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.
Dogen on Knowledge
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Attributed to Dogen:
“When you walk in the mist, you become wet without knowing it.”
Dogen on Mind
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Attributed to Dogen:
“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.”
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Attributed to Dogen:
“Do not follow the ideas of others, but learn to listen to the voice within yourself.”
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.”
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?”
Dogen on Virtue
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Attributed to Dogen:
“Practice and enlightenment are one.”