“As I study both the exoteric and the esoteric schools of Buddhism, they maintain that human beings are endowed with Dharma-nature by birth. If this is the case, why did the Buddhas of all ages — undoubtedly in possession of enlightenment — find it necessary to seek enlightenment and engage in spiritual practice?”

—  Dogen

As quoted in Eihei Dogen, Mystical Realist (2004) by Hee-jin Kim

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 3, 2021. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "As I study both the exoteric and the esoteric schools of Buddhism, they maintain that human beings are endowed with Dha…" by Dogen?
Dogen photo
Dogen 34
Japanese Zen buddhist teacher 1200–1253

Related quotes

Tenzin Gyatso photo

“According to Buddhism, individuals are masters of their own destiny. And all living beings are believed to possess the nature of the Primordial Buddha Samantabhadra, the potential or seed of enlightenment, within them. So our future is in our own hands. What greater free will do we need?”

Tenzin Gyatso (1935) spiritual leader of Tibet

Answering the question: "Do sentient beings have free will?" in Dzogchen : The Heart Essence of the Great Perfection (2001), p. 168, ISBN 155939157X.

Rajneesh photo
Reinhold Niebuhr photo

“Human beings are endowed by nature with both selfish and unselfish impulses.”

Reinhold Niebuhr (1892–1971) American protestant theologian

Source: (1932), p.25

Dilgo Khyentse photo
R. H. Tawney photo
Helena Roerich photo
Edith Wharton photo

Related topics