Fukan-zazengi

The way of zazen recommended to everyone

By Dogen Zenji

Originally,
The Way is complete and universal.
How can we distinguish practice from enlightenment?
The Vehicle of Reality is in the Self.
Why should we waste our efforts trying to attain it?
Still more, the Whole Body is free from dust.
Why should we believe in a means to sweep it away?
The Way is never separated from where we are now.
Why should we wander here and there to practice?

Yet, if there is the slightest deviation, you will be as far from the
Way as heaven is from earth.
If adverse or favorable conditions arise to even a small degree,
you will lose your mind in confusion.

Even if you are proud of your understanding,
are enlightened in abundance,
and obtain the power of wisdom to glimpse the ground of Buddha-hood;
even if you gain the Way,
clarify the mind,
resolve to pierce heaven,
that is only strolling on the border of the Buddha Way.
You are still, almost always, lacking the vivid way of emancipation.

Moreover, consider Shakyamuni Buddha who was enlightened from birth;
to this day you can see the traces of his sitting
in the straight posture for six years.
And Bodhidharma who transmitted the mind seal;
even now you can hear the fame of his facing the wall for nine years.
These ancient sages practiced the way.
How can people of today refrain from practice?

Therefore, cease studying words and letters.
Learn to step back, turning the light inwards, illuminating the Self.
Doing so, your body and mind will drop off naturally, and Original Self will manifest.
If you wish to attain suchness, practice suchness immediately.

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