Dogen Zenji, also known as Eihei Dogen, was a Japanese Buddhist monk, writer, poet, philosopher, and founder of the Sōtō school of Zen in Japan. He is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential Zen masters in history. Dogen’s teachings emphasized the practice of zazen, or seated meditation, as a means to attain enlightenment. His writings, filled with profound insights and poetic wisdom, continue to inspire and guide spiritual seekers to this day.
In this article, we have compiled a collection of Dogen quotes that offer glimpses into his profound understanding of Zen and the nature of reality. These quotes are not only insightful but also serve as reminders to live in the present moment and cultivate a deep sense of awareness and compassion in our daily lives.
So, without further ado, let us dive into the wisdom of Dogen Zenji and explore these enlightening quotes:
Read these dogen quotes
“To study the Way is to study the self. To study the self is to forget the self. To forget the self is to be enlightened by all things.”
“When you understand one thing through and through, you understand everything. When you try to understand everything, you will not understand anything.”
“The Way is not difficult, it only requires you to not pick and choose.”
“Do not follow the ideas of others, but learn to listen to the voice within yourself.”
“When delusions are absent, the mind is the land of Buddhas.”
“The moon reflected in the water is not the real moon, and thoughts arising in the mind are not the real mind.”
“If you are unable to find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it?”
“To be enlightened is to be intimate with all things.”
“The one who bows and the one who is bowed to are both by nature empty.”
“To be in harmony with the oneness of things is to be without anxiety about oneself.”
“Do not be concerned with the faults of other persons. Do not see others’ faults with a hateful mind. There is an old saying that if you stop seeing others’ faults, then naturally seniors and venerated and juniors and inferiors are all without fault.”
“Do not think that time merely flies away. Do not see flying away as the only function of time. If time merely flies away, you would be separated from time.”
“Do not be concerned about the future. Keep your attention on today, and stay in the present moment.”
“If you want to travel the Way of Buddhas and Zen masters, then expect nothing, seek nothing, and grasp nothing.”
“In the practice of meditation, all thoughts are the same: they are all false and empty.”
“To have a body is to suffer. Does anyone with a body know peace?”
“Life 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.”
“To study Buddhism is to study ourselves. To study ourselves is to forget ourselves.”
“In the beginner’s mind, there are many possibilities. In the expert’s mind, there are few.”
“Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Seek what they sought.”
“Realization is not attainment, and is disappointing. Even though you try to realize it, it is beyond your touch.”
“When you meet a Zen master on the road, kill him.”
“To be able to realize the emptiness of all things is to be able to realize the Buddha Way.”
“The Buddha way is only one. It is not a way of knowing or not knowing. Knowing is delusion; not knowing is confusion.”
“Enlightenment is like the moon reflected on the water. The moon does not get wet, nor is the water broken. Although its light is wide and great, the moon is reflected even in a puddle an inch wide. The whole moon and the entire sky are reflected in dewdrops on the grass, or even in one drop of water.”
“To study Buddhism is to study the self. To study the self is to forget the self. To forget the self is to be enlightened by all things.”
These quotes from Dogen Zenji offer profound insights into the nature of reality and the path to enlightenment. Each quote invites us to contemplate deeply and find our own truth within. By embracing the teachings of Dogen, we can cultivate a greater sense of awareness, compassion, and harmony in our lives.
