [in Fukanzazengi]:
In addition, the bringing about of enlightenment by the opportunity provided by a finger, a banner, a needle, or a mallet, and the effecting of realization with the aid of a hosu (that is, a whisk), a fist, a staff, or a shout…
Those things come from the old stories [of the exchanges] between the Zen masters and the Zen monks; [they are explained] in this book in the note. Overall it’s not [necessary to know]; I don’t have enough time to explain everything. That’s why I told you a few stories: Gensha Shibi’s, and one more I forgot.
… cannot be fully understood by one’s discriminative thinking.
We cannot understand why Gensha Shibi attained enlightenment by striking his toes and seeing the blood coming up. We don’t understand. Why? The blood has a mysterious power? I don’t think so. Blood is blood. His toes have a particular mysterious power? No. He didn’t use telepathy – just a rock. Rock is rock; it has no mysterious power. So why did he attain enlightenment?
[In the distance, the sound of a police siren starts.] Because, I told you before, [without mind,] something happens with the rock, and toes, and the Gensha Shibis, and the [unintelligible] –– all are beings which are not associated with the mind. So everything exists, day after day, in the process of change, completely in the stream of change. [The police siren is getting louder.] Birds, zazen, and that siren: all things exist in peace and harmony, in the stream of change. And then something happens, according to [a] conditioned element, which will happen between the two. That conditioned element – [the police siren finally stops] – is characterized by one object, one being, used perfectly for another being, fitting into its object perfectly. This is conditioned element.
For instance: a sound comes up. Your ears hear the sound outside. When your ears [are] completely [used] perfectly, fitting into the sound, at that time you can hear. By what? Well, conditioned elements, which is called [source], together-maker. That conditioned element, from where does it come? We don’t know. We know it’s there. Well, according to Buddhist philosophy, that is called dependent origination – or change, constant change. The function of the conditioned element [is change], always – and interdependence: always connected.
The sound is completely used for your ear, fitting into your ear perfectly. At that time, your ear becomes one with sound. And then, something happens. That [is] sound.
At that time, that is event. And then immediately, mind associates with this siren, or your ear. And then, that is a gate. Which way would you like to go: this way, or that way? Very quick, very quick. And also, mind is very tricky. If you realize, “Hey, yes, mind is very tricky,” then you are already tricked. [He laughs with the group.] “I understand mind, how tricky mind is” – so you are already tricked by your understanding of how tricky mind is! So already, again and again, it is snowballing, first of all.
Then finally what you have to do is: stop it. Stop it. How can you stop it? You cannot stop the mind. So, the first important thing in order to stop the mind [is that] first your body must be used perfectly, fitting into your object. At that time, very naturally, mind stops. Can you [imagine]? Because your body and breath becomes one with zazen. At that time, your body is completely one with zazen.
28:46
And then, the problem is, mind associates with it and attaches to it; at that time, you cannot see the oneness. And then, the mind misunderstands oneness.
For instance, [the mind understands that] oneness is just like “the moon reflected in the water.” [That is a] combination of two things; it is not oneness, because two different things exist. So Dogen Zenji says it like this in the Genjokoan: “Oneness is not like moon reflected in the water, water in which moon is reflected.”
So, what is oneness? Oneness appears, oneness manifests itself, only when your body is perfectly used and fitting into your object. At that time, your body merges itself in zazen. So, your body doesn’t appear; just zazen. When you see zazen, just zazen. When you see your body, just the body appears, and zazen doesn’t appear.
We don’t understand yet, because… [For instance], there is a good example. There is a saying, “[Like] a lump of clay.” How you use this clay depends on you, but let’s imagine we try to make a doll. Or a plate, china – whatever it is. Let’s make a plate, or a China dish. [Or] also a doll.
When you use this lump of clay perfectly, fitting into dish: at that time, where is the clay? You cannot say, “That is clay.” You say “dish.” When you see the dish … clay is completely hidden behind the dish. Perfect.
