Mystical Realist

[ric...@rwilliams.us]

In Dogen's Zen practice, the primary realization is the
*oneness* of practice-enlightenment. The practice of
zazen and the experience of enlightenment are one
and the same - there is no difference - no duality.

The practice of 'just sitting' is non-different from the
enlightenment - there is no gap between your practice
and your enlightenment. Just sitting IS enlightenment.
Zazen is not step-by-step process - it is all-at-once or
nothing at all. There are no steps along the way - go
through the gateless gate.

Dogen Kigen:

Fifty-four years lighting up the sky.
A quivering leap smashes a billion worlds.
Hah!
Entire body looks for nothing.
Living, I plunge into Yellow Springs.

Excert:

"Once we trun our eyes from Japan to the Western
scene, we find that virtually nothing has been
introduced concerning Dogen - this is unfortunante
indeed, given that ignorance of Soto Zen is tantamount
to ignorance of Dogen, its founder."

Work cited:

'Dogen Kigen--Mystical Realist'
by Hee-Jin Kim
Wisdom Publications, 2004

[ric...@rwilliams.us]

[willytex]

According to Zen Master Dogen, in his 'Rules of Zazen'
you should "set aside all involvements and let the myriad
things rest. Zan is not thinking of good, not thinking of
bad. It is not a conscious endeavor. It is not introspection.
Do not desire to become a Buddha; let sitting or lying
down drop away."

'Rules for Zazen'
By Master Dogen

"The buddha way is, basically, leaping clear of the many
and the one; thus there are birth and death, delusion and
realization, sentient beings and buddhas. Yet in attachment
blossoms fall, and in aversion weeds spread" (Dogen 69).

Work cited:

'Moon in a Dewdrop'
Kazuaki Tanahashi, Editor
North Point Press, 1995