Shundo David Haye – Zen Priest

‘Priest Eihei Dogen returned to [Japan and] Kennin Monastery in 1227 to refine his practice. There was a rumor that he transmitted the True Dharma from China and privately wanted to spread it. The master [Koun Ejo] got wind of this and thought, “I understand the [Tendai] teaching of the three cessations and three contemplations and have grasped the essential practices of the one approach of Pure Land Buddhism. Moreover, I studied at Tonomine and gasped the essence of seeing essential nature, becoming a Buddha at once.

What could [Dogen] have brought [from China]?” He visited Dogen in order to find out. During the several days when they first talked, they thought that they saw things the same way and discussed the inconceivable knowledge of seeing essential nature. The master was overjoyed, thinking that his understanding was the same as Dogen’s and genuine, and he praised [Dogen] all the more.

After several days passed, Priest Dogen revealed an extremely different understanding. At that time the master was surprised and was about to raise an argument, but he realized that there was something beyond his own truth and quite different. Therefore, when he again aroused a determination to rely [on Dogen] and hear his teachings, Priest Dogen told him, “I transmit the teaching style of the patriarchs and intend to be the first to spread it in Japan. Though I could stay in this monastery [of Kennin-ji], I want to find another place and stay there. If I can find some place and build a hermitage, you should come there and see me. It is not good for you to be my student here.” The master obeyed [Dogen’s] decree and waited for the right time.

Priest Dogen built a hermitage near Gokuraku Monastery in Fukakusa and remained there alone. After two years passed without a single person visiting, the master arrived. This was in 1234. Priest Dogen was delighted and permitted him to have private instruction in his quarters. They discussed the Patriarchal Way day and night. After three years passed, the present case came up while the master was seeking instruction. That is, the case was, “A single thought-instant is the same as ten thousand years; a single hair pierces many holes. Passing this test is up to you. Surpassing the crowd is up to you.” Hearing this, the master was awakened.’ (Denko Roku)

We had a couple of conversations this week, first about Dogen’s first years back in Japan, and then about how he and Koun had practised together. This passage, from Keizan’s record, tells quite a bit.