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Forgetting oneself is opening oneself
Dogen
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Dogen
Age: 53 †
Born: 1200
Born: January 19
Died: 1253
Died: September 29
Bhikkhu
Leader
Philosopher
Teacher
Whitefield
Greater Manchester
Dōgen Zenji
Dōgen Kigen
Eihei Dōgen
Dogen
Dougen
Forgetting
Opening
Oneself
Forget
More quotes by Dogen
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?
Dogen
You should stop searching for phrases and chasing after words. Take the backward step and turn the light inward. Your body-mind of itself will drop off and your original face will appear. If you want to attain just this, immediately practice just this.
Dogen
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.
Dogen
Truth is not far away. It is nearer than near. There is no need to attain it, since not one of your steps leads away from it.
Dogen
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
A zen master's life is one continuous mistake.
Dogen
Continuous practice, day after day, is the most appropriate way of expressing gratitude. This means that you practice continuously, without wasting a single day of your life, without using it for your own sake. Why is it so? Your life is a fortunate outcome of the continuous practice of the past. You should express your gratitude immediately.
Dogen
Zazen is the ultimate practice. This is indeed the True Self. The Buddhadharma is not to be sought outside of this.
Dogen
To study the Way is to study the self. To study the self is to forget the self.
Dogen
When a buddha is painted, not only a clay altar or lump of earth is used, but the thirty-two marks, a blade of grass, and the cultivation of wisdom for incalculable eons are used. As a Buddha has been painted on a single scroll in this way, all buddhas are painted buddhas, and all painted buddhas are actual buddhas.
Dogen
People who truly follow the Way would do well to conceal the fact that they are Buddhists.
Dogen
Prefer to be defeated in the presence of the wise than to excel among fools.
Dogen
Mountains and rivers at this very moment are the actualization of the world of the ancient Buddhas. Each, abiding in its phenomenal expression, realizes completeness.
Dogen
Practice and enlightenment are not two.
Dogen
When you find your place where you are, practice occurs, actualizing the fundamental point.
Dogen
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
Clearly I know, the mind is mountains, rivers, and the great earth sun, moon, and stars.
Dogen
Do not doubt that mountains walk simply because they may not appear to walk like humans.
Dogen
There is a simple way to become buddha: When you refrain from unwholesome actions, are not attached to birth and death, and are compassionate toward all sentient beings, respectful to seniors and kind to juniors, not excluding or desiring anything, with no designing thoughts or worries, you will be called a buddha. Do not seek anything else.
Dogen
Every man possesses the Buddha-nature. Do not demean yourselves.
Dogen
