The Middle Way - Living the moment to the fullest as it is
現実に溺れることもなく、空に陥ることもない。この現実の世の中にありながら、しかも執着しない。かたよらずこだわらずに一つ一つのものごとに精一杯向き合う。それらすべて中道なのだという教えなのです。ただ禅では、あまりその途中の細かな理論を省きます。そのときその場を精いっぱい生きるという結論を、そのまま教えるのであります。(English) Do not drown in reality, do not fall into emptiness. In this world of reality, yet without attachment. We face each thing to the best of our ability without being attached to or obsessed with it. All of this is the Middle Way. In Zen, however, detailed theories along the way are omitted. Instead, it teaches the conclusion of living the moment to the fullest as it is.
The Middle Way.
A)
Now, this 'middle' is also essential teaching of Buddhism.
In the Japanese Iwanami book store's Buddhist Dictionary, let's look it up further.
It describes 'Middle' as follows.
First, "It is a way of being that does not belong to either of those divided by the dichotomy, but transcends it."
B)
The dichotomy is an unfamiliar term.
What it means is written as follows.
"Dichotomies include, for example, existence and nothingness, normality and renunciation, suffering and ease, and so on.
Usually, one of them goes to one extreme, yet they stick to it."
C)
'Exist' or 'nothing'?
Either bias is usual.
'Stop' is also called 'stop to watching.'
It is the idea that when a person dies, nothing is left.
D)
The opposite is 'always,' also called 'always watching.'
It is the idea that after a person dies, the ego remains forever.
E)
'Suffering' is a bias towards suffering.
'Easy' is the opposite, being biased towards pleasure.
Usually, there is a bias towards one or the other.
F)
However, "Buddhism criticizes this and repeatedly teaches this 'middle.'
The 'middle' is consistent throughout Buddhism.
G)
Similarly, the <middle> was respected and transmitted by Confucius, Aristotle, and many other philosophers and sages.
H)
Furthermore, the Dictionary of Buddhism states the following as teaching of 'early Buddhism.'
"The Buddha was born into a wealthy royal family and lived a youth filled with ease.
Eventually, he then became an ordained monk.
He spent six years in severe asceticism.
But he abandoned that too.
After that, he attained enlightenment in meditation."
I)
Based on this experience, there are many instances where the first sermon is the 'Middle Way.'
It is usually referred to as the 'Middle Way of Non-Pain and Non-Effort.'
Also, since the <Way, Road> is towards, it has a solid practical image.
J)
At the time of the Buddha, there were also new freethinkers.
On the one hand, there was hedonism and materialism.
On the other, there were "Giving importance to painful behavior" and "asceticism(doctrine against luxury)."
Criticism of these extremes was also contained in the Middle Way theory.
K)
Both asceticisms are wrong.
Nor is it reasonable to fall into hedonism.
1)
It treats 'auspicious,' 'emptiness,' and 'the Middle Way' almost synonymous.
The meaning includes the Buddha's return to the Middle Way.
2)
'auspicious' is founded on a variety of causes and conditions.
Therefore, it is 'no-self' and has no inherent substance.
This lack of inherent substance is called 'emptiness.'
It is the same meaning as 'middle.'
3)
In particular, the Tiantai doctrine teaches the three truths of empty, temporary, and middle.
'The meaning of the negative aspect 'empty' is that all existence is void of substance.'
'The meaning of the positive aspect, 'temporal,' is that there is no substance, but existence is hypothetical due to auspiciousness.'
'The meaning of 'middle' is the higher integrated truth, which is neither empty nor temporal.'
4)
First, everything is seen as <empty.>
Secondly, by recognizing that it is only a <temporary> phenomenon, one leaves all captivity.
Then, the <middle> is to see that everything is in the figure of truth.
5)
In the Endon Chapter(円頓章), the teaching states.
'All things and events we encounter are manifestations of the truth as they are.'
'At all times and in all circumstances, the truth shines around us.'
Through these words, Zhiyi(智顗) is speaking to us.
6)
Do not drown in reality, do not fall into emptiness.
In this world of reality, yet without attachment.
We face each thing to the best of our ability without being attached to or obsessed with it.
All of this is the Middle Way.
7)
In Zen, however, detailed theories along the way are omitted.
It teaches the conclusion of living the moment to the fullest as it is.
Ref)
Meditation Part
Now let's adjust your body posture and breathing.
First, with both feet, step firmly on the floor.
Feel that you are supported by this earth and put strength into your feet.
Now, with the feeling that you will stand up, lift your hips 5 cm or 10 cm, and then drop them down.
Inhale, squeeze your shoulders, lift them, lift them, lift them, and drop them down at the same time as you exhale.
Again, inhale, squeeze shoulders, lift, lift, exhale, and drop.
First, exhale powerfully for one breath.
At this point, exhale to expel all the air from the bottom of your stomach.
Open your mouth and breathe to let out all the worries and anxieties you hold in your chest.
Then, close your mouth, and fresh air will naturally flow through your nose.
You will feel fresh air filling up your belly below the navel.
And as you feel the fresh air spreading to every corner of your body, you will feel.
You will naturally smile and feel grateful and happy.
After that, close your mouth and sit quietly, watching the breath come in and out through your nose.
(bell sounds)
Silence for three minutes.
(bell sounds)
Thank you very much.
Please accept my best wishes for a good day.
The Middle Way
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTdz0FpMLLg&t=690s