(BENDOWA XXVI)
In the remaining pages of Bendowa, Master Dogen answers a series of 18 questions about the whys and hows of Zazen …
First, he starts off by saying that Zazen is the gateway to truth, to what the Buddha realized.
So, if it was good enough for all of them, it is probably good enough for us! 🙂
But, in fact, did all the Buddhas and Ancestors practice exactly the form of Zazen we practice?
No … and Yes …
Question One & Two:
Now we have heard how high and great is the merit of this zazen. [But] some stupid person mightdoubtingly ask, “There are manygates to the Buddha-Dharma. Why do you solely recommend sitting in Zazen?”
I say: Because it is the authenticgate to the Buddha-Dharma.
[Someone]asks, “Why do you see it as the onlyauthentic gate?”
I say: Great Master Sakyamuni exactly transmitted, as the authentic tradition,this subtle method of grasping the state of truth, and the tathagatas of thethree times [past, present and future] all attained the truth through Zazen.Thus the fact that [Zazen] is the authentic gate has been transmitted andreceived [from one person to another]. Furthermore, [all the ancestors ofIndian and
From: Bendowa – A Talk about Pursuing the Truth – Nishijima-Cross [with some amendments according to Uchiyama]
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