Episode 41 – Three Bowls

In Buddhism there is a lot of discussion about fixed views, which are traditionally described as a pairing of fixation (being stuck in our own particular approach) and grasping (trying to build up our territory) • there is a simple analogy about fixed views known as the three pots, or three bowls • the first image is that of an upside down bowl; whatever is poured onto it just drizzles down the sides • this is the description of a totally closed mind, an iron-clad mind that nothing can penetrate • Suzuki Roshi called this “expert’s mind,” a mind that is closed off to any possibilities of a fresh outlook • the second image is that of a bowl that’s right side up, but is cracked; the teachings come in, but they leak out • we may have an insight, but it doesn’t last; things can’t really rest within our minds, they fade away or drizzle out • the third image is probably the worst: it is the bowl that is upright, but is laced with poison • you hear the teachings, but you distort them; you cherry-pick the teachings that might further your agenda, and ignore the teachings that challenge your agenda • the ideal bowl, on the other hand, is upright, doesn’t leak, and doesn’t distort; it just holds the teachings very simply and truly as they are, without any kind of bias.