It marks the end of dependence on conceptual belief and thought and the beginning of the great unfolding – the unlimited emergence of prajnaparamita – the “Perfection of
This discovery is certainly the most important event in a student’s life. It was then that the answer to Dogen’s deep question became clear.ĭuring a particularly strict sesshin retreat, Ju-Ching taunted his students, loudly exclaiming: “What are you doing falling asleep? The principle of Zen is: Drop the Body! Drop the Mind!” Instantly, Dogen awoke, freed from the sole cataract blocking his clarity. After a difficult and long sea voyage, they travelled around by foot, visiting many well known monasteries, until finally Dogen settled down with Ju-Ching, (Master Tendo Nyojo). He set out on the great journey to China with his teacher Myozen, at the age of 23. So, I changed my way of thinking, realizing that I should think of my eminent predecessors, the great priests of China and India, rather than the monks in Japan.” However, when I learned of eminent monks of the past, I realized that the thoughts I had been thinking were despised and hated by such people. Still dissatisfied, he finally resolved to make the arduous journey to the birthplace of Zen Buddhism, the ancient Chan (Zen) temples of China.ĭogen remembers: “I was unable to meet a true teacher or any good friends of the Way and consequently confused and evil thoughts arose. There, he studied under master Eisai (1141-1215) and his successor master Myozen for several years. Hiei Tendai temple where he had been a young monk, and move to a Rinzai temple near Kyoto instead. This question so bothered Dogen, he decided to leave the Mt. It’s an anguish experienced by many on the path.ĭoesn’t this sound similar to the “There is nothing to do” and “This is it!” chant heard so often today? What is the point of the endless meditative practice and the guidance of experienced guides? How can it be contingent upon practice, concentrated effort and realization, if it’s true ? If this is so, he pondered, “Why do all Buddhas, past, present and future, seek enlightenment?” Why do we have to practice?ĭogen was pointing at the dualistic contradiction inherent between the ideal and the real. So, what does Dogen, born more than 800 years ago have to do with contemporary self inquiry?Īt an early age, Dogen was exposed to esoteric teachings of Buddhism including the popular understanding that our “original face,” our true nature, is awake and fully enlightened in all beings from the very beginning. He has been called the greatest creative thinker in Japanese history.ĭogen, born in 1200, introduced Zen to Japan and, later, Keizan Jokin, also known as Taiso Josai Daishi, took Dogen’s monastic practice and spread it throughout Japan, laying the foundation of Soto Zen as the formidable organization it is today. No conversation about Japanese Zen is complete without a discussion of one of the World’s great masters, Eihei Dogen (also known as Dogen Zenji).
#SOTO ZEN QUOTES ON MIND FREE#
If your mind is free of vanity, then every season is fine.” In summer a cool breeze, and in winter the white snow,
“ In spring hundreds of flowers, in autumn the clear moon,
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