Don’t Know Mind

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clyde
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Don’t Know Mind

Post by clyde »

“Don’t Know Mind” is the mind that understands that nothing is explainable, nothing; and any explanation is an explanation of the unexplainable; it’s our best guess, even this.

“Enlightenment means to see what harm you are involved in and to renounce it.” David Brazier, The New Buddhism

“The most straightforward advice on awakening enlightened mind is this: practice not causing harm to anyone—yourself or others—and every day, do what you can to be helpful.” Pema Chodron, “What to Do When the Going Gets Rough”
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KeithA
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Re: Don’t Know Mind

Post by KeithA »

clyde wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 7:39 pm “Don’t Know Mind” is the mind that understands that nothing is explainable, nothing; and any explanation is an explanation of the unexplainable; it’s our best guess, even this.

Thanks for sharing, Clyde. If one wants to know what Kwan Um style teaching style is like, this it. 🙏🙏🙏
When walking, standing, sitting, lying down, speaking,
being silent, moving, being still.
At all times, in all places, without interruption - what is this?
One mind is infinite kalpas.

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Astus
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Re: Don’t Know Mind

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KeithA wrote: Sat Jan 21, 2023 5:27 pmIf one wants to know what Kwan Um style teaching style is like, this it.
The "don't know mind" is something to learn and master in order to know the truth. Thus one is required/invited to know instead of not knowing. Very tricky.
1 Myriad dharmas are only mind.
Mind is unobtainable.
What is there to seek?

2 If the Buddha-Nature is seen,
there will be no seeing of a nature in any thing.

3 Neither cultivation nor seated meditation —
this is the pure Chan of Tathagata.

4 With sudden enlightenment to Tathagata Chan,
the six paramitas and myriad means
are complete within that essence.


1 Huangbo, T2012Ap381c1 2 Nirvana Sutra, T374p521b3; tr. Yamamoto 3 Mazu, X1321p3b23; tr. J. Jia 4 Yongjia, T2014p395c14; tr. from "The Sword of Wisdom"
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clyde
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Re: Don’t Know Mind

Post by clyde »

Very tricky indeed!

One doesn’t learn “Don’t Know Mind”, one unlearns so that DKM may appear.
And one certainly doesn’t master DKM, DKM has no master.
“Enlightenment means to see what harm you are involved in and to renounce it.” David Brazier, The New Buddhism

“The most straightforward advice on awakening enlightened mind is this: practice not causing harm to anyone—yourself or others—and every day, do what you can to be helpful.” Pema Chodron, “What to Do When the Going Gets Rough”
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KeithA
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Re: Don’t Know Mind

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Astus wrote: Sun Jan 22, 2023 10:16 pm
KeithA wrote: Sat Jan 21, 2023 5:27 pmIf one wants to know what Kwan Um style teaching style is like, this it.
The "don't know mind" is something to learn and master in order to know the truth. Thus one is required/invited to know instead of not knowing. Very tricky.
Learn and master what, exactly?
When walking, standing, sitting, lying down, speaking,
being silent, moving, being still.
At all times, in all places, without interruption - what is this?
One mind is infinite kalpas.

New Haven Zen Center
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Astus
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Re: Don’t Know Mind

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clyde wrote: Mon Jan 23, 2023 12:28 amOne doesn’t learn “Don’t Know Mind”, one unlearns so that DKM may appear.
One first has to learn the term DKM, hear it in the proper context and from a source one trusts, otherwise it's quickly forgotten. Then one has to invest more time and effort to comprehend the meaning of the term, plus gain further knowledge about what to do in order to apply it.
And one certainly doesn’t master DKM, DKM has no master.
Is simply hearing about DKM, knowing the expression, and perhaps understanding it in the right way enough, or should one make use of it in one's life? If one should, then there is practice and there is proficiency, i.e. mastering it.
1 Myriad dharmas are only mind.
Mind is unobtainable.
What is there to seek?

2 If the Buddha-Nature is seen,
there will be no seeing of a nature in any thing.

3 Neither cultivation nor seated meditation —
this is the pure Chan of Tathagata.

4 With sudden enlightenment to Tathagata Chan,
the six paramitas and myriad means
are complete within that essence.


1 Huangbo, T2012Ap381c1 2 Nirvana Sutra, T374p521b3; tr. Yamamoto 3 Mazu, X1321p3b23; tr. J. Jia 4 Yongjia, T2014p395c14; tr. from "The Sword of Wisdom"
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Re: Don’t Know Mind

Post by Astus »

KeithA wrote: Mon Jan 23, 2023 1:38 amLearn and master what, exactly?
First the words, then the meaning, and then its application/usage.
1 Myriad dharmas are only mind.
Mind is unobtainable.
What is there to seek?

