from "Eihei Koroku (Universal Book of Eternal Peace) by Zen Master Eihei Dogen (1200-1253), trans. Thomas Cleary The Buddhas of all times and the Zen masters throughout history carry forth the whole earth and hide it in the earth; they smash open the world and take out the world. When you grasp this essential key,… Continue reading Dogen -Buddhas carry forth the whole earth, and hide it in the earth
Category: Teachings of Dogen
Dogen – Life has no whence, Death has no whither
from "Eihei Koroku (Universal Book of Eternal Peace) by Zen Master Eihei Dogen (1200-1253), trans. Thomas Cleary Life has no whence; it is carrying forth, and carrying forth again. Death has no whither; it is carrying away, and carrying away again. Ultimately how is it? If the mind does not differ, myriad things are one… Continue reading Dogen – Life has no whence, Death has no whither
Dogen Zenji – the vanity of trying to be “here now” – it already is!
Going into the ocean to count the grains of sand is a vain waste of energy; polishing a tile to make a mirror is useless effort. Do you not see--the clouds on the highest mountain gather and disperse of themselves; what "far" or "near" is there? The flowing water at the bottom of the canyon… Continue reading Dogen Zenji – the vanity of trying to be “here now” – it already is!
Life is like getting on a boat – Dogen Zenji
"Not a single moment or thing stands apart from life. Nor is there a single event or mind that does not accompany life. Life is like getting on a boat. On this boat, we ourselves use the sail and control the rudder. Although we push with the pole, it is the boat that carries us.… Continue reading Life is like getting on a boat – Dogen Zenji
Dogen – On Arguing and Correcting
Step Back and Let Go Even when you are clearly correct and others are mistaken, it is harmful to argue and defeat them. It is best to step back, neither trying to correct others nor conceding mistaken views. If you don't react competitively, and let go of the conflict, others will also let go of… Continue reading Dogen – On Arguing and Correcting
Zen – The Story of Dogen Zenji
This movie depicts the teachings of Soto Zen. In many ways, it "cuts directly to the chase". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s5Uz8XSc-Y
Dogen and Shogun’s moon
A Japanese shogun was going crazy, at night screaming and swinging his sword trying to chop the ghosts of people he had killed in battle.... He finally went to Dogen, a Japanese Zen priest, and asked him to make it stop..... Dogen pointed him to the moon's reflection in the lake, and told him to… Continue reading Dogen and Shogun’s moon
Dogen’s Shikantaza – Jundo Cohen Roshi
Why Shikantaza is Complete, Boundless and Unlike Any Other Way of Zazen, Period, End of Story -- by Jundo I can sometimes come across as a 'Shikantaza-fanatic,' insisting that Master Dogen's way of 'Just Sitting' is totally unlike any other flavor of Zazen or meditation, even those (such as "Silent Illumination" or "Dzogchen") it very… Continue reading Dogen’s Shikantaza – Jundo Cohen Roshi
Shikantaza – Jundo Cohen
Zazen as Enactment Ritual http://www.ancientdragon.org/dharma/articles/zazen_as_enactment_ritual Shikantaza Zazen is -not- awareness and concentration, mindfulness, focusing on or following the breath, a matter of sitting standing or lying down, relaxing, feeling peace or equanimity, being "in the Zone" or "in the moment," nor a meditation where one "begins to feel the effects after 30 minutes" or any… Continue reading Shikantaza – Jundo Cohen
Life is Sailing – The Moment of the Boat
Life can be likened to a time when a person is sailing in a boat. On this boat, I am operating the sail, I have taken the rudder, I am pushing the pole; at the same time, the boat is carrying me, and there is no “I” beyond the boat. Through my sailing of the… Continue reading Life is Sailing – The Moment of the Boat
Reality is Dharma 