When you make a doll with this clay, you don’t call that “clay,” you call it “doll.” A Japanese doll, or American doll; you say so. At that time, the clay doesn’t appear; in the realm of the doll world, it’s completely hidden. It isn’t disappeared; it’s always there. But we don’t [see] it; always we see the doll. When you see [it], just see the doll, that’s enough. If so, the clay is hidden behind the doll. [The clay is] support, great support. But you cannot always say, “That is a doll; no clay.” You cannot say so.
On the other hand, turn it around: if you see the doll in terms of just the clay. It’s clay; the same clay with which you make a dish. So you say, “Those clays are the same.” In terms of the clay, doll and dish are completely hidden behind the clay; just the clay appears. That’s why we are interested in the subject of what kind of clay you use. So [we] discuss [the commonality]: you don’t care about the doll, you don’t care about the dish. Analyzing, synthesizing: this is [science].
Because, the total picture of the dish as a being possesses a double face. But this double face is not a combination of the two things. Just like the moon reflected in the water: that’s not oneness. Oneness is when you see the doll, just see the doll. At that time, clay doesn’t appear. Dogen Zenji says, “When one is bright, the other one is dark.” “The other one is dark” doesn’t mean the other one disappears. It’s there, but it doesn’t interrupt. One side, doll’s life, and this life, this great support, which doesn’t appear yet on the surface of the doll’s world.
This is oneness.
The same applies to our zazen. First of all, mind is always associating with events, which is called “practice of zazen.” So at the time you attach to your zazen […] you enter into dualistic zazen. At that time, zazen is used as a means. But when your mind doesn’t attach to it, your zazen enters into the truth.
35:32
So how can you stop the functioning of your mind?
You cannot stop it. The all-important point is, let’s return to the origin, which is called samskara’s world. Which is called elements which are not associated with mind and truth – completely nothing. Let’s return to conditioned elements.
How can we return to conditioned elements? Because I told you before, conditioned elements are characterized by unifying two beings perfectly. That means one object is used perfectly, fitting into its object. This is conditioned element. So, let’s return to this. When your body and breath are used perfectly, fitting into zazen – at that time, something happens. That is zazen as an event.
The mind immediately catches it. That’s, “I got it.” [He laughs.] You catch it. The moment when you “catch” it, there is attachment. That’s why regulation of the mind is important. That is, Dogen Zenji says, “Throw away good or bad, right or wrong. Have no design of becoming a buddha.” Through and through, we have to practice having no [design] of becoming buddha, no reward there. Just return to conditioned element, using your body, perfectly fitting into the object, zazen. At that time, your body becomes one very naturally with zazen. So your body is made as zazen. It is zazen. That’s all.
And then when we see just the zazen, it is zazen. It is just zazen. Well, where is your body? Your body is hidden behind the zazen. That body doesn’t bother zazen. Just zazen. Just like a doll and also a dish.
But on the other hand, if you see that zazen from the back, which is called clay, or your body, breath and mind: at that time, the body appears. Zazen is completely hidden behind it. It doesn’t bother you.
Then at that time, mind and all delusions completely drop off. This is zazen; shikantaza.
Shikantaza, based on body and mind dropping off, is not a new idea mentioned by Dogen. It’s really Buddhism. You can explain it according to Buddhist psychology. But we don’t understand the real meaning of samskara, and also about the element which is not associated with mind. We understand it just as a concept, apart from human life. That’s why we don’t understand it.
39:44
And also, one of the elements which are not associated with mind is obtaining or getting. Between the two [objects] there is a conditioned element which is called obtaining, getting. In Sanskrit we say prāpti, meaning to get, to obtain.
Obtaining is to obtain and complete something. That is a characteristic of conditioned element: to get and complete. There are three kinds of getting and completing:
One is, you can sow a seed of the truth. Even though your body and mind exist in the dualistic world, you can sow a seed. [Sow] a seed is completely a seed; not [a plant].
