Dogen (1200 – 1253)
Japanese Zen Buddhist teacher born in Ky?to, and the founder of the S?t? school of Zen in Japan.
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People who truly follow the Way would do well to conceal the fact that they are Buddhists.
Buddhas and Ancestors continuously maintain ocean mudra samadhi. While swimming in this samadhi, they expound, realize, practice.
In the great way of going beyond, no endeavor is complete without being one with myriad things. This is ocean mudra samadhi.
Zazen is the ultimate practice. This is indeed the True Self. The Buddhadharma is not to be sought outside of this.
Something you want badly enough can always be gained. No matter how fierce the enemy, how remote the beautiful lady, or how carefully guarded the treasure, there is always a means to the goal for the earnest seeker. The unseen help of the guardian gods of heaven and earth assure fulfillment.
Yet you must not cling to the words of the old sages either; they, too, may not be right. Even if you believe them, you should be alert so that , in the event that something superior comes along, you may follow that.
Students of the Way must not study Buddhism for the sake of themselves. They must study Buddhism only for the sake of Buddhism. The key to this is to renounce both body and mind without holding anything back and to offer them to the great sea of Buddhism.
When other sects speak well of Zen, the first thing that they praise is its poverty.
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.
The Buddha said, "Elements come together and form this body. At the time of appearing, elements appear. At the time of disappearing, elements disappear. When elements appear, I do not say "I" appear. When elements disappear, I do not say "I" disappear. Past moments and future moments do not arise in sequence. Past elements and future elements are not in alignment. This is the meaning of ocean mudra samadhi."
Closely investigate these words by the Buddha. Attaining the way and entering realization does not necessarily require extensive learning or realization. Anyone can attain the way through a simple verse of four lines. Even scholars of extensive learning can enter realization through a one line verse.
To study Buddhism is to study ourselves. To study ourselves is to forget ourselves.
Students today should begrudge every moment of time. This dewlike life fades away; time speeds swiftly. In this short life of ours, avoid involvement in superfluous things and just study the Way.
Students, when you want to say something, think about it three times before you say it. Speak only if your words will benefit yourselves and others. Do not speak if it brings no benefit.
But do not ask me where I am going,
As I travel in this limitless world,
Where every step I take is my home.
Coming, going, the waterbirds
don't leave a trace
don't follow a path.
As I study both the exoteric and the esoteric schools of Buddhism, they maintain that human beings are endowed with Dharma-nature by birth. If this is the case, why did the Buddhas of all ages — undoubtedly in possession of enlightenment — find it necessary to seek enlightenment and engage in spiritual practice?
Because monks come from the midst of purity, they consider as good and pure what does not arouse desire among other people.
Just study Buddhism. Don't follow the sentiments of the world.
If he cannot stop the mind that seeks after fame and profit, he will spend his life without finding peace.
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