Dogen Quotes

Dogen — Japanese Leader born on January 19, 1200, died on September 22, 1253

Dōgen Zenji was a Japanese Buddhist priest, writer, poet, philosopher, and founder of the Sōtō school of Zen in Japan. Originally ordained as a monk in the Tendai School in Kyoto, he was ultimately dissatisfied with its teaching and traveled to China to seek out a more authentic Buddhism. He remained there for five years, finally training under Tiantong Rujing, an eminent teacher of the Chinese Caodong lineage. Upon his return to Japan he began promoting the meditation practice of zazen through literary works such as Fukan zazengi and Bendōwa. He eventually broke relations completely with the powerful Tendai School and, after several years of likely friction between him and the establishment, left Kyoto for the mountainous countryside where he founded the monastery Eihei-ji, which remains the head temple of the Sōtō school today... (wikipedia)

A flower falls, even though we love it; and a weed grows, even though we do not love it.

If you cannot find the truth within yourself, where else do you expect to find it?

Do not follow the ideas of others, but learn to listen to the voice within yourself. Your body and mind will become clear and you will realize the unity of all things.

You should study not only that you become a mother when your child is born, but also that you become a child.

Working with plants, trees, fences and walls, if they practice sincerely they will attain enlightenment.