Fire Boy Seeks Fire

This post continues the thread from the previous post with a reflection on the fire boy koan. See below for the koan although I’ll be first offering you Dogen’s set up for this koan from his Extensive Record, #15.

Let’s get right into the old boy’s words (in italics) and mine (in plain font):

The seed of buddhas arises from conditions, buddha dharma arises from the outset.

Buddhas too immersed and leaping in the muck of life – kids to drive around, a job to do, bills to pay. The conditions are not the problem or the enemy. The truth vividly bouncing along since the beginning without even a hair’s breadth of a space.

When you encounter good conditions, do not stumble but just practice.

In bad conditions too. Easier said than done. How do those Buddhas do it? Damn. And good conditions pass often while we are thinking they’ll last for long. Seize the day, friend.

Within practice there are both subduing and surrender.

The master and the servant are two sides of this coin. To be strong and soft according the moment at hand is the fruit of practice.

Staying here, do not stumble, but just wholeheartedly engage the Way.

Where ever you stay, make it the practice place, allowing for the fantasy of some easier place and time. Say “hi” as the fantasy arises but don’t invite it in for tea.

Within wholehearted engaging of the Way there is both practice and effort.

There’s nothing to add to that – whoops!

With one morning of thoroughness, ten thousand dharmas become complete. If you are not yet thorough, ten thousand dharmas stumble.

Clearly, it is all up to each of us, complete or stumbling dharma is in each of our lives – nowhere else.