Defining the prerequisite condition for transmission
Menju is the result of unseen communication of abilities. The abilities come first, then menju.
One light shared among gathered beings
What exists at that time is not those people, but just one light. If one of them recognizes it, the whole thing makes sense. If none of them recognize it, the whole thing is just complete darkness.
Paradox of meeting in both light and darkness simultaneously
Menju, even when there is great light, is meeting another in utter darkness, utter aloneness. Even if you see the complete perfection of all beings, it is still the same as utter darkness.
On the independence of Dharma from human existence
A difficulty is that if Dharma exists, it doesn't need man. Before earth is formed, during the formation of earth, after this earth is, maybe, broken or destroyed, Dharma is Dharma.
The fundamental question of existence and its self-answering nature
"Why am I here?" is the same question, whether it appears from a human body, or from some form in the universe which we haven't yet known. This question doesn't have any answer. Or, the answer comes before the question.
Describing how transmission happened before Dogen's bow was complete
Seeing each other happened faster than the following body reaction. We are actually living in such a world. The thunder master is too late, light comes before him.
Buddhism as the rare blooming of the udumbara
The udumbara flower is said to bloom once in 500 years. For the one who sees it, it is an eternal flower. In this sense, the existence of what is called "Buddhism" is in the blossom of this udumbara flower.
Dogen's images for the simultaneity of transmission
Dogen said, of menju, that when someone knocks on the door, the hostess is already holding the knob. When the hen is sitting on the egg, she knows when the time comes