Wednesday, July 2, 2025, 7:00 PM
First UU Church of West Volusia, 116 S. Clara Ave. DeLand

Please join us for member-led prayer, chanting, meditation and dharma talk by Sensei Morris via Zoom.

7/9//25 The Platform Sutra, Translation and commentary by Red Pine “Song of Formlessness”

‘Versed in words and versed in thoughts
like the sun in the sky
transmitting their teaching directly
appearing in the world to vanquish false doctrines
it isn’t their teaching that’s direct or not
but awareness that’s quick or slow
foolish people who sturdy this teaching
can’t understand the Dharma directly.

There must be ten thousand ways to explain it
but all are based on one rule
in your dark house of afflictions
keep the sun of wisdom shining
falsehood arrives because of afflictions
when truth appears afflictions depart
letting truth and falsehood be
nothing is left to purify.

Enlightenment is already pure
the thought of it is a delusion
but inside delusion is purity
once truth removes the Three Obstructions
if you follow the Way in this world
let nothing block your path
paying attention to your own mistakes
will keep you in step with the Way.

The Way dwells in this bodily likeness
don’t leave the Way to look for the Way
you won’t find the Way that way
all you will find is trouble
if you want to find the true Way
to cultivate truth is the Way
unless your mind is set on the truth
you’ll pass it by in the dark.

People who truly follow the Way
don’t consider the faults of the world
those who consider the wrongs of the world
only add to their own
I don’t condemn the faults of others
my own wrongs are what I’m after
just get rid of thoughts about wrongs
and your afflictions will shatter.

If you would then teach foolish people
you’ll need to use skillful means
if you can rid them of doubts
their enlightenment is certain
the Dharma is in the world
in the world beyond the world
don’t run away from the world
to find a place beyond the world.

False views make up the world
true views are the world beyond
when true and false are both dismissed
your buddha nature will be manifest
this is simply the straightforward teaching
also known as the Mahayana
delusion lasts countless kalpas
awareness takes but an instant.’