Awakening Is Accessible to All Beings

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This Way is not the possession of the learned or the gifted. It does not belong to monks alone, nor to those of high birth. Any person, whether man or woman, whether wise or simple, can realize this great matter. The Buddha-nature makes no distinctions. A farmer in the field, a woman drawing water—each one possesses the same luminous nature as the Buddha himself. This is why we must open the gate of practice wide, so that all beings may enter.

license: public_domain

Attribution

• Attributed To
  Keizan Jōkin

Lineage: Sōtō

By Keizan Jōkin

• Points to Watch in Zazenpractice-instruction
• The Transmission to Mahakashyapadialogue
• Zazen Yojinki: Notes on What to Be Aware of in Zazensermon
• Broad Seatproverb
• Record of the Transmission of Lightproverb

Sources

• contentWikisource — English-language free library

  Attributed to Keizan Jokin, Denkoroku preface

  Teachings of Keizan Jokin: Awakening Is Accessible to All Beings