And also, [second,] you can manifest; your actions are actualized. In other words, you can manifest your actions in your daily living. That is [a] complete [plant]. Even though you are in the dualistic world, you can [plant], you can complete Buddha’s world right now, right here, actualized in your daily living. This is the second obtaining and completion. On the other hand is seed; you don’t actualize, but you can sow a seed.
For instance, shikantaza. In the shikantaza, all delusions drop off and you don’t understand. But if you do zazen, anyway you can sow the seed, in your mind, in your life. It doesn’t appear, no. But, someday. If you do it, if you really do zazen, using perfectly your body, fitting into zazen, at that time it’s actualization of zazen itself. So even though you don’t understand, you gain something and complete something, [as a truth]. Even though you are [in the] dualistic world, you can do it.
The third one is, you are completely not interested. [He chuckles.] [You say,] “Well, Katagiri says zazen is important, so alright, let’s try to do zazen, you know how it is at Zen Center.” This is zazen, but it doesn’t appear. You can plant a seed; someday, somewhere, real zazen will grow. So this is another opportunity, or possibility.
So, three possibilities. One possibility is to plant a seed. The second possibility is to actualize, in order to complete in your daily living. You can do it. And the third possibility is, no interest. That means, “This zazen, I don’t know. But, just do.” [He laughs.] No spirit of zazen; but Katagiri says let’s do zazen, that’s why just do zazen. But this is also pretty good, because that is possibility which will bloom in the future. That is called completion of liberation, completion of freedom. In other words, you are free. No particular [level], good or bad or neutral. Your life is “so-so.” Are you happy? No. Are you unhappy? No. Are you neutral? No. Well, how do you feel? So-so. That’s okay. Still there is a possibility. So that is one of the conditioned elements which is called obtaining or getting.
So between the two objects, zazen and you, there are three kinds of conditioned elements. Three kinds of conditioned elements means three kinds of possibility [exist]. You can plant a seed, right now, using your body […] completely, according to instructions. You can plant seeds, even though you don’t understand. Or, you can completely actualize completion. According to suggestions and instructions, you can find, you can realize. If you actualize exactly, even though intellectually you cannot reach it, it’s really actualized. So, you can complete something in your daily living. And also between zazen and you there is another possibility: “Well, I don’t understand. Well, I don’t want to do it, but I [will] just do it… [so-so].”
The best way, that is…
[Tape change.]
… in the context of conditioned elements.
How? Using your body, perfectly fitting into your object. At that time, your body becomes one with zazen, zazen becomes one with you, very naturally. At that time, there is something that happens. That is called zazen.
The [problem] is, mind attaches to it. That’s why Dogen Zenji says, let’s practice regulation of the mind, no design of having reward. That is the [problem], so we have to understand what is mind. Very tricky mind, very “monkey” mind, always.
Well, we have to make every possible effort to do that, [because] we have a mind. Mind is already here; that’s why we have to practice.
So Dogen Zenji says, that’s why …
… it cannot be fully known by the practicing or realizing of supernatural power either.
Even though you can fly in the air, you cannot understand this kind of zazen, okay? [He chuckles.]
Or, Dogen Zenji says,
It must be deportment beyond one’s hearing and seeing.
If you see zazen after real zazen, that is an image of zazen, it is not real zazen.
Deportment means the behavior which is called zazen. In Japanese we call it igi (pronounced “ee-gi”, more or less). The i of igi means “majestic and awe-inspiring.” Very majestic. Gi of igi means fitting into, or mention of, the truth. That is form, your behavior. And that is deportment. Here it says “deportment,” but originally we use igi. Usually we use [the word] behavior, but that behavior is igi in Buddhism, because that behavior has a sense of majesty, and also a sense of the awe-inspiring. Your behavior is fitting into the rhythm of the truth.
