Dogen
Dogen
Dōgen Zenji, also known as Dōgen Kigen, Eihei Dōgen, Koso Joyo Daishi, or Bussho Dento Kokushi, was a Japanese Buddhist priest, writer, poet, philosopher, and founder of the Sōtō school of Zen in Japan. Originally ordained as a monk in the Tendai School in Kyoto, he was ultimately dissatisfied with its teaching and traveled to China to seek out what he believed to be a more authentic Buddhism. He remained there for five years, finally training under Tiantong Rujing, an...
two practice enlightenment
Practice and enlightenment are not two.
mind devil looks
Look for Buddha outside your own mind, and Buddha becomes the devil.
understanding mountain
There are mountains hidden in mountains. There are mountains hidden in hiddenness. This is complete understanding.
confused moving eye
When you ride in a boat and watch the shore, you might assume that the shore is moving. But when you keep your eyes closely on the boat, you can see that the boat moves. Similarly, if you examine many things with a confused mind, you might suppose that your mind and nature are permanent. But when you practice intimately and return to where you are, it will be clear that there is nothing that has unchanging self.
compassion worry evil
Refraining from all evil, not clinging to birth and death, working in deep compassion for all sentient beings, respecting those over you and pitying those below you, without any detesting or desiring, worrying or lamentation - this is what is called Buddha. Do not search beyond it.
anxiety imperfection harmony
To be in harmony with the wholeness of things is not to have anxiety over imperfections.
steps needs truth-is
Truth is not far away. It is nearer than near. There is no need to attain it, since not one of your steps leads away from it.
land sitting where-you-are
Do not travel to other dusty lands, forsaking your own sitting place; if you cannot find the truth where you are now, you will never find it.
buddhism live-by letting-things-happen
I haven't got any Buddhism. I live by letting things happen.
perfect mind body
When both body and mind are at peace, all things appear as they are: perfect, complete, lacking nothing.
buddhist everyday worldly-life
Those who see worldly life as an obstacle to Dharma see no Dharma in everyday actions. They have not yet discovered that there are no everyday actions outside of Dharma.
strong wind clouds
No matter how bad a state of mind you may get into, if you keep strong and hold out, eventually the floating clouds must vanish and the withering wind must cease.
lying drinking thinking
Set aside all involvements and let the myriad things rest. Zazen is not thinking of good, not thinking of bad. It is not conscious endeavour. It is not introspection. Do not desire to become a buddha; let sitting or lying down drop away. Be moderate in eating and drinking. Be mindful of the passing of time, and engage yourself in zazen as though you are saving your head from fire.
blossoming emptiness grass
Emptiness is bound to bloom, like hundreds of grasses blossoming.