Simply put, the teaching states that we all have Buddha nature, which is the source of enlightenment. Thus, enlightenment is not the goal of spiritual practice. It’s the starting point. We don’t study sutras, sit on the cushion, and chant in front of our altars because we need to attain something. No, we do these things because they remind us of what we already have. They point our attention inwards—to the enlightenment we already possess, and they help us live that enlightenment in daily life.

 

By Sensei Alex Kakuyo

 

A student sat down in front of their teacher and asked, “How do caterpillars become butterflies?”

The teacher replied, “They don’t—only butterflies can become butterflies.”

This koan comes from my new book, A Year of Zen Mindfulness. I like it because it describes my approach to teaching the Dharma along with the primary focus of my book, which is to help people transform their daily life experiences into spiritual practice.

The koan is based on Hongaku or original enlightenment, which is at the heart of Mahayana Buddhism. Simply put, the teaching states that we all have Buddha nature, which is the source of enlightenment.

Thus, enlightenment is not the goal of spiritual practice.

It’s the starting point. We don’t study sutras, sit on the cushion, and chant in front of our altars because we need to attain something. No, we do these things because they remind us of what we already have. They point our attention inwards—to the enlightenment we already possess, and they help us live that enlightenment in daily life.

This is a subtle point, but it’s an important one. Without Hongaku, without an understanding of original enlightenment, Buddhism becomes one in a long list of self-improvement items. It becomes no different than buying a new car or doing a juice cleanse in the hopes that our dirty, misbegotten selves will become worthy.

In the koan, the teacher is reminding the student that there is no real difference between a caterpillar and a butterfly.  Sure, the wings and pretty colors of the butterfly may not be apparent until after the caterpillar emerges from its cocoon.

But the transformation is only possible because that butterfly nature was already there.  This is evidenced by the fact that dogs can’t “become” butterflies. Dogs are dogs. Cats are cats. And caterpillars…are butterflies.

Similarly, the fact that humans can realize enlightenment is proof that we are already enlightened. We are Buddhas.  And spiritual practice is the cocoon, which brings our Buddha nature into the world.

 

Namu Amida Butsu

 

Photo: Pixabay

 

Did you like this post? You may also like:

 

Writings from Prison: The Potential to Be President.

  By Lon Whittaker Recently I have made the conscious decision to apply myself to find the measure of my true potential. How do I not sell myself short but still set my goals to be reasonably attainable? What I found was extremely frustrating. Potential resides...

Single White Monk: Tales of Death, Failure, and Bad Sex (Although Not Necessarily in That Order) {Book Review}

  By Brent R. Oliver If you’ve read Shozan Jack Haubner’s first book, Zen Confidential, you know he’s an unorthodox figure in modern Buddhism, especially considering he’s a monastic. If you haven’t read it, you’ll just have to trust me on that. And also, you...

The Highly Sensitive Person: Finding the Middle Way

  By David Jones Hi. I'm David, and I'm an HSP: a Highly-Sensitive Person. Hey, don't look at me with that tone of voice. HSP is the tag being used for those who are overly in-tune with their environment and the people who inhabit it. It's also been called...

The Mystical Branch of Buddhism.

  By Daniel Scharpenburg There are numerous branches of Buddhism and sometimes people ask me what is different about the Ch'an tradition. What sets it apart from other traditions? In Ch'an Buddhism the wisdom that leads to Enlightenment is transmitted. Since the...

Comments

comments

Latest posts by Sensei Alex Kakuyo (see all)