Quote Archives: Dogen Zenji

Just practice good ~ Dogen Zenji

Just practice good, do good for others, without thinking of making yourself known so that you may gain reward. Really bring benefit to others, gaining nothing for yourself. This is the primary requisite for breaking free of attachments to the Self. Dogen Zenji

Just avoid clinging to thought ~ Dogen Zenji

Above all, don’t wish to become a future Buddha; Your only concern should be, As thought follows thought, To avoid clinging to any of them. Dogen Zenji

Because it is impermanent ~ Dogen Zenji

Therefore, the very impermanency of grass and tree, thicket and forest is the Buddha nature. The very impermanency of men and things, body and mind, is the Buddha nature. Nature and lands, mountains and rivers, are impermanent because they are the Buddha nature. Supreme and complete enlightenment, because it is impermanent, is the Buddha nature. […]

Primordial awareness ~ Dogen Zenji

Primordial awareness is in essence perfect and pervades everywhere. How could it be dependent upon what anyone does to practice or realize it? The movement of reality does not need us to give it a push. Do I need to say that it is free from delusion? The vast expanse of reality can never be […]

Not Before and After ~ Dogen Zenji

Cause is not before and effect is not after. Dogen Zenji

Practice and Enlightenment ~ Dogen Zenji

Thinking that practice and enlightenment are not one is no more than a view that is outside the Way [that is, deluded]. In the buddha-dharma, practice and enlightenment are one and the same. Because it is the practice of enlightenment, a beginner’s wholehearted practice of the Way is exactly the totality of original enlightenment. For […]

Where else ~ Dogen Zenji

If you are unable to find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it? Dogen Zenji

Every step I take is my home ~ Dogen Zenji

But do not ask me where I am going, As I travel in this limitless world, Where every step I take is my home. Dogen Zenji

Like reflections of the moon ~ Dogen Zenji

Enlightenment is like the moon reflected on the water. The moon does not get wet, nor is the water broken. Although its light is wide and great, the moon is reflected even in a puddle an inch wide. The whole moon and the entire sky are reflected in one dewdrop on the grass. Dogen Zenji

Your own enlightenment ~ Dogen Zenji

Do not think you will necessarily be aware of your own enlightenment. Dogen Zenji

One continuous mistake ~ Dogen Zenji

A zen master’s life is one continuous mistake. Dogen Zenji

Returning to where you are ~ Dogen Zenji

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. […]

Letting go ~ Dogen Zenji

Autumn is spirited and refreshing as this mountain ages. A donkey observes the sky in the well, white moon floating. One is not dependent; One does not contain. Letting go, vigorous with plenty of gruel and rice, Flapping with vitality, right from head to tail, Above and below the heavens, clouds and water are free. […]

Studying ourselves ~ Dogen Zenji

To study Buddhism is to study ourselves. To study ourselves is to forget ourselves. Dogen Zenji

A mind clear as still water ~ Dogen Zenji

In a mind clear as still water, even the waves, breaking, are reflecting its light. Dogen Zenji

Stop discriminating between good and evil ~ Dogen Zenji

To enter the Buddha Way is to stop discriminating between good and evil and to cast aside the mind that says this is good and that is bad. Dogen Zenji

Manifestations of the body of the Buddha ~ Dogen Zenji

Handle even a single leaf of green in such a way that it manifests the body of the Buddha. This in turn allows the Buddha to manifest through the leaf. Dogen Zenji