Shundo David Haye – Zen Priest

‘Remain always compassionate and dedicate the limitless virtue of zazen to all living beings.  Do not be arrogant; do not be proud of yourself and of your understanding of dharma.  Being so is the way of non-buddhist and ignorant people.

Vow to cut off all delusion and realize enlightenment, and just sit without doing anything.  This is the essence of zazen.  

Always wash your eyes and feet, keep your body and mind at ease and tranquil, and maintain a proper demeanor.

Throw away worldly sentiments; and yet do not attach yourself to a sublime feeling of the Way.

Though you should not begrudge the dharma, do not preach it unless you are asked.  Even if someone asks, keep silent three times; if the person still asks you from his or her heart, then teach them.  Out of ten times you desire to speak you should remain silent nine; as if mold were growing around your mouth, or like a fan which is not open in December, or like a wind-bell hanging in the air which is indifferent to the direction of the wind – this is how a person of the Way should be.

Do not use the dharma to profit at the expense of others.  Do not use the Way as a means to make yourself important.  These are the most important points to keep in mind.’ (Zazen Yojinki)

I’ve had this passage in my notes for a while (and may have even posted parts of it before), from his piece whose title translates as Things We Should Be Careful About Regarding Zazen. Reading it again, I found myself nodding along perhaps a little more vigourously when I read it again the other day.