Look for Buddha outside your own mind, and Buddha becomes the devil.
DOGENIn a mind clear as still water, even the waves, breaking, are reflecting its light.
More Dogen Quotes
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Those who seek the easy way do not seek the true way.
DOGEN -
Coming, going, the waterbirds, don’t leave a trace, don’t follow a path.
DOGEN -
To study Buddhism is to study ourselves. To study ourselves is to forget ourselves.
DOGEN -
Prefer to be defeated in the presence of the wise than to excel among fools.
DOGEN -
In the stream, Rushing past To the dusty world, My fleeting form Casts no reflection.
DOGEN -
When you paint Spring, do not paint willows, plums, peaches, or apricots – just paint Spring.
DOGEN -
Your body is like a dew-drop on the morning grass, your life is as brief as a flash of lightning. Momentary and vain, it is lost in a moment.
DOGEN -
What you think in your own mind to be good, or what people of the world think is good, is not necessarily good.
DOGEN -
There are mountains hidden in mountains. There are mountains hidden in hiddenness. This is complete understanding.
DOGEN -
When you walk in the mist, you get wet.
DOGEN -
Zazen is an activity that is an extension of the universe. Zazen is not the life of an individual, it’s the universe that’s breathing.
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 -
In a mind clear as still water, even the waves, breaking, are reflecting its light.
DOGEN -
If you want to do a certain thing, you first have to be a certain person. Once you become that certain person, you will not care anymore about doing that certain thing.
DOGEN -
Yet 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.
DOGEN -
An ancient buddha said, “Mountains are mountains; waters are waters.” These words do not mean mountains are mountains; they mean mountains are mountains.
DOGEN -
If you want to travel the Way of Buddhas and Zen masters, then expect nothing, seek nothing, and grasp nothing.
DOGEN -
I haven’t got any Buddhism. I live by letting things happen.
DOGEN -
IF YOU WOULD BE FREE OF GREED, FIRST YOU HAVE TO LEAVE EGOTISM BEHIND. THE BEST MENTAL EXERCISE FOR RELINQUISHING EGOTISM IS CONTEMPLATING IMPERMANENCE.
DOGEN -
To escape from the world means that one’s mind is not concerned with the opinions of the world.
DOGEN -
Practice and enlightenment are not two.
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 -
Be moderate in eating and drinking. Mindful of the passing of time, engage yourself in zazen as though saving your head from fire.
DOGEN -
One must be deeply aware of the impermanence of the world.
DOGEN -
Let your heart go out and abide in things. Let things return and abide in your heart.
DOGEN -
Sitting is the gateway of truth to total liberation.
DOGEN