2 If the Buddha-Nature is seen,
there will be no seeing of a nature in any thing.

3 Neither cultivation nor seated meditation —
this is the pure Chan of Tathagata.

4 With sudden enlightenment to Tathagata Chan,
the six paramitas and myriad means
are complete within that essence.


1 Huangbo, T2012Ap381c1 2 Nirvana Sutra, T374p521b3; tr. Yamamoto 3 Mazu, X1321p3b23; tr. J. Jia 4 Yongjia, T2014p395c14; tr. from "The Sword of Wisdom"
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KeithA
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Re: Don’t Know Mind

Post by KeithA »

Astus wrote: Mon Jan 23, 2023 8:13 am
KeithA wrote: Mon Jan 23, 2023 1:38 amLearn and master what, exactly?
First the words, then the meaning, and then its application/usage.
ZM Kitzes covers the first two in the clip, the second is covered by the signature verse below.

I get it. It's a discussion forum, so we have to debate stuff. I cringed when I saw the OP, because I knew this was coming. I'll be bowing out here.

_/|\_
When walking, standing, sitting, lying down, speaking,
being silent, moving, being still.
At all times, in all places, without interruption - what is this?
One mind is infinite kalpas.

New Haven Zen Center
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Johnny Dangerous
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Re: Don’t Know Mind

Post by Johnny Dangerous »

The conceptual mind can’t see past itself.
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when afflicted by disease

Meditate upon Bodhicitta when sad

Meditate upon Bodhicitta when suffering occurs

Meditate upon Bodhicitta when you are scared

-Khunu Lama
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clyde
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Re: Don’t Know Mind

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Learning the term and comprehending the meaning of the term are not necessary and are not DKM. And one doesn’t apply DKM; it’s not a technique or tool to be applied, nor a skill to be mastered.
“Enlightenment means to see what harm you are involved in and to renounce it.” David Brazier, The New Buddhism

“The most straightforward advice on awakening enlightened mind is this: practice not causing harm to anyone—yourself or others—and every day, do what you can to be helpful.” Pema Chodron, “What to Do When the Going Gets Rough”
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Re: Don’t Know Mind

Post by narhwal90 »

Our sangha's study of it is generally aligned with Astus's method.
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Astus
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Re: Don’t Know Mind

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clyde wrote: Tue Jan 24, 2023 12:12 amLearning the term and comprehending the meaning of the term are not necessary and are not DKM. And one doesn’t apply DKM; it’s not a technique or tool to be applied, nor a skill to be mastered.
So the teachings on DKM are pointless, and there is no way to attain it either. Why then even mention it?
1 Myriad dharmas are only mind.
Mind is unobtainable.
What is there to seek?

2 If the Buddha-Nature is seen,
there will be no seeing of a nature in any thing.

3 Neither cultivation nor seated meditation —
this is the pure Chan of Tathagata.

4 With sudden enlightenment to Tathagata Chan,
the six paramitas and myriad means
are complete within that essence.


1 Huangbo, T2012Ap381c1 2 Nirvana Sutra, T374p521b3; tr. Yamamoto 3 Mazu, X1321p3b23; tr. J. Jia 4 Yongjia, T2014p395c14; tr. from "The Sword of Wisdom"
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clyde
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Re: Don’t Know Mind

Post by clyde »

No, I didn’t say that the teachings are pointless; in fact, the teaching of DKM (or Buddha-nature, and Zen teachings in general) are well regarded as pointers.

Yes, DKM (or Buddha-nature) is unattainable - because we already are it.
“Enlightenment means to see what harm you are involved in and to renounce it.” David Brazier, The New Buddhism

“The most straightforward advice on awakening enlightened mind is this: practice not causing harm to anyone—yourself or others—and every day, do what you can to be helpful.” Pema Chodron, “What to Do When the Going Gets Rough”
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Re: Don’t Know Mind

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Johnny Dangerous wrote: Mon Jan 23, 2023 10:49 pmThe conceptual mind can’t see past itself.
That there is anything past it, sounds like a concept.
1 Myriad dharmas are only mind.
Mind is unobtainable.
What is there to seek?

