Dogen, the Zen Master: A Search and a Fulfillment
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To study the way ... to forget the self ...
Dogen: 'To study the way is to study the self. To study the self is to forget the self.' Born aristocratic, read Chinese poetry at four, orphaned at seven—he called his parents' death an opportunity. Became a sannyasin immediately. The moon symbolizes transforming hot rays into cool peace. Full moons dedicated series. Borrowed light won't help in real crises.
Firewood and ash
Looking back from a boat, the shore seems to move—but it's the boat. Firewood becomes ash; ash never reverts to firewood. Life never becomes death; they are stages like winter and spring. Reincarnation: consciousness changes form. The great death is disidentifying with body-mind entirely—needs a great life, total intensity.
The mountainless ocean
The mountainless ocean appears circular but has innumerable shapes—to fish a palace, to celestial beings a necklace. Fish never leave water, birds never leave sky. Eastern mysticism accepts three layers: ultimate reality, relative appearance, and dreams. Art is for its own sake, like a cuckoo's call. The body has its own wisdom; you are not it.
Dive a little deep
How to recognize the master? The master is the Way—seeing a buddha provokes your potential. The authentic master isn't concerned with doctrines, only with provoking you inward. Avoid fake teachers who speak the same language. The seed's cover is protective; losing it means vulnerability. Bodhisattva means a buddha in essence—distance is seed to flower. Both men and women can realize the Way.
The moon never breaks the water
Enlightenment is like the moon reflecting on water—the moon doesn't get wet, the water isn't broken. Nobody obstructs your enlightenment; your personality is the shadow. Thoughts are ripples on the lake. In a silent consciousness, buddhahood reflects. Edison forgot his own name for fifty years—buddhahood is just your forgotten name.
The sky is not scratched by the cloud
'When the right time comes' means the right time has already come. Buddha-nature has already manifested—don't wait for the future. Man is born a buddha; only recognition is missing. Edison forgot his name because nobody called him by it for fifty years. Even doubt is buddha-nature manifesting. Every day is the right time.
Live one day as a buddha
Practice is identical with expression. Each day is precious—a single day lived as a buddha is worth more than countless idle lives. A lost jewel can be found again, but a lost day never returns. Don't look forward to tomorrow; think only of this day, this hour. Forget good and bad of your nature. Never be imitative—be yourself.
Secretly, a jewel in his robe
The whole universe is one brilliant jewel of the Buddha-mind. The jewel sewn secretly in a drunk friend's robe—we are never drunk without being given such a jewel. The master tries the impossible: expressing the inexpressible. No spectator can participate in the buddhafield—only participants. Enlightenment brings tremendous love for those in darkness.