Sunday, October 14, 2012

Kannon, not Cannon Ball

The great Kannon of compassion. Sees the way it is, and gently serves it out. In a thousand different ways. Lending the correct hand in the correct situation. Not a cannon ball of fact in the pool of a person's understanding, but with gentleness, according to the situation at hand. Each time different. Each time tailored to the case.

This seems the meaning of Dogen's hand reaching back in the night for the pillow. Not for his own comfort, but to gently give rest to another person's head as they sleep in their darkness...their ignorance. A little comfort so subtle they do not even notice it.

Or is this my own clever ignorance?

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