no-ego!!!

[Mornings Son]

To Zen master Fukushima, it's most important for each and every one of us to know about and hold to the goal of "no ego."



He says, "We are wrapped up in layers of ego including our own
individual egos, the egos of our national identities, and so on. To the
extent that we let go of ego, the conflicts that surround us can be
alleviated. Then a profound sense of loving compassion for others will
well up within us. This Zen teaching of being mu is my message to people
of the 21st century."

[Wei Shan Yang]

On the topic of ego, I have this to contribute. It's from a book I'm currently reading on the life of Yeshe Tsogyel. In this part she is in a new city, is carrying gold, and 7 thieves come and stalk her with the intent to rob her of the gold. Instead of reacting in a 'normal' way, she turns to the thieves and arranges the gold in a mandala and sings a song to them:



You seven thieves with whom I have previous karmic connection,

Know that aggression and malice are Mirror-like Awareness itself -

Radiance and clarity have no other source

Than a hostile mind filled with anger and enmity.

Look into your anger

And there is the strength of a Diamond Being, Vajrasattva!

Detached from appearances, you are purified in Emptiness.



This maiden's fatherland is Overflowing Joy

Serene fields of Emptiness of Visionary Pleasure;

I am no stickler for conventional names and forms

So if your favored lady's land appeals to you,

I will lead you there.







You seven thieves with whom I have previous karmic connection,

Know that pride and vain complacency are Awareness of Sameness -

Primal purity in meditative composure cannot be found

Except in an ambitious mind that believes itself supreme.

Look into natural purity

And there is a Fountain of Jewels, Ratnasambhava!

Detached from the state of Emptiness, light-form is pure.



This maiden's father is the source of every gratification,

he is the wish-fulfilling gem itself;

I am no glutton for the illusory chattels of wealth

So if you think you would like the old man

I will part with him.







You seven thieves with whom I have previous karmic connection,

Know that desire and covetousness are Discriminating Awareness -

You will find fine sensory distinction in no other place

Than a mind hungering for beautiful things, wanting the whole world.

Look into the intrinsic freshness of your desire

And there is Boundless Light, Amitabha!

Detached from radiance, your pleasure is purified.



This maiden's mother is Boundless Light

And in her is pure pleasure unlimited;

I am no votary of the quality of feeling

So if this old lady appeals to you

I will give her away.







You seven thieves with whom I have previous karmic connection,

Know that envy and alienation are All-Accomplishing Awareness -

Efficiency and success have no other source

Than a bigoted mind that is quick to judge and hold a grudge.

Look behind jealous thoughts

and there is immediate success, Amoghasiddhi!

Detached from crass envy and subtle resentments,

whatever occurs is pure.



This maiden's Lama is Every Purpose Spontaneously

Accomplished,

The Lama whose every action is invariably consummated;

So because I am no slave to the sphere of my work

If you want this Lama

I will abandon him to you.







You seven thieves with whom I have previous karmic connection,

Know that ignorance and stupidity are Awareness of Dynamic Space -

There is no other way to hold fast to the path

Than through ignorance and dense understanding.

Look into ignorance

And there is Dynamic Visionary Panorama, Vairocana!

Detached from hypnotic states, whatever arises is pure.



This maiden's beloved is Visionary Panorama

And I love that ultimate consort, the Illuminator;

And since I am no adherent of the duality of vision and viewer,

If you desire my service

I will show you the way.







Upon ending her song, the thieves were filled with undivided faith and wanted to be free of karmic suffering and begged for instruction and precepts. After receiving them, they gained release from samsara and wanted to come with Yeshe but she refused and continued on her way.

[Nagual LoneWolf]

Nice Tiff!

[Wei Shan Yang]

Glad you like. This comes from the Dzogchen teaching of the empty house. Thieves cannot steal from an empty house, and from the perspective of the owner then the thieves are not even thieves.

[Guest]