Personal Reflections on the Kakisage
The Kakisage is often spoken of as being the tenth Besseki Lecture. After a period of preparation, recipients of the Kakisage, having just been granted the truth of the Sazuke, are advised to read daily and ponder its intended meaning. My own ponderings change day by day, according to the state and truth of my mind at any given time. Upon reflection I find that my thoughts and ponderings change, not only day to day but moment to moment. In that regard I will attempt to be guided in my ponderings by the two poems from the Ofudesaki appearing below.
From now on I shall speak in the metaphor of water.
Be enlightened by the word clear and muddy.
Ponder this: no matter how clear the water may be,
if you put mud into it, it will become muddy.
"One thing more, filial piety of each member of the family. This is important. I teach that these two are one in truth of heaven. Sah, carry on without change far into the future."
Filial piety is a very important and worldly common teaching; however, recognizing, that all human beings are equally beloved children of the same original parent mind; that we are all members of the same family and as we strive to act in that exemplary way, that filial piety is indeed one in the truth of heaven.
Recall that it is the mind of true sincerity, the mind that knows and understands it true origin, the mind that can distinguish the original from the imaginary, that is the mind that we are asked to carry on without change far into the future.