So, this behavior which is called zazen is completely beyond hearing or seeing through the six consciousnesses. Let’s return to conditioned elements, that’s all.
But, Dogen Zenji says,
Is it not the principle that is prior to one’s knowledge and perceptions?
That means that zazen, completely beyond hearing and seeing, is not a mysterious thing. There is still [bowing], and being [is] in accord with the function of knowledge and perception. How? Let’s use your body and mind. Breath and mind are perfectly fitting into one object called zazen. At that time, something happens.
And after that, mind associates, that’s all. Then mind says, “Ahh, that’s zazen.” And then you attach [to it]. But before mind, prior to the function of your mind, it’s really just sit. It’s a very simple practice.
That’s why Dogen Zenji says, “Is it not a principle that is prior to one’s knowledge and perceptions?” It’s [there]. You have to [just] really fit into your knowledge and perceptions.
Do you have questions?
52:33
Question: Roshi? In Central Conception of Buddhism, I remember reading in a couple places where he talked about prāpti and, well not exactly its opposite, but the similar force aprāpti. And he talked about prāpti different than you. He called it a force that keeps positives together in one being.
Katagiri: Positives, yes.
Same person: And aprāpti is some force that keeps away.
Katagiri: Yes.
Same person: Could you say a little more about that?
Katagiri: Well that is changing: the function of change, the stream of change, broadly speaking. We analyze that function of change, dividing it into several things – prāpti and aprāpti – but these are just categories. But that means, broadly speaking, there is some force to combine, to put together something, to separate, always. That means appearing, disappearing.
Same person: Could you develop a specific example of something in everyday life that comes up and where…
Katagiri: Well, we always do it. Something happens.
For instance… Well, here is a good example, okay?
When I was at Eiheiji monastery, we had a big earthquake. It was evening of the day on which we performed the memorial service for Dogen’s death, [just before] five o’clock. Right after the service, all the monks were about to leave the zendo, several people in the end of the line stepped out from the zendo, and then the earthquake happened. Fortunately there was no damage to the monastery, but the whole foundation, the hallways and steps dropped down almost an inch, that’s all. No damage.
But here is a very good example. One of my friends was on vacation that day, a day off for him, so he went to Fukui City. It’s a little far from Eiheiji monastery … now, it’s pretty quick, but at that time it took about thirty minutes or so from Eiheiji monastery to Fukui city. So, I don’t know what he did there, but anyway he went. He told me he wanted to see a movie, but he thought, “Oh, tonight is the memorial service; it’s the particular day of performing the memorial service for Dogen’s death. Let’s go back.” So he returned. And then at that time, the whole movie theater completely crashed; everybody died. Because there were several tiers, no posts; if you have a big earthquake, exactly “boom.” All the people died; but he was saved. (Transcriber’s Note: The earthquake killed 3,769 people. See Wikipedia: 1948 Fukui earthquake)
Do you understand? This is a very good example.
One more person was on the train from Fukui City to Eiheiji monastery, because he too thought, “Oh, today is the particular day of performing a memorial service for Dogen, so let’s go back.” He was also in the city, and also he wanted to see the movie, but he was at that time right in the middle of the trip. And then, the train completely tipped off the track. But he survived. Do you understand? This is a very good example.
Same person: Okay, how do these two terms then relate to karma?
Katagiri: I don’t know. I don’t know. [There is some laughter.]
That is karma, maybe past life. Well, you can envision his past life, and also, his karma in the past might be good, he planted good karma in the past. That’s why he wanted to see the movie but he thought, “Oh, no, let’s go back to Eiheiji monastery.” So that is pretty good karma. From where that good sense comes, maybe from a past life.
Same person: So the karma in life influences how strong these forces are enacting?
Katagiri: Sure. In many ways. But only if the times and opportunities are ripe and conditions arranged. Dogen’s memorial day and his day off are set up, and then karma starts to work. [Which way] would you like? You want to go to a movie, or you want go to Eiheiji monastery?
