Do not practice buddha-dharma with the thought that it is to benefit others. Dogen More Quotes by Dogen More Quotes From Dogen Since we are provided with both a body and a mind, we grasp onto the physical forms we see. Since we are provided with both a body and a mind, we cling to the sounds we hear. As a consequence, we make ourselves inseparable from all things, yet we are not like some shadowy figure 'lodging' in a mirror or like the moon in water. Whenever we witness what is on the one side, its opposite side will be in darkness. Dogen buddhistmirrorsmoon In the stream, Dogen rushingreflectionpast In a mind clear as still water, even the waves, breaking, are reflecting its light. Dogen waves-breakingbuddhistlight If you do not get it from yourself, where will you go for it? Dogen zen-proverbbuddhistifs When you paint Spring, do not paint willows, plums, peaches, or apricots - just paint Spring. Dogen peachesplumsspring The one and only thing required is to free oneself from the bondage of mind and body alike, putting the Buddha's own seal upon yourself. If you do this as you sit in ecstatic meditation, the whole universe itself scattered through the infinity of space turns into enlightenment. This is what I mean by the Buddha's seal. Dogen spacemeditationmean I asked, "What are words?" The tenzo said, "One, two, three, four, five." I asked again, "What is practice?" "Nothing in the entire universe is hidden." Dogen cookingpracticetwo 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. Dogen worldly-lifebuddhisteveryday A fish swims in the ocean, and no matter how far it swims there is no end to the water. A bird flies in the sky, and no matter how far it flies there is no end to the air. However the fish and the bird have never left their elements. Thus each of them totally covers its full range, and each of them totally experiences its realm... Know that water is life and air is life. The bird is life and the fish is life. Life must be the bird and life must be the fish... practice, enlightenment and people are like this. Dogen oceanpracticesky Do not miss the opportunity of offering even a single drop into the ocean of merit or a grain atop the mountain of the roots of beneficial activity. Dogen oceanrootsopportunity When mountains and waters are painted, blue, green, and red paints are used, strange rocks and wondrous stones are used, the four jewels and the seven treasures are used. Rice-cakes are painted in the same manner. When a person is painted, the four great elements and five skandhas are used. Dogen cakerocksjewels An ancient buddha said, “Mountains are mountains; waters are waters.” These words do not mean mountains are mountains; they mean mountains are mountains. Dogen mountainwatermean Time is three eyes and eight elbows. Dogen eightthreeeye There are mountains hidden in mountains. There are mountains hidden in hiddenness. This is complete understanding. Dogen mountainunderstanding Do not arouse disdainful mind when you prepare a broth of wild grasses; do not arouse joyful mind when you prepare a fine cream soup. Dogen joyfulsoupmind When you find your place where you are, practice occurs, actualizing the fundamental point. Dogen where-you-arepracticefundamentals There are thousands upon thousands of students who have practiced meditation and obtained its fruits. Do not doubt its possibilities because of the simplicity of the method. If you can not find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it? Dogen simplicitymeditationtruth Sitting is the gateway of truth to total liberation. Dogen gatewayssittingtruth If we look at the world with a deluded body and mind, we will think that our self is permanent. But if we practice correctly and return to our true self, we will realize that nothing is permanent Dogen practiceselfthinking The color of the mountains is Buddha's body; the sound of running water is his great speech. Dogen runninginspirationallife
