Shin-ippo (進一歩: Advancing A Step)

Good evening!

Now we have spring in full swing with all kinds of flowers blooming together. Flowers are truthful, peaceful, beautiful, good, and holy – nothing wrong – using natural energy and everything all together.

Today we received a poster on a symposium titled “shin-ippo (???), advancing a step.” This phrase comes from the koan of “advancing a step at the top of a 100 foot pole.” Of course we don’t want to fall by advancing another step. So we stick to our self interest and create all kinds of problems: nuclear disaster, global warming, mass extinction, etc.

There is the awakened way to save energy and everyone. By stepping forward, throwing away self-sticking (sticking to the pole), we advance into the dharma world, the truth world, and enjoy beauty, truth, peace, goodness, and holiness. Anyone can realize it. Just sit, stop human karma, and settle in the dharma world.

4/13/11