PROFOUNDLY MUNDANE
SANSUI KYŌ | 山水經
PART TWELVE
An old buddha has said, “If you wish to avoid the karma of Avīci hell, do not slander the true Dharma wheel of the Thus Come One.”
These words should be engraved on skin, flesh, bones, and marrow, engraved on interior and exterior of body and mind, engraved on emptiness and on form; they are engraved on trees and rocks, engraved on fields and villages.
Although we say that mountains belong to the country, actually they belong to those who love them. When the mountains love their owners, the wise and virtuous inevitably enter the mountains. And when sages and wise men live in the mountains, because the mountains belong to them, trees and rocks flourish and abound, and the birds and beasts take on a supernatural excellence. This is because the sages and wise men have covered them with their virtue. We should realize that the mountains actually take delight in wise men, actually take delight in sages.
We now encounter the profound wisdom expressed in the words of The Old Buddha: "If you wish to avoid the karma of Avīci hell, do not slander the true Dharma wheel of the Thus Come One." These words carry a profound message - a reminder to delve into the heart of reverence for and dedication to the sacred teachings. They serve as a call to etch these teachings into the core of our being, making them an indelible part of our existence, a constant guiding light urging us to return to the path.
But what do these sacred teachings encompass? They are not remote or arcane, hidden in some distant realm; instead, they are intricately woven into the tapestry of our everyday lives. The heat of fire, the movement of the wind, the wetness of water—these elemental truths are not merely mundane occurrences. They are, in reality, the true expressions of the sacred Dharma wheel. When we awaken to the divine essence inherent in the ordinary moments of our lives, we embark on a profound journey of awakening.
Furthermore, the text encourages us to adopt a direct and nonjudgmental approach to our lived experiences. It invites us to peel away the layers of preconceived notions and the stories we weave around our existence. By engaging with life directly, without the biases of judgment, we authentically "enter into the mountains." This goes beyond the mere act of being amidst natural landscapes; it signifies a profound awakening to the unmediated reality of our existence - thus, we become the landscape.
Dōgen then imparts a vital warning: when we express doubt or judgment regarding the genuine Dharma wheel or the inherent wisdom present in our lived experiences, we inadvertently create a divide. This division leads us down the karmic path towards Avīci hell. By approaching life with the weight of our expectations and judgments, we alienate ourselves from our true nature, unwittingly crafting the confines of a small self and the ensuing karmic entanglements.
Conversely, when we approach life with openness and a willingness to embrace it just as it unfolds, our small self dissolves, and we find ourselves in harmony with the Way. This harmonious state finds a beautiful parallel in the relationship between Sages, who harbor a deep love and respect for the mountains and the mountains themselves. This sacred bond is as intimate as possible; there is no separation. Within this connection, we manifest all the virtues of the Mountains, embodying grace and abundance.
Essentially, this passage serves as a guiding light, encouraging us to fully appreciate our lives, unburdened by the veils of judgment and the narratives we construct. It calls upon us to honor the omnipresent sacred teachings, even in the most mundane aspects of our daily existence. In doing so, we liberate ourselves from the cycle of suffering and actively participate in creating a world where virtues, harmony, and compassion flourish.
