12 - Reading the Record of Eihei Dogen by Ryokan

For five hundred years it’s been covered with dust
just because no one has had an eye for recognizing dharma.

11 - Reading the Record of Eihei Dogen by Ryokan

Nobody has asked whether it is a jewel or a pebble.

10 - Reading the Record of Eihei Dogen by Ryokan

Now when I take the Record of Eihei Dogen and examine it,
the tone does not harmonize well with usual beliefs.

9 - Reading the Record of Eihei Dogen by Ryokan

Inside this teaching, other’s never any shortcoming.
Thus I thoroughly studied the master of all things.

8 - Reading the Record of Eihei Dogen by Ryokan

Everywhere I went I devotedly practiced the true dharma eye.
Arriving at the depths and arriving at the vehicle—how many times?

7 - Reading the Record of Eihei Dogen by Ryokan

I keenly felt that until then I had depended merely on my own ability.
After that I left my teacher and wandered all over.
Between Dogen and myself what relationship is there?

6 - Reading the Record of Eihei Dogen by Ryokan

At that time there was an occasion to turn myself around,
so I requested permission to read it, and studied it intimately.

5 - Reading the Record of Eihei Dogen by Ryokan

I remember the old days when I lived in Entsu Monastery
and my late teacher lectured on the True Dharma Eye.