Archive for November 15th, 2006

enlightenment not brilliance

Wednesday, November 15th, 2006

Think of those who gained enlightenment upon hearing the sound of bamboo when struck by a tile or seeing blossoms in bloom.

Does the bamboo distinguish the clever or dull, the deluded or enlightened; does the flower differentiate between shallow and deep, the wise and stupid?

Though flowers bloom year after year, not everyone who sees them gains enlightenment.

Bamboo always gives off sounds, but not all who hear them become enlightened.

- Dogen 1200-1253