Zen Master Dogen: Back By Popular Demand

It's been over 90 degrees F in Columbia County, New York, for the past week. The air is really wet. The humidity index says that it feels like more than 100 degrees. And, of course, there's no relief expected for a few days. What better opportunity to contemplate Zen Master Dogen:

Mountains And Water Sutra

There are mountains hidden in treasures. There are mountains hidden in swamps. There are mountains hidden in the sky. There are mountains hidden in mountains. There are mountains hidden in hiddenness. This is complete understanding.

An ancient Buddha said, "Mountains are mountains, waters are waters." These words do not mean mountains are mountains; they mean mountains are mountains.

Therefore investigate mountains thoroughly. When you investigate mountains thoroughly this is the work of mountains.

Such mountains and water of themselves become wise persons and sages.

So today, I am doing the work of mountains. I stand like a mountain. I investigate the mountains. This does not mean that the mountains I am investigating are mountains, it means they are mountains.