Dogen
Eihei Dogen
1200-1253 • Japanese
Zen
Japanese Zen master who founded the Soto school. His Shobogenzo is one of the most profound texts in Zen literature.
Key Works
- Shobogenzo
- Instructions to the Cook
114
quotes in library
Quotes by Dogen
114 quotes“This is the way it is.”
thusnessEihei Koroku
“Coming, going, the waterfowl leaves no trace.”
non-traceEihei Koroku
“Nor does it need a guide.”
freedomEihei Koroku
“The whole moon and the entire sky are reflected in one dewdrop on the grass.”
reflectionGenjokoan
“He who would understand the way must investigate the self.”
interiorityBendowa
“Without zazen, the Buddha way cannot be realized.”
zazenBendowa
“Zazen is the dharma gate of repose and bliss.”
zazenBendowa
“It is the practice-realization of total culmination.”
zazenBendowa
“It is the manifestation of ultimate reality.”
zazenBendowa
“Traps and snares can never reach it.”
freedomBendowa
“Once its heart is grasped, you are like a dragon that has reached the water, like a tiger that finds itself in the mountains.”
naturalnessBendowa
“For you must know that the true Dharma is itself manifesting at this very moment.”
presenceBendowa
“Drop off body and mind.”
surrenderGenjokoan
“There is no body-and-mind to drop off.”
emptinessGenjokoan
“Have it dropped off.”
surrenderGenjokoan
“To drop body and mind is to enter the gate of all dharmas.”
surrenderBendowa
“Bowing is itself awakening.”
reverenceShobogenzo
“Reverence completed in body and mind is what we call buddha.”
reverenceShobogenzo
“Cooking the rice is the work of the buddhas.”
presenceTenzo Kyokun
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