The Gateless Gate Sutra

In Zen we speak of the Gateless Gate

It’s a wonderful phrase for something not there

If there is no gate what makes it a gate?

The answer is simple - we do.

Our minds have put a gate around the world, around the self,

around our abilities and possibilities

around and around and around

Our practice is to open the gate.

How do you open a gateless gate?

You walk on thru

You keep on walking

You walk on thru

You keep on walking

You walk on thru

Liz McCoy May 9, 2011 at 5:28 pm #

sometimes the gate feels so high and so strong. other days the gate is wide open. someday i hope the gate will open with consistent ease. I know it will.

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- Daniel Doen Silberberg May 11, 2011 at 2:14 pm #
  
  @Liz
  Thanks LIz for a very sincere and inspiring comment.
  
  Reply
Joan Degiorgio June 5, 2011 at 1:55 pm #

I have so often heard this phrase and repeatedly forget the “answer” – thanks for this beautifully clear explanation.

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