How to Sit (Fukanzazengi, opening)

Text

The way is originally perfect and all-pervading. How could it depend on practice and verification? The dharma vehicle is free and untrammeled. What need is there for our concentrated effort? Indeed, the whole body is far beyond the world's dust. Who could believe in a means to brush it clean? It is never apart from one, right where one is. What is the use of going off here and there to practice? For sanzen, a quiet room is suitable. Eat and drink moderately. Cast aside all involvements and cease all affairs. Do not think 'good' or 'bad.' Do not judge true or false. Give up the operations of mind, intellect, and consciousness; stop measuring with thoughts, ideas, and views. Have no designs on becoming a buddha.

tr. Sōtōshū editorial summary (after Bielefeldt 1988)

license: cc_by

Attribution

• Speaker
  Dōgen

Lineage: Sōtō

By Dōgen

• Not Aware of Enlightenmentproverb
• Continuous Practiceproverb
• Flowers Fall, Weeds Springproverb
• Firewood and Ash (Genjokoan)sermon
• Enlightenment Is Like the Moon Reflected in Water (Genjokoan)sermon

From Fukanzazengi

• Fukanzazengi (Universal Recommendation for Zazen)

Sources

• contentFukanzazengi 普勧坐禅儀 (Universal Recommendation for Zazen)

  Eihei Dōgen

  Fukanzazengi, opening section; Sōtōshū English edition

  Fukanzazengi: How to Sit (Fukanzazengi, opening)