‘Risking our dewdroplike life in crossing the ocean of ten thousand li and crossing mountains and rivers of a foreign land, we seek the way. However, it is our lamentable fortune to see such a decline of dharma. How much of the pure dharma has perished before us? It is regrettable, truly regrettable.’ (Shobogenzo Semmen)
Is the beauty of this lyrical passage enhanced or diminished when you learn that it follows a paragraph where what Dogen is lamenting is that monks in China have bad breath because they do not use willow twigs?
The Treasure the Road study group has come to the end of that fascicle, and starting today, we will be looking at Receiving the Marrow By Bowing.
Shundo David Haye 