Same person: How then are those conditions separate from the mind, if karma is involved? I mean, things don’t happen randomly.
Katagiri: What is your question?
Same person: Well, you talked about conditioned elements … not relating to the truth or the mind? Did you say that? Well how is that so, if… ?
Katagiri: Well, conditioned elements are very broad. Past, present, future. So, conditioned elements [are] associated with karma.
Same person: But isn’t that associated with mind?
Katagiri: No. Because that karma is completely beyond good or bad, right and wrong. If you judge the karma – it’s good, it’s bad – that is the mind associated with karma. But karma is just karma. That is a conditioned element.
That’s why something happens. Rock, Gensha Shibi’s toes; something happens. But I don’t know; you cannot say it is bad or it is good. Why can you do this? Well, we don’t know. For instance, if you walk on a bridge, and the bridge immediately crashes, and you die: why is it you have to die? No one knows.
Well, that is a good example. Someone dies in that way, and that is conditioned elements, always. Good and bad – that is a matter of the mind. So whether it is associated with karma or not associated – completely beyond. Just conditioned elements. But anyway, conditioned elements are related with the past, present, future. That is conditioned elements.
So philosophically speaking, that is interdependent co-production.
Same person: Well then, we can still see the instant without attaching to it, and learning from that? Because, perhaps if he’d have noticed the rock an instant before, he wouldn’t have bumped his toe on it.
Katagiri: Hmm?
Same person: If Gensha had noticed the rock…
Katagiri: I don’t know. Maybe so.
Same person: Well I’m saying maybe he would have noticed the rock. […] Can we look at that and see that, or is that attaching to it?
Katagiri: That is already the process of your mind, which is working. The rock and his toes completely are beings, as they really are. From moment to moment, [they are] completely beyond, prior to function of the mind, consciousness. Toes, and his body, and rock: just there. If his mind was working before he struck his toes, maybe he wouldn’t have had such an event. But already [something is there]; that means rock as a being, beyond function of human mind. But how do they associate with each other? We don’t know. Because between the two, something connects. That connection is not something that happens right now; it’s really connected with the past and the future. That’s why it’s broad.
That’s why if you don’t pay careful attention to your life – well, many things come up. That’s why all we have to do is, to use perfectly, with our best, fitting into the object – zazen, if we want to do zazen – and become one.
And then after that – well, mind associates and attaches.
So, according to my talk yesterday, we are always seeing the before zazen and after zazen. We miss the middle; that is real zazen. We always understand zazen before zazen and after zazen, or you before zazen, you after zazen. We always look and check, analyze, et cetera, but we miss the most important zazen and practice [as] the middle. Is that clear?
Same person: Mmm-hmm.
1:06:26
Question: Roshi? In Dogen’s writings, the water reflects the Moon? What is the water right now?
Katagiri: Water, according to Dogen’s understanding, is the whole universe. That water is occupying a certain space; water is the universe. When the water becomes one with the moon, when the water reflects the moon, at that time, water is not water, water is the whole universe. At that time, there is no combination of water and moon.
So, if you see the water, immediately there is the moon, but that moon doesn’t appear. That’s why Dogen Zenji says, “When one is bright, the other one is dark.” That means water appears; that water is really the blooming of the universe. Not water; the universe. So the universe includes moon, water, trees, birds. That is the real meaning of the water’s life.
1:08:19
Question: Roshi? Were the two monks expressing their life when they went back to the monastery? Or were they picking and choosing?
Katagiri: Two monks?
Same person: The two monks, your friends that you described. To go back, was that an expression of their life? Or were they picking and choosing? And what’s the difference?
