Because earth, grass, trees, walls, tiles, and pebbles in the world of phenomena in the ten directions all engage in buddha activity, those who recei… - Dōgen

Dogen’s teaching: We practice because we do not yet know who or what we are. But as a result of many causes, including the suffering we experience and the longing engendered by that suffering, we aspire to know. That aspiration leads many people to begin the practice of zazen. Dogen expressed this beautifully when he said, “Wisdom is seeking wisdom.” Perhaps we might paraphrase and say that wholeness is seeking wholeness, self is seeking self.

Know that to give to yourself is a part of giving.

Uchiyama Rōshi subtitled his interpretive translation and commentary of this important work Finsei Ryōri no Hon, or How to Cook Your Life. The word ryōri, the meaning of which to be sure includes the cooking and preparation of food, also has broader connotations. Ryōri may also be used in the sense of conducting or handling one’s affairs. The implication of this title is that the author tells us how we should go about conducting our lives and treating everything