Dogen Quotes

Japan, Priest
January 19, 1200 – September, 22, 1253.

Dōgen Zenji (道元禅師; 19 January 1200 – 22 September 1253), also known as Dōgen Kigen (道元希玄), Eihei Dōgen (永平道元), Kōso Jōyō Daishi (高祖承陽大師), or Busshō Dentō Kokushi (仏性伝東国師), was a Japanese Buddhist priest, writer, poet, philosopher, and founder of the Sōtō school of Zen in Japan.

Also known as Poet, Writer, Philosopher

A flower falls, even though we love it; and a weed grows, even though we do not love it.

Dogen
- Flower
- Weed
Do not think you will necessarily be aware of your own enlightenment.

Dogen
- Enlightenment

If you cannot find the truth within yourself, where else do you expect to find it?

Dogen
- Truth
Do not follow the ideas of others, but learn to listen to the voice within yourself. Your body and mind will become clear and you will realize the unity of all things.

Dogen
- Mind
- Unity
The color of the mountains is Buddha's body; the sound of running water is his great speech.

Dogen
- Great
- Running
- Water
When we discover that the truth is already in us, we are all at once our original selves.

Dogen
- Truth
Working with plants, trees, fences and walls, if they practice sincerely they will attain enlightenment.

Dogen
You should study not only that you become a mother when your child is born, but also that you become a child.

Dogen
- Mother
- Study