Katagiri: Oh, of course, he chose. [It’s] his life. But by what? What part of his mind did he choose [with]? I don’t know. Maybe karma. It’s connected with the past life, present life, future life. There are many conditions there, many things there. So in the future, the monastery is there, and in the past, his – maybe – karma, he planted a seed in the past. And then many things combined, unified, and he can see something happened. And then his mind catches that event. Monastery, and movies, and his karmas: all things put together, and then something happens. And then the mind catches it. And then the mind chooses, “Let’s go there.”
1:10:20
Question: I still don’t understand the statement, “The body does not exist.” When he stubbed his toe, and he said, “This body does not exist,” or something like that?
Katagiri: Well, if you use the term “body and mind,” already that is the image of the body and mind. You are already taken in by the [word], [tricked], already. “The body and mind doesn’t exist” means, well, body and mind is what? Body and mind is nothing but a being which exists, right now, right here, beyond good or bad, right and wrong. So the body is what? Well, maybe a very important thing, but on the other hand, it’s not important. So if you judge the body from your mind – in other words, if you see the body after something, before something – if you understand the body before and after, always there is [unintelligible]. But really, body and mind is just the being becoming one with you, becoming one with some event.
If you strike your toes on the rock, your body and mind – what? Nothing but the toes. The toes exemplify your whole body and mind. So, toes, [or] your body, are just a being as it is, beyond human speculation. Before you see your body before, something happens. And also if you see your body after something happens, you can say, “that is the body”; that’s why you attach to it and scream, “Ouch!” But right in the middle of occurrence, [body just is]. [There is] no idea of body, because toes and rock are just one. That’s all. By what? Conditioned element. Just one. Your toes are used perfectly for the rock, fitting into it. That’s all. Something happens.
Same person: Why does the pain [continue]? Is that your mind attaching to it and [unintelligible]?
Katagiri: Yes. Pain is sort of the image of some of your experience. [Real] pain is no pain. But if your mind attaches to something, it is called pain sometimes, it is called pleasure sometimes. Your toe, your body, is just one with the rock, right in the middle of the event. No idea of body, no idea of rock, no idea of toe, no idea of pain. Just all things put together; they combine and [appear]. In this realm, there is no confusion; just all things put together. And after that, immediately, mind attaches to it, and then you say, “Body. I have a toe.” And then you say, “Ouch!”
That’s why he said, “Body and mind doesn’t exist; from where does the pain come?” Actually, pain comes from no abode. No abode means just the functioning of the two things, rock and toe. Just the function, total dynamic working, that’s all. Within this, no pain.
Sort of [like] death. If I become one with the death: no pain, no pleasure, nothing. Just dynamic working between death and I. After that, immediately I say, “Ah, this is death!” But it’s too late. We do this always in our daily living. “I died. Oh! This is death.” [He laughs.]
And then we say that is body and mind exist. But I don’t think so. But we cannot ignore that, [because] we have already mind, and also we have lots of customs we have accumulated in the past. That’s why we have to pay careful attention to our body and mind: how to use them, perfectly fitting into certain circumstances, environment: zazen, or whatever.
1:16:36
Question: You said we already have mind, and you had some other statements, Roshi. Does mind exist before these things take place?
Katagiri: Mind […] already exists.
Same person: The mind is always existing?
Katagiri: It exists. Of course.
Same person: Independent of these things? Independent of toe hitting rock?
Katagiri: Oh, independent. You mean [is the] mind independent. Yes, actually… mind is independent from that total dynamic working. Yes. [There is some laughter.] Because the original nature of the mind is already there. Original nature of the mind is what? Not-mind. No mind. It’s just conditioned origination, conditioned co-production. Function. That’s all.
Same person: But anyway, mind exists before these things are happening.
Katagiri: Yes. Original face of the mind is exactly the same as a being. Just like a rock, and toes, and trees, birds, many things. Same. That’s why we call them dharmas. Everything is called dharma. So mind – unwholesome mind or wholesome mind, whatever kind – all are dharmas. Completely the same.
Same person: Can we speak about mind apart from dharmas?
