Dogen Zenji

To study Buddhism is to study the self. To study the self is to forget the self. To forget the self is to be awakened by all things.

[on enlightenment] Body and mind dropped off.

In a mind clear as still water, even the waves, breaking, are reflecting its light.

One must be deeply aware of the impermanence of the world.

Zazen is an activity that is an extension of the universe. Zazen is not the life of an individual, it’s the universe that’s breathing.

If you are unable to find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it?

No sinner is ever saved after the first twenty minutes of a sermon.

What a good thing Adam had. When he said a good thing he knew nobody had said it before.

Adam was the luckiest man; he had no mother-in-law.

No snowflake ever falls in the wrong place.

If we could get all religions together on a common purpose-the elimination of jealousies and the things that make men covet another’s belongings, we would be a long way toward the goal of outmoding war, depression and poverty.

The essence of Buddhism is, if you can, to help others. If not, then at least refrain from hurting others.

I adopted the theory of reincarnation when I was 26. I got the idea from a book by Orlando Smith. Until I discovered this theory I was unsettled and dissatisfied-without a compass, so to speak. When I discovered reincarnation it was as if I had found a universal plan. I realized that there was a chance to work out my ideas. Time was no longer limited. I was no longer a slave to the hands of the clock. There was time enough to plan and to create. I wouldn’t give five cents for seeing all the world, because I feel there is nothing in the five continents and on the five seas that I have not somehow seen. Somewhere is a master mind sending brain wave messages to us. There is a Great Spirit. I never did anything by my own volition. I was pushed by invisible forces within and without me. We inherit a native knowledge from a previous existence. Gospel of reincarnation is essence of all knowledge. I do not know where we come from or go to but we accumulate experience. Someday it will be possible to measure the soul. We all retain memories of past lives.

Jesus tapped me on the shoulder and said, Bob, why are you resisting me? I said, I’m not resisting you! He said, You gonna follow me? I said, I’ve never thought about that before! He said, When you’re not following me, you’re resisting me.

Learning Zen is a phenomenon of gold & dung. Before you learn it, it’s like gold; after you learn it, it’s like dung.

Believe in something larger than yourself…get involved in the big ideas of your time.

Only a spiritual being has awareness.

Religion was invented when the first con man met the first fool.

The whole moon and the entire sky are reflected in one dewdrop on the grass.

Your talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God.

It’s not about approving or liking, but just being able to allow the world to be the way it is without resenting, hating, or judging it.