Dōgen Quotes

29 Sourced Quotes

When other sects speak well of Zen, the first thing that they praise is its poverty.

Dōgen
There are those who, attracted by grass, flowers, mountains, and waters, flow into the Buddha Way.

Dōgen
Set aside all involvements and let the myriad things rest. Zazen is not thinking of good, not thinking of bad. It is not conscious endeavour. It is not introspection. Do not desire to become a buddha; let sitting or lying down drop away. Be moderate in eating and drinking. Be mindful of the passing of time, and engage yourself in zazen as though you are saving your head from fire.

Dōgen
To study Buddhism is to study ourselves. To study ourselves is to forget ourselves.

Dōgen
Those who practice know whether realization is attained or not, just as those who drink water know whether it is hot or cold

Dōgen
When you ride in a boat and watch the shore, you might assume that the shore is moving. But when you keep your eyes closely on the boat, you can see that the boat moves. Similarly, if you examine many things with a confused mind, you might suppose that your mind and nature are permanent. But when you practice intimately and return to where you are, it will be clear that there is nothing that has unchanging self.

Dōgen
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.

Dōgen
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?

Dōgen
Students of the Way must not study Buddhism for the sake of themselves. They must study Buddhism only for the sake of Buddhism. The key to this is to renounce both body and mind without holding anything back and to offer them to the great sea of Buddhism.

Dōgen
People who truly follow the Way would do well to conceal the fact that they are Buddhists.

Dōgen
But do not ask me where I am going,
As I travel in this limitless world,
Where every step I take is my home.

Dōgen
Just study Buddhism. Don't follow the sentiments of the world.

Dōgen
Students today should begrudge every moment of time. This dewlike life fades away; time speeds swiftly. In this short life of ours, avoid involvement in superfluous things and just study the Way.

Dōgen
Buddhas and Ancestors continuously maintain ocean mudra samadhi. While swimming in this samadhi, they expound, realize, practice.

Dōgen
The Buddha said, "Elements come together and form this body. At the time of appearing, elements appear. At the time of disappearing, elements disappear. When elements appear, I do not say "I" appear. When elements disappear, I do not say "I" disappear. Past moments and future moments do not arise in sequence. Past elements and future elements are not in alignment. This is the meaning of ocean mudra samadhi."
Closely investigate these words by the Buddha. Attaining the way and entering realization does not necessarily require extensive learning or realization. Anyone can attain the way through a simple verse of four lines. Even scholars of extensive learning can enter realization through a one line verse.

Dōgen
A fool sees himself as another, but a wise man sees others as himself.

Dōgen
It is only due to a lack of heart for the Way and a lack of skill in handling their daily conduct that people become vainly tied to fame and gain.

Dōgen
Just practice good, do good for others, without thinking of making yourself known so that you may gain reward. Really bring benefit to others, gaining nothing for yourself. This is the primary requisite for breaking free of attachments to the Self.

Dōgen
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.

Dōgen
The whole moon and the entire sky are reflected in one dewdrop on the grass.

Dōgen
If he cannot stop the mind that seeks after fame and profit, he will spend his life without finding peace.

Dōgen
When you find your place where you are, practice occurs, actualizing the fundamental point.

Dōgen
Right and wrong are temporal, but time is neither right nor wrong. Right and wrong are the Dharma, but the Dharma is neither right nor wrong. In the balance of the Dharma, wrong is balanced. In the balance of the Dharma, right is balanced.
And so, in learning of complete and utter Awakening, in hearing the Teachings, doing the training, and realizing the effect, this is profound, vast, and wonderful. Some hear of unsurpassed Awakening from good friends, and some hear of it from the sutras. What one hears first is, "Not doing wrong action." If one does not hear not doing wrong action, one is not hearing the Buddhas' true Dharma but demonic talk. Know that hearing not doing wrong action is hearing the Buddhas' true Dharma.

Dōgen
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.

Dōgen
Coming, going, the waterbirds
don't leave a trace
don't follow a path.

Dōgen