August 18th, 2024

The great way of the buddhas is profound, wondrous, inconceivable; how could its practice be easy? Have you not seen how the ancients gave up their bodies and lives, abandoned their countries, cities, and families, looking upon them as shards of tile?

After that they passed eons living alone in the mountains and forests, bodies and minds like dead trees; only then did they unite with the way.

Then they could use the mountains and rivers for words, raise the wind and rain for a tongue, and explain the great void, turning the incomparable wheel.

Dogen (1200-1253)