In Kokuu's Dogen group, we just finished Shoji. This talk is a reflection on the opening lines.
Nishijima RoshiGudo Wafu Nishijima (西嶋愚道和夫) (November 29, 1919 - January 28, 2014) practiced Zen Buddhism for over seventy years, taught students from around the world, founded the group known as "Dogen Sangha", and translated Buddhist texts from Japanese and Sanskrit, including Dogen's ninety-five-fascicle Kana… Read more about Nishijima Roshi » translation:
Because in life-and-death there is buddha, there is no life and death. Again, we can say: Because in life-and-death there is no “buddha,” we are not deluded in life-and-death. (This) meaning was expressed by Kassan and Jozan.
Kazuaki Tanahashi translation:
As a Buddha is in birth and death, there is no birth and death. It is also said, “As a buddha is not in birth and death, a buddha is not deluded by birth and death.” These statements are the essence of the words of the two Zen masters Kassan (
Keqin Jiashan) and Jozan (Dingshan).
This isn't Dogen's pronouncement! This is Dogen quoting Kassan and Jozan, picking up two lines his audience would likely already know. This is often the case with Dogen. He spoke in the memes of his time and place - the methodology of "Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra" (or maybe "a monk asked the master, 'Why is Violin Hamster sad?'):
Anzan Hoshin and Joshu Dainen's translation - "Life-Death", Udumbara: Journal of Zen Practice, 1987:
“There is no birth and death when Awake Awareness is within birth and death.” “If there is no Awake Awareness within birth and death, then there is no delusion about birth and death.” These are the words of two great Zen Masters, Kassan (
Jiashan Shanhui) and Jozan (Dingshan Shenying).
Also in this talk: a reflection on the emptiness of the neck of a sweater and a great teacher in the Jefferson National Forest:
Standing here under the great hole in the sky, flooded with blue, the forest floor is green with ferns and life. Through her presence, an absence created. Through her absence, a presence remains.
Comments