Katagiri: No, we cannot.
Same person: We can’t talk about one [unintelligible]?
Katagiri: If you want to talk about the mind, you have to talk about the mind as a dharma. Because [the mind] is a dharma which exists in the dualistic world, and also which exists in the truth as the original nature of the mind. At that time, no mind. In the context of the truth, there is no idea of the mind.
That’s why Prajnaparamita says “no mind”: “no eyes, no ears, [et cetera].” But how can we know no-mind? That’s why Dogen Zenji says, in the [Shobogenzo] chapter on the Prajnaparamita Sutra he said there is mind, there is eyes, nose, ears, et cetera. That means, use eye, ear, nose, mind, and body perfectly, accommodating to zazen as it is. At that time, the mind, nose and eyes become one with zazen. So – no eyes, no mind, no mouth.
That is the meaning of no mind. No mind doesn’t mean [to] destroy. [It means] using your mind perfectly. How? Fitting into a single object: zazen. At that time, there is no mind.
1:20:44
Question: In the past, you or someone, perhaps Suzuki Roshi, talked about big mind and small mind. When you talk about mind here, Roshi, what are you referring to? Big mind, small mind? All mind?
Katagiri: Both. I’m talking about both.
Picky mind, monkey mind, is small mind. The original nature of the mind is big mind.
Same person: You’re talking about big mind.
Katagiri: Yes, big mind. But we cannot ignore small mind. Because, right after an event occurs, mind associates with it. So you cannot ignore it. That’s why in our practice, we have to practice regulation of the mind. Constantly we have to be mindful of no [design] of having a reward, no [design] of becoming buddha. [We have to] continually do this, otherwise we cannot use our body and mind perfectly, to fit into zazen.
1:22:10
Question: Roshi? When I asked what the water was before, if I understood you, [it was] your explanation of what the water is. And what I wanted to know is, what the water is right now.
Katagiri: That’s why I said the universe.
What is right now? Right now, right here, doesn’t mean something limited by something which is called water. Right now, right here is what? Right now, right here is the universe.
If you say universe, you are already tricked by the word universe. The universe is what? Total function of right now, right here. How can you see the real meaning of right now, right here, [of] the universe? Be alive, right now, right here.
So whatever you say – “that is water,” “that is the moon” – that’s okay, according to this. But when you come back to the dualistic world, water is water. Moment is moment. Space is space. Time is time. Toe is toe. Katagiri is Katagiri. So, how can you know the universe? Using the toe, using right now, right here, perfectly fitting into your object. At that time, the universe blooms. [That] is one; it is not a combination of the water and the moon.
So that’s why Dogen Zenji says, the self is the whole universe. And also, time is being. Time is not time; time is being. Time is space; space is time.
So time is being when you say “right now and right here.” What is time is being? We cannot put a name on it. That’s why we say now-ness, or here-and-now-ness, or eternity, or eternal time – whatever kind of words you use, it’s very difficult to [manifest]. Now and here are the universe.
So, water is the universe. The self is the whole universe. Time is being.
1:25:50
[tape skip]
Question: [Unintelligible.]
Katagiri: Well, because we have enjoyed our little small mind for many years. So we have got used [to] enjoying with it for many, many years. Not only your own life, [but] from the beginningless past, we have done so always. That’s why it’s pretty hard to see the big mind immediately.
It really depends on the individual. Maybe someone [really] can see big mind after practicing three years, or five years, maybe ten years. Maybe so. It doesn’t matter.
That’s why it’s pretty hard. But the important point is, when we practice, we have to practice zazen not as the being involved in the many things in the dualistic world. Analyzing, synthesizing; “I like this,” “I don’t like this,” “I feel good,” “I don’t feel good,” “That’s why I want do this,” “I don’t want to do this”… This is very messy. [He laughs.] No matter how long you practice zazen, you cannot find big mind [that way]. Anyway, that is that; it’s not necessary to destroy or hate or like [those thoughts]. [Leave them] alone. All you have to do is, just right zazen, if you want to do zazen.
1:27:50
Question: Roshi? Is aprāpti always present when prāpti is present?
Katagiri: That is a very conceptualized thing. There are lots of terms there; but in Mahayana Buddhism we don’t believe they are really something which exist. If you say something which exists, it has substance.
Same person: Okay, well in the story that you gave us as an example of prāpti and aprāpti, it seemed to me, if I understand it right, prāpti was the force that brought your friend back to the monastery, and aprāpti was the earthquake. And they were both present at that time. I think; if I understand the terms.
Katagiri: Aprāpti is a kind of force which kept my friend at Eiheiji monastery separate from the movie theater. [He laughs.] It kept him away, saving him from death. That is aprāpti: there is something separate; a force to separate. Or sometimes put together; at that time, unfortunately, you have to die. But he was saved; that is, maybe, a force of aprāpti.
Question: Do you mean, Roshi, because he changed his mind?
Katagiri: Aprāpti is not-obtaining or not-getting. That is a kind of force; that means a conditioned element. So, before your mind is [exercised], there is some kind of force, to attach to, or to separate from; to put together, or to separate. That is total dynamic working.
Is that clear? That is aprāpti: force to separate from something.
Same person: Is that like inertia, Roshi?
Katagiri: Nausea?
Same person: Inertia.
Katagiri: Inertia. What is that?
Same person: The force that things at rest tend to stay at rest, and things that are moving tend to…
Katagiri: No, if you say force, that force has a certain kind of power to penetrate into another.
Same person: No, that’s not [at all what] I mean. [Unintelligible.] So things that, like what you’re talking about prāpti and aprāpti, things that [are] at rest tend to stay at rest unless something…
Katagiri: No.
Another person: Roshi, what simplified it for me was when you explained in the book that aprāpti was […] a force that kept away the negatives, and prāpti was the force that brought towards you positives. Is that correct understanding?
Katagiri: Towards you or towards your object. [That is separate].
Question: So are these functions that function in people that are actively engaged in practicing the Buddha’s way? Or for anyone?
Katagiri: Who?
Same person: Aprāpti and prāpti. With the two in the example you gave, both of those people were monks, they were practicing the Buddha’s way. And we’re talking about either being drawn to positive or kept away from negative things. Are those terms also used just to describe events in anyone’s life? In Roman Catholics’ life?
Katagiri: Sure. [Laughter.] It’s universal. Yes. [Laughter.]
Question: Are they simultaneous, Roshi? Prāpti and aprāpti? Do they operate simultaneously?
Katagiri: Sometimes together, sometimes different, okay? Because sometimes you can see them both. [You can] say “I want to go there,” “I don’t want to go there” simultaneously, so you don’t know what to do. The sort of original nature of such a feeling comes from prāpti and aprāpti. Intellectually, you know pretty well you should choose this one, but actually you don’t know what to do, so you can see them both. So sometimes both work together, sometimes separately.
1:33:42
Question: Roshi, do you know the term “creation stories”? Most cultures have them; religions have creation stories that explain how it all started. Like “Adam and Eve” is a creation story…
[Tape change.]
Katagiri: Well, the Abhidharmakosha is [this] outlook on the human world, the structure of the human world, the structure of human beings. They explain how the world is created, just like creation of the world mentioned by Christianity.
According to [that], I told you about Mount Sumeru. Right in the middle of the Universe there is the huge Mount Sumeru. At the top of the mountain, the gods exists, and four kinds of guardians exist, protecting the gods. And also eight mountains, and nine beautiful, fragrant oceans. And then, four kinds of currents exist: north, south, east, west. [The southern part of the planet] is the human world. […] In the first book of Abhidharmakosha, the whole book is an explanation of how this structure and form exists. Very interesting.