ABSTRACT
1 Dogen developed the mind for enlightenment 1 in his childhood. In his home country, he pursued the Way 2 under various teachers 3 and acquired some understanding of the origin of cause and effect. However, he had not yet realized the true goal of the Buddha, of the Dharma and of the Samgha. He stagnated aimlessly within the realm of names and forms. Later he went into the monastery of Master Yōsai and heard the teaching of the Rinzai School. 4 Then, accompanying Master Myōzen, he went to Sung China. Sailing many miles, entrusting his ephemeral existence to the roaring waves, he finally reached the Great Sung. He was granted enrollment in [the monastery of] Monk [Ju-ching]. 5 This was the blessing merited in a previous incarnation. The Monk [Ju-ching] was greatly compassionate and sympathetic. Even if he was untimely and not properly dressed, what this lowly man from a far-away foreign country wanted most was to visit the Abbot’s quarters frequently and ask questions, however audacious they might be.
