Firewood and Ash (Genjokoan)

Text

Firewood becomes ash, and it does not become firewood again. Yet do not suppose that the ash is after and the firewood before. You should understand that firewood abides in the dharma position of firewood, which fully includes before and after, and is independent of before and after. Ash abides in the dharma position of ash, which fully includes before and after. Just as firewood does not become firewood again after it is ash, you do not return to birth after death.

license: public_domain

Attribution

• Attributed To
  Dōgen

Lineage: Sōtō

By Dōgen

• How to Sit (Fukanzazengi, opening)practice-instruction
• Not Aware of Enlightenmentproverb
• Continuous Practiceproverb
• Flowers Fall, Weeds Springproverb
• Enlightenment Is Like the Moon Reflected in Water (Genjokoan)sermon

From Shobogenzo

• Not Aware of Enlightenment
• Continuous Practice
• Enlightenment Is Like the Moon Reflected in Water (Genjokoan)
• To Study the Self
• Being-Time (Uji)
• Spring Does Not Become Summer
• Shōbōgenzō (Treasury of the True Dharma Eye)

Sources

• contentWikisource — English-language free library

  Shobogenzo, Genjokoan

  Shobogenzo: Firewood and Ash (Genjokoan)