Dogen Quotes
Eihei Dogen was a 13th-century Japanese Zen Buddhist priest and philosopher, the founder of the Soto school of Zen in Japan. After studying in China and returning to Japan in 1227, he established Eihei-ji monastery in Echizen Province, which remains one of the two main temples of the Soto school today. The quotes below are attributed to Dogen, organized by topic.
Browse Dogen by topic
Dogen on Justice
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“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.”
Shobogenzo Zuimonki(1238) | IV, 1 -
“Just study Buddhism. Don't follow the sentiments of the world.”
Shobogenzo Zuimonki(1238) | V, 9
Dogen on Knowledge
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Attributed to Dogen:
“When you walk in the mist, you become wet without knowing it.”
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“Coming, going, the waterbirds don't leave a trace don't follow a path.”
As quoted in The Enlightened Heart : An Anthology of Sacred Poetry (1989) by Stephen Mitchell , p. 50 -
“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?”
As quoted in Eihei Dogen, Mystical Realist (2004) by Hee-jin Kim -
“The primordial Buddhas are saying,”
Wikiquote -
“Shoaku makusa : Not Doing Wrong Action" as translated by Anzan Hoshin roshi and Yasuda Joshu Dainen roshi (2007)”
Wikiquote -
“Shoaku makusa : Not Doing Wrong Action" as translated by Anzan Hoshin roshi and Yasuda Joshu Dainen roshi (2007)”
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 wonderf -
“Fascicle 1 ( Genjokoan ) of Shobogenzo , trans. Paul Jaffe (1996), in Yasutani, Flowers Fall (Boston: Shambhala), 101-107.”
To study the Buddha way is to study oneself. To study oneself is to forget oneself. To forget oneself is to be enlightened by the myriad dharmas. To be enlightened by the myriad dharmas is to bring about the dropping away of body and mind of both oneself and others. The traces of enlightenment come to an end, and this traceless enlightenment is continued endlessly. When a person starts to search o -
“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.”
Shobogenzo: The Treasure House of the Eye of the True Teaching" (2007) by Rev. Hubert Nearman, O.B.C. Chapter 29, p. 421 -
“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.”
Shobogenzo Zuimonki(1238) | III, 3
Dogen on Life
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“If he cannot stop the mind that seeks after fame and profit, he will spend his life without finding peace.”
Shobogenzo Zuimonki(1238) | VI, 9 -
“Furthermore, form and substance are like dew on a blade of grass, and fleeting life is as a flash of lightning, instantly emptied and immediately lost.”
A Universal Recommendation for True Zazen | (Note: This is an allusion to the final gāthā (verses) of the Diamond Sutra .)
Dogen on Mind
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“To study the Buddha 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.”
Fascicle 1 ( Genjokoan ) of Shobogenzo , trans. Paul Jaffe (1996), in Yasutani, Flowers Fall (Boston: Shambhala), 101-107. -
Attributed to Dogen:
“Do not follow the ideas of others, but learn to listen to the voice within yourself.”
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“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.”
Shobogenzo Zuimonki(1238) | VI, 2
Dogen on Nature
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“But do not ask me where I am going, As I travel in this limitless world, Where every step I take is my home.”
As translated in The Zen Poetry of Dōgen : Verses from the Mountain of Eternal Peace (1997) by Steven Heine , p. 61 -
“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.”
Shobogenzo Zuimonki(1238) | V, 2
Dogen on Time
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Attributed to Dogen:
“Time itself is being, and all being is time.”
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Attributed to Dogen:
“Firewood becomes ash, and it does not become firewood again.”
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“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.”
Shobogenzo Zuimonki(1238) | V, 8
Dogen on Truth
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Attributed to Dogen:
“If you cannot find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it?”
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“Zazen is the ultimate practice. This is indeed the True Self. The Buddhadharma is not to be sought outside of this.”
Shobogenzo Zuimonki(1238) | II, 22
Dogen on Virtue
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“Practice and enlightenment are one.”
As quoted in Eihei Dogen, Mystical Realist (2004) by Hee-jin Kim