Shundo David Haye – Zen Priest

‘Dogen Zenji says, “To study Buddhism is to study ourselves. To study ourselves is to forget ourselves” [laughs]. When you forget temporal expression of big, true nature is why it is necessary to talk about, or else you will think this is it. But this is not it [laughs]. This is it, but this is not it [laughs]. For a while this is it, for the smallest particle of time it is it [laughs]. It is not always so. It is not it. So that you will realize this fact, you have teacher, you have teaching, it is necessary to study Buddhism. But the purpose of studying Buddhism is to study ourselves, and forget ourselves. When you forget yourselves, you resume, you will actually take the true activity of the big existence or reality. When we realize this fact, there is no problem whatsoever in this world. And you can enjoy your life without having any trouble or difficulties. This is how we study Buddhism, and the purpose of this meeting or practice is to be aware of this fact.’ (from the Suzuki Roshi archive)

This is Suzuki Roshi explaining what I call “Dogen’s five-part harmony” from the Genjo Koan in an early talk to the Los Altos group.