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An additional “simultaneously true” perspective of Master Dogen (not so clear in this passage, but found throughout Shobogenzo and we will encounter it many times) is that everything in the universe is dependent for its existence on everything else. In fact, we might say, everything –is– everything. Thus, there would be no “birth” without “death”.…

Master Dogen observes that you, and all the other “selves” of the universe, do not exist as separate selves. Next, Master Dogen observes that you and all the other selves absolutely exist, that the universe transcends abundance or scarcity, that nothing is missing or to be taken away from the universe or anything it contains.…

In our ordinary experience of phenomena, we live in a world of self, other things and people-not-ourself, birth, death, and Buddhist practice that is required to overcome delusion and bring about realization. [Jundo Note: I believe that there is some clarification required with the Nishijima-Cross translation here. The phrase “Buppo” (佛法), or “Dharma”, can have…

. A friend wrote today to say that his beloved dog is dying of old age or cancer, may need to be put down, and its a bit of a difficult time for his family. I thought that his story of ordinary human sadness would serve to illustrate Master Dogen’s message in this first passage…
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