Prefer to be defeated in the presence of the wise than to excel among fools.
DOGENPrefer to be defeated in the presence of the wise than to excel among fools.
DOGENLearn the backward step that turns your light inward to illuminate your self. Body and mind of themselves will drop away, and your original face will be manifest.
DOGENTo study the self is to forget the self. To forget the self is to be enlightened by the ten thousand things.
DOGENDo not be amazed by the true dragon.
DOGENIf you cannot find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it?
DOGENMeditation is not a way to enlightenment, Nor is it a method of achieving anything at all. It is peace itself. It is the actualization of wisdom, The ultimate truth of the oneness of all things.
DOGENThere are mountains hidden in mountains. There are mountains hidden in hiddenness. This is complete understanding.
DOGENSince it is the practice of enlightenment, that practice has no beginning and since it is enlightenment within the practice, that realization has no end.
DOGENYet 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.
DOGENTo start from the self and try to understand all things is delusion. To let the self be awakened by all things is enlightenment.
DOGENStudents today should live fully every moment of time. This dew-like life fades away; time speeds swiftly. In this short life of ours, avoid involvement in superfluous things and just study the Way.
DOGENThere are those who, attracted by grass, flowers, mountains, and waters, flow into the Buddha Way.
DOGENThose who practice know whether realization is attained or not, just as those who drink water know whether it is hot or cold
DOGENLife and death are of supreme importance. Time swiftly passes by and opportunity is lost. Each of us should strive to awaken. Awaken. Take heed, do not squander your life.
DOGENThere is no beginning to practice nor end to enlightenment; There is no beginning to enlightenment nor end to practice.
DOGENComing, going, the waterbirds, don’t leave a trace, don’t follow a path.
DOGEN