I’ve been asked several times whether Zen is a ‘religion’, a ‘philosophy’, or just what it is. My teacher, Nishijima Roshi, has written that all people necessarily have a ‘religion’, no matter that they call it a ‘philosophy’, or claim that they are ‘atheists’, or that they have no religion at all. [My] definition of…

Which of the following statements are true? (a) Zen Buddhists drop all opinions . (b) Zen Buddhists hold clear opinions . (c) Zen Buddhists drop all judgments of ‘right’ and ‘true’ . (d) Zen Buddhists judge many things as ‘right’ and ‘true’ . Answer: (a) (b) (c) & (d) Thus Dogen Zenji, a man of…

Notice the picture below … the center-pole anchoring opposing judgments of ‘true’ or ‘false’, see the whiteness from which all of it arises … Imagine that the pole stands for a world prior to all human judgments of right and wrong, true or false, this and that, left and right, good vs. bad, self and…

I like it so much when Master Dogen says to drop ‘likes’ and ‘dislikes’ … It’s good stuff to not think ‘good’ or ‘bad’ … Abandon all involvements. Give the myriad things a rest. Do not think of good and bad. Do not care about right and wrong. Stop the driving movement of mind, will,…

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