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The Buddha’s essential functioning

By Eihei Dogen

Notes: A poem by Eihei Dogen Zenji, written approx. 1242, translated by Taizan Maezumi, Roshi and Neal Donner. It complements an earlier poem by Hongzhi Zhengjue [T’ien-t’ung Hung-chih ] (J.Tendo Wanshi). [Click here to read Hongzhi Zhengjue's poem].

The Buddha’s essential functioning,

the patriarchs’ functioning essence,

manifest without deliberation

and accomplishes without hindrance.

Manifesting without deliberation,

its manifestation is intimate of itself.

Accomplishing without hindrance,

its accomplishment is realized of itself.

Its manifestation, intimate of itself,

has never been defiled.

Its accomplishment, realised of itself,

is neither absolute nor relative.

The intimacy that is never defiled

drops away without dependence.

The realisation that is neither absolute nor relative penetrates without intent.

Clear water soaks into the earth; the fish swims like a fish.

The sky is vast and penetrates the heavens; the bird flies like a bird.

Source: The Ten Directions, Vol 2, No 2, June 1981. pp. 20