Posted inArt and Poems, Dogen, Other Teachings

Birth and Death 3

November 7, 2016

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It is a mistake to suppose that birth turns into death. Birth is a phase that is an entire period of itself, with its own past and future. For this reason, in buddha-dharma, birth is understood as no-birth. Death is a phase that is an entire period of itself, with its own past and future. For this reason, in buddha-dharma, death is understood as no-death.

In birth there is nothing but birth and in death there is nothing but death. Accordingly, when birth comes, face and actualize birth and when death comes, face and actualize death. Do not avoid them or desire them.

 

Translated by Arnold Kotler and Kazuaki Tanahasi

From Moon in a Dewdrop, Writings of Zen Master Dogen, Editor Kazuaki Tanahasi, San Francisco: North Point Press, 1985.  Image: Stillness, and more Stillness by nik gaffney, CC by-SA 2.o, from Flickr.com

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