David Given Schwarm

Married, Father, United

Tag: Prayer

  • CASE 3: The Indian King Invites the Patriarch

    A king of Eastern India invited the twenty-seventh patriarch, Prajna Tara, for a meal. The
    king asked, “Why don’t you recite sutras?” The patriarch said, “The poor way1 does not stay
    in the world of subject when breathing in, and has nothing to do with the world of objects
    when breathing out. I am always reciting the suchness-sutra in millions and millions of
    volumes.”

  • 32. Emptiness

    The gentlest thing in the world
    will override the strongest.
    Emptiness pervades everything
    though it has no substance.
    By this I understand the value of non-action.

    To teach without words and
    to be useful without action:
    Few among us are capable of this.

  • Greetings

    1. Greetings
    2. Salutation
    3. Smile
    4. Love
    5. Thing about others

  • CASE 2: Bodhidharma’s "Vast and _Void"

    Emperor Bu of Ryô asked Great Master Bodhidharma, “What is the highest meaning of the
    holy reality?” Bodhidharma replied, “Vast and void, no holiness.” The emperor said, “Who
    are you in front of me?” Bodhidharma said, “I don’t know.” The emperor did not match him.
    Finally, Bodhidharma crossed the Yangtze River and came to the Shôrin Temple. There he
    sat for nine years, facing the wall.

  • XVIII–The Moon


    The Moon affects our emotions because they come from the inner hidden part of us, where dreams also reside.

  • 30. Following the Tao

    When the wise hear of Tao, they follow it.
    When the foolish hear of Tao, they scorn it.
    If Tao were not held in derision by the foolish,
    it would not rightly be called Tao.

    Therefore it is said by those who follow Tao:
    The path of Tao goes nowhere.
    Who walks in Tao, walks in obscurity,
    without virtue, without recognition.
    Nothing is known, all is insecure.
    Inherent rightness is all that guides;
    and what endures is endless change.

    Tao cannot be seen; Tao cannot be heard;
    Tao cannot be known in any way.
    For Tao is hidden, and has no name.
    Everything moves in Tao.

  • Case 1: The World-Honored one Ascends the Rostrum

    One day, the World-Honored One ascended to the rostrum. Manjusri struck the table with the gavel and said, “Contemplate clearly the Dharma of the Dharma-King! the Dharma of the Dharma-King is like this.” Thereupon, the World-Honored one descended from the rostrum.

  • \Chil \ Seven Happiness is a natural state of existence

    You have an innate sensibility
    for being content, feeling joyful,
    and living in unconditional happiness.
    Happiness is a natural state of existence.

  • 43. Wonderful Harmony

    When you embrace the Tao
    you become like a little child.
    Neither are your young bones hard,
    nor are your sinews strong,
    yet your grasp is firm and sure.
    Fully sensuous, you are in harmony.

    Experiencing this harmony
    is to be at one with the eternal Tao.
    Experiencing the eternal Tao is illumination.

    Habits of excess grow on one
    who gives way to passion.
    Once the passions reach their climax,
    exhaustion follows.
    That which is contrary to the nature of Tao
    soon comes to an end.

  • Don’t follow drama

    1. Don’t follow drama
    2. Fog teaches
    3. Love learns
    4. Answer is within
    5. Freedom from fear