2 If the Buddha-Nature is seen,
there will be no seeing of a nature in any thing.

3 Neither cultivation nor seated meditation —
this is the pure Chan of Tathagata.

4 With sudden enlightenment to Tathagata Chan,
the six paramitas and myriad means
are complete within that essence.


1 Huangbo, T2012Ap381c1 2 Nirvana Sutra, T374p521b3; tr. Yamamoto 3 Mazu, X1321p3b23; tr. J. Jia 4 Yongjia, T2014p395c14; tr. from "The Sword of Wisdom"
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Re: Don’t Know Mind

Post by Astus »

clyde wrote: Tue Jan 24, 2023 8:11 amNo, I didn’t say that the teachings are pointless; in fact, the teaching of DKM (or Buddha-nature, and Zen teachings in general) are well regarded as pointers.
If so, then learning and comprehending are necessary, so is the application of the teachings.
Yes, DKM (or Buddha-nature) is unattainable - because we already are it.
There is a distinction between the hidden and the revealed buddha-nature, so there is a path to purify the mind and attain awakening.
1 Myriad dharmas are only mind.
Mind is unobtainable.
What is there to seek?

2 If the Buddha-Nature is seen,
there will be no seeing of a nature in any thing.

3 Neither cultivation nor seated meditation —
this is the pure Chan of Tathagata.

4 With sudden enlightenment to Tathagata Chan,
the six paramitas and myriad means
are complete within that essence.


1 Huangbo, T2012Ap381c1 2 Nirvana Sutra, T374p521b3; tr. Yamamoto 3 Mazu, X1321p3b23; tr. J. Jia 4 Yongjia, T2014p395c14; tr. from "The Sword of Wisdom"
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clyde
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Re: Don’t Know Mind

Post by clyde »

Dear Astus, My response is found in your signature.
“Enlightenment means to see what harm you are involved in and to renounce it.” David Brazier, The New Buddhism

“The most straightforward advice on awakening enlightened mind is this: practice not causing harm to anyone—yourself or others—and every day, do what you can to be helpful.” Pema Chodron, “What to Do When the Going Gets Rough”
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Re: Don’t Know Mind

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clyde wrote: Tue Jan 24, 2023 6:03 pm Dear Astus, My response is found in your signature.
That begins with investigating the nature of mind, and then gaining genuine insight. How do you connect it to the DKM?
1 Myriad dharmas are only mind.
Mind is unobtainable.
What is there to seek?

2 If the Buddha-Nature is seen,
there will be no seeing of a nature in any thing.

3 Neither cultivation nor seated meditation —
this is the pure Chan of Tathagata.

4 With sudden enlightenment to Tathagata Chan,
the six paramitas and myriad means
are complete within that essence.


1 Huangbo, T2012Ap381c1 2 Nirvana Sutra, T374p521b3; tr. Yamamoto 3 Mazu, X1321p3b23; tr. J. Jia 4 Yongjia, T2014p395c14; tr. from "The Sword of Wisdom"
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Re: Don’t Know Mind

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Astus wrote: Tue Jan 24, 2023 8:12 am
Johnny Dangerous wrote: Mon Jan 23, 2023 10:49 pmThe conceptual mind can’t see past itself.
That there is anything past it, sounds like a concept.
I didn’t say anything about what is past it.
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when afflicted by disease

Meditate upon Bodhicitta when sad

Meditate upon Bodhicitta when suffering occurs

Meditate upon Bodhicitta when you are scared

-Khunu Lama
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clyde
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Re: Don’t Know Mind

Post by clyde »

Yes, purify and attain, investigate and gain, but . . .
“Neither cultivation nor seated meditation —
this is the pure Chan of Tathagata (DKM).”
“Mind (DKM) is unobtainable.”
“Enlightenment means to see what harm you are involved in and to renounce it.” David Brazier, The New Buddhism

“The most straightforward advice on awakening enlightened mind is this: practice not causing harm to anyone—yourself or others—and every day, do what you can to be helpful.” Pema Chodron, “What to Do When the Going Gets Rough”
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Astus
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Re: Don’t Know Mind

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Johnny Dangerous wrote: Tue Jan 24, 2023 9:54 pmI didn’t say anything about what is past it.
If there is nothing beyond the conceptual mind, why should it see past itself?
1 Myriad dharmas are only mind.
Mind is unobtainable.
What is there to seek?

2 If the Buddha-Nature is seen,
there will be no seeing of a nature in any thing.

3 Neither cultivation nor seated meditation —
this is the pure Chan of Tathagata.

4 With sudden enlightenment to Tathagata Chan,
the six paramitas and myriad means
are complete within that essence.


1 Huangbo, T2012Ap381c1 2 Nirvana Sutra, T374p521b3; tr. Yamamoto 3 Mazu, X1321p3b23; tr. J. Jia 4 Yongjia, T2014p395c14; tr. from "The Sword of Wisdom"
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