True Emptiness

Subhuti was Buddha’s disciple. He was able to understand the Potency of Emptiness, the viewpoint that nothing exists except in its relationship of subjectivity and objectivity.

One day Subhuti, in a Mood of Sublime Emptiness, was sitting under a tree. Flowers began to fall about him.

“We are Praising you for your Discourse on Emptiness,” the Gods whispered to him.

“But I have not spoken of emptiness,” said Subhuti.

“You have not spoken of emptiness, we have not heard emptiness,” responded the gods. “This is true emptiness.” And blossoms showered upon Subhuto as rain.

Quote from ” OWN ZERO “

Enlightenment 360º is ….. True Emptiness with Full Silence.

Love All.

(c) ram H singhal

Invisible Sutras

Tetsugen, a devotee of Zen in Japan, decided to publish the sutras in Japanese , which at that time were available only in Chinese. a tremendous undertaking.

Tetsugen began by traveling and collecting donations for this purpose. After ten years Tetsugen had Enough money to begin his Task.

It happened that at that time the Uji River overflowed. Famine followed. Tetsugen took the funds he had collected for the books and spent them to save others from starvation. Then he began again his work of collecting.

Several years afterwards an epidemic spread over the country. Tetsugen again gave away what he had collected, to help his people.

For a Third time he started his work, and after twenty years his wish was fulfilled.

The printing blocks which produced the First edition of Sutras can be seen today in the Obaku monastery in Kyoto.

The Japanese tell their children that Tetsugen made Three Sets of Sutras, and that the First two Invisible sets surpass even the Last.

Enlightenment 360º is ….. Invisible Sutras of Compassion and Care.

Love All.

(c) ram H singhal

Message of Sage

“Our schoolmaster used to take a nap every afternoon,” related a disciple of Soyen Shaku.

“We children asked him why he did it and he told us: ‘I go to dreamland to meet the old sages just as Confucius did.’ When Confucius slept, he would dream of ancient sages and later tell his followers about them.

“It was extremely hot one day so some of us took a nap.

Our schoolmaster scolded us. ‘We went to dreamland to meet the ancient sages the same as Confucius did,’ we explained.

‘What was the message from those sages?’ our schoolmaster demanded.

One of us replied:

‘We went to dreamland and met the sages and asked them if our schoolmaster came there every afternoon, but they said they had never seen any such fellow.

Enlightenment 360º is ….. Message of Sage, Freedom from Ego Cage .

Love All.

(c) ram H singhal

” HOW ” to ” NOW “

During the Kamakura period, Zen Master Shinkan studied Tendai six years and then studied Zen seven years; then he went to China and contemplated Zen for thirteen years more.

When he returned to Japan many desired to interview him and asked obscure questions. he seldom answered their questions.

One day a fifty-year-old student of enlightenment said to Shinkan: “I have studied the Tendai school of thought since I was a little boy, but one thing in it I cannot understand.

Tendai School claims that even the Grass and Trees will become Enlightened.

To me this seems very strange.”

“Of what use is it to discuss how grass and trees become enlightened?” asked Shinkan. “The question is ” HOW ” you yourself can become so. Did you even consider that?”

“I never thought of it that way,” marveled the old man.

“Then go home and think it over,” finished Shinkan.

Enlightenment 360º is ….. a Journey from ” HOW ” to ” NOW “.

Love All.

(c) ram H singhal

Unchanging Sense of Timeless

Sixty-six times have these eyes beheld the changing scene of Autumn.
I have said enough about Moonlight,
Ask no more.
Only Listen to the Voice of Pines and Cedars when no Wind stirs.

Buddhist Nun Ryonen 

Enlightenment 360º is ….. to Witness Changing Scene of Time Body Outside and Unchanging Sense of Timeless Soul Inside .

Love All.

(c) ram H singhal

The True Path

Just before Ninakawa passed away the Zen Master Ikkyu visited him. “Shall I lead you on?” Ikkyu asked.

Ninakawa replied: “I came here alone and I go alone. What help could you be to me?”

Ikkyu answered: “If you think you really come and go, that is your delusion. Let me show you the path on which there is no coming and going.”

With his words, Ikkyu had revealed the path so clearly that Ninakawa smiled and passed away.

Enlightenment 360º is ….. Mirroring and Knowing the True Nature of Eternal Soul.

Love All.

(c) ram H singhal

“What are you saying!”

The Zen master Mu-nan had only one successor. His name was Shoju. After Shoju had completed his study of Zen, Mu-nan called him into his room. “I am getting old,” he said, “and as far as I know, Shoju, you are the only one who will carry on this teaching.

Here is a book. It has been passed down from master to master for seven generations. I have also added many points according to my understanding. The book is very valuable, and I am giving it to you to represent your successorship.”

“If the book is such an important thing, you had better keep it,” Shoju replied. “I received your Zen without writing and am satisfied with it as it is.”

“I know that,” said Mu-nan. “Even so, this work has been carried from master to master for seven generations, so you may keep it as a symbol of having received the teaching. Here.”

They happened to be talking before a brazier. The instant Shoju felt the book in his hands he thrust it into the flaming coals.

He had no lust for possessions.

Mu-nan, who never had been angry before, yelled: “What are you doing!”

Shoju shouted back: “What are you saying!”

Enlightenment 360º is ….. an Intangible Experience of Nothingness.

Love All.

(c) ram H singhal

True Reformation

Zen Master Ryokan devoted his life to the study of Zen. One day he heard that his nephew, despite the admonitions of relatives, was spending his money on a courtesan.

In as much as the nephew had taken Ryokan’s place in managing the family estate and the property was in danger of being dissipated, the relatives asked Ryoken to do something about it.

Ryokan had to travel a long way to visit his nephew, whom he had not seen for many years. The nephew seemed pleased to meet his uncle again and invited him to remain overnight.

All night Ryokan sat in meditation. As he was departing in the morning he said to the young man: “I must be getting old, my hand shakes so. Will you help me tie the string of my straw sandal?”

The nephew helped him willingly. “Thank you,” finished Ryokan, “you see, a man becomes older and feebler day by day. Take good care of yourself.” Then Ryokan left, never mentioning a word about the courtesan or the complaints of the relatives. But, from that morning on, the dissipations of the nephew ended ….. A True Reformation

Enlightenment 360º is ….. True Reformation and Total Transformation.

Love All.

(c) ram H singhal

The Stone Mind

Zen Master Hogen , lived alone in a small temple in the country.

One day four traveling monks appeared and asked if they might make a fire in his yard to warm themselves.

While they were building the fire, Hogen heard them arguing about subjectivity and objectivity.

He joined them and said: “There is a big stone. Do you consider it to be inside or outside your mind?”

One of the monks replied: “From the Buddhist viewpoint everything is an objectification of mind, so I would say that the stone is inside my mind.”

“Your head must feel very heavy,” observed Hogen, “if you are carrying around a stone like that in your mind.”

Enlightenment 360º is ….. Meeting point of Mortal Objectivity and Eternal Subjectivity.

Love All.

(c) ram H singhal

True Nature

Zengetsu, a Chinese ZEN Master of the T’ang dynasty, wrote the following advice for his pupils:

Living in the world yet not forming attachments to the dust of the world is the way of a True Zen Student.

When witnessing the Good Action of another encourage , yourself to follow his example.

Hearing of the mistaken action of another, advise yourself not to emulate it.

Even though alone in a dark room, be as if you were facing a noble guest.

Express your feelings, but become no more Expressive than your True Nature.

Enlightenment 360º is …..  Blissful Happiness and True Nature of our Eternal Soul.

Love All.

(c) ram H singhal