Born in the year 1200 Dogan Zenji was a Japanese Buddhist monk, writer, poet and philosopher. He was the founder of the Soto school of Zen in Japan.
Below are his best quotes revolving around the subjects of peace, love and harmony.
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Those who seek the easy way do not seek the true way.
Dogan
If he cannot stop the mind that seeks after fame and profit, he will spend his life without finding peace.
Dogan
Prefer to be defeated in the presence of the wise than to excel among fools.
Dogan
Although its light is wide and great, the Moon is reflected in a puddle one inch wide. The whole Moon and the entire sky is reflected in one dew drop on the grass.
Dogan
If you cannot find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it?
Dogan
If you want to travel the Way of Buddhas and Zen masters, then expect nothing, seek nothing, and grasp nothing.
Dogan
To study Buddhism is to study ourselves. To study ourselves is to forget ourselves.
Dogan
To start from the self and try to understand all things is delusion. To let the self be awakened by all things is enlightenment.
Dogan
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.
Dogan
If you want to see things just as they are, then you yourself must practice just as you are.
Dogan
The whole moon and the entire sky are reflected in one dewdrop on the grass.
Dogan
To be in harmony with the wholeness of things is not to have anxiety over imperfections.
Dogan
To escape from the world means that one's mind is not concerned with the opinions of the world.
Dogan
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 realise the unity of all things.
Dogan
Meditation is not a way to enlightenment, Nor is it a method of achieving anything at all. It is peace itself. It is the actualization of wisdom, The ultimate truth of the oneness of all things.
Dogan
Enlightenment is intimacy with all things.
Dogan
No matter how bad a state of mind you may get into, if you keep strong and hold out, eventually the floating clouds must vanish and the withering wind must cease.
Dogan
Life and death are nothing but the mind. Years, months, days, and hours are nothing but the mind. Dreams, illusions, and mirages are nothing but the mind. The bubbles of water and the flames of fire are nothing but the mind. The flowers of the spring and the moon of the autumn are nothing but the mind. Confusions and dangers are nothing but the mind.
Dogan
When both body and mind are at peace, all things appear as they are: perfect, complete, lacking nothing.
Dogan
But do not ask me where I am going, As I travel in this limitless world, Where every step I take is my home.
Dogan
A flower falls, even though we love it; and a weed grows, even though we do not love it.
Dogan
Truth is not far away. It is nearer than near. There is no need to attain it, since not one of your steps leads away from it.
Dogan
We must always be disturbed by the truth.
Dogan
Continuous practice, day after day, is the most appropriate way of expressing gratitude. This means that you practice continuously, without wasting a single day of your life, without using it for your own sake. Why is it so? Your life is a fortunate outcome of the continuous practice of the past. You should express your gratitude immediately.
Dogan
What is reality? An icicle forming in fire.
Dogan
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.
Dogan
That you carry yourself forward and experience the myriad things is delusion. That the myriad things come forward and experience themselves is awakening.
Dogan
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.
Dogan
A fool sees himself as another, but a wise man sees others as himself.
Dogan
Studying the Buddha way is studying oneself. Studying oneself is forgetting oneself. Forgetting oneself is being enlightened by all things. Being enlightened by all things is to shed the body-mind of oneself, and those of others. No trace of enlightenment remains, and this traceless enlightenment continues endlessly.
Dogan
Do not think you will necessarily be aware of your own enlightenment.
Dogan
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.
Dogan
Your body is like a dew-drop on the morning grass, your life is as brief as a flash of lightning. Momentary and vain, it is lost in a moment.
Dogan
There is a simple way to become buddha: When you refrain from unwholesome actions, are not attached to birth and death, and are compassionate toward all sentient beings, respectful to seniors and kind to juniors, not excluding or desiring anything, with no designing thoughts or worries, you will be called a buddha. Do not seek anything else.
Dogan
