Zen in Ten: Dogen Says

Wisdom from Shōbōgenzō-zuikmonki

Dōgen Zenji (1200-1253)

1. “Once you have entered the Buddha-Way, you should practice the various activities just for the sake of the buddha-dharma. Do not think of gaining something in return. All teachings, Buddhist or non-Buddhist, exhort us to be free from the expectation of gaining a reward.” (p. 39)

2. “Impermanence is swift; life-and-death is a vital matter. For the short while you are alive, if you wish to study or practice some activity, just practice the Buddha-Way and study the buddha-dharma.” (p. 41)

3. “A student of the Way must cool [her] mind as if [she] were giving up [her] life, and consider if what [she] is about to say or do is in accordance with reality or not. If it is, [she] should say or do it.” (p. 49)

4. “If the aspiration to seek the Way is earnest enough when you practice shikantaza (just sitting), study the koans or meet your teacher, though the aim is high you will hit the mark, and though it is deep you will fish it out.” (p. 91)

5. “In Zen the Way is attained through both body and mind. As long as we only think about the buddha-dharma with our minds, we will never grasp the Way, even in a thousand lifetimes or a myriad of eons. When we let go of our minds and cast aside our views and understandings the Way will be actualized.” (p. 107)

6. “We should give up worrying about everything from the art of living to our livelihood. Unless we give up worrying about such things it will be impossible to attain the Way even if it seems we are practicing earnestly as though trying to extinguish a fire from enveloping our heads. Just let go of body and mind in a decisive way.” (p. 110)

7. “Students of the Way the reason you do not attain enlightenment is because you hold onto your old views. Without know who taught you, you think that ‘mind’ is the function of the brain—thought and discrimination. When I tell you that mind is grass and trees, you do not believe it.” (p. 144)

8. “Without exception, everyone is a vessel of the buddha-dharma. Never think that you are not a vessel.” (p. 155)

9. “Students of the Way, never expect to practice tomorrow. You should practice following the Buddha only today and this moment.” (p. 155)

10. “To depart from your ego means throwing your body and mind into the great ocean of the buddha-dharma no matter how much pain and anxiety you may have.” (p. 175)

    ---

Dogen, Eihei. Shōbōgenzō-zuimonki. Tokyo, Soto-Shu Shumucho, 2012.