Viewing zazen as the most honored one determined our attitude
toward our whole lives. What should our outlook be? Here’s my best
attempt to express what my teacher inscribed in my mind.
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Gaining is delusion and losing is realization.
Don’t try to get any benefit. Don’t be greedy, and don’t regret
losing.
Never establish an organization. Things achieved by an
institution will collapse because of that institution. The rise
and fall of accomplishments is nothing other than the
transmigration within samsara. This was Sawaki Roshi’s
fundamental attitude.
Teach individuals one by one. Rather than educating people
generally within a system, we need to address each
individually, since each is unique.
Don’t ask for donations. People have the idea that if they’re
involved in a temple, they’ll be asked to donate. This has
seriously injured the Buddha Dharma. We never ask for
donations. That way people can come without worrying about
money.
Don’t be fickle. Don’t act pulled by your self-centered
thoughts.
If you’re careless, you’ll become famous and achieve a high
position. Make every effort not to rise in the world. Particularly
after age forty, fame and profit will be tempting.
Each of these instructions at first glance may sound straightforward.
Yet when you look closely, you’ll find that they are not the
mainstream teaching of this world. Sawaki Roshi not only taught
these sayings, he practiced them as an example . . .
Whenever I encounter trouble, [these teachings] come to mind,
and I find my teacher is still instructing me. I am deeply grateful for
this.