Dogen on Evil

[will]

It is not that there are no evils: it is only that there are things that one should not do. It is not that there are evils: it is only that there are things that one should not do. It is not that evils are lacking in form: it is simply that they are things not to be done. It is not that evils have some particular form: simply they are things not to be done. Evils are not ‘things that one should not do’: they are simply things one does not do.

Shasta Abbey Shobogenzo translation (Shoaku Makusa)

[Charles]

Hi Will,

I'm glad you posted this today. I just finished reading that section of Shobogenzo a couple hours ago, but in the Nishijima/Cross translation. The contrast with the translation you posted helps me understand it a little better (I think!). Here's how the translation I'm reading has it:

It is not that wrongs do not exist; they are nothing other than not committing. It is not that wrongs exist; they are nothing other than not committing. Wrongs are not immaterial; they are not committing. Wrongs are not material; they are not committing. Wrongs are not "not committing;" they are nothing other than not committing.

Interesting differences. I wish I knew Japanese

--Charles

[will]

Thanks for posting that Charles. I haven't actually had a chance to read the Nishijima/Cross translation.

I haven't even read the Shobogenzo only parts.

Gassho

[will]

I like the part about the three year old child and Rakuten.

G,W

[Stephanie]

Dogen cracks me up sometimes.

[Charles]

I haven't read the whole thing either. I'm trying to read one chapter a day, or two chapters when they're short ones. It's very different from anything else I've ever read, which makes it both interesting and frustrating. When I hit sections that I really can't make heads or tails of, I try not to sweat it and just keep going; I figure that I can always go back over things later when I have more context. Since many of the footnotes in the earlier chapters reference stuff in later chapters, I figure this is a good strategy.

I can't really say what I think about this particular translation, because I don't have anything to compare it to yet My one gripe about the format of this edition is the lack of an index. This edition is in four volumes, and I only have the first one so far. It's possible the index is bundled in with the fourth. I hope so.

I also like that part -- it makes me envious of the three-year-old!

--Charles

[Fuken]

I'm trying to read one chapter a day, or two chapters when they're short ones.
--Charles

I went for about one chapter a week. one a month if it was not a short one. I would like to encourage you to take your time. I do not think it is a race.

Gassho, and take care,
Jordan

[Charles]

I went for about one chapter a week. one a month if it was not a short one. I would like to encourage you to take your time. I do not think it is a race.

Gassho, and take care,
Jordan

Hi Jordan,

Thank you for the advice. I don't feel like I'm racing -- just reading at the pace that comes naturally -- but I will give this some thought. I have trouble if I don't read a chapter in one sitting, because I lose my train of thought when I come back to reading after taking a break, and I have to start over from the beginning. But maybe I should just do that for a while.

--Charles

[agata]

I just got the 1. Volume of Shobogenzo in English. I am not sure it has been translated to Polish, only some fragments, as far as I know. It is not an easy read, but I take your advice and read it slowly, digesting one chapter a week.

I like the fragment that Will posted.

Gassho,
Agata

[Fuken]

Enjoy!

Gassho,Jordan

[Fuken]

Enjoy!

Gassho, Jordan

[Fuken]

Enjoy!

Gassho,
Jordan

[Fuken]

Enjoy!

Gassho,
Jordan

[Fuken]

Enjoy!

Gassho,
Jordan

A quadruple post! how cool is that!

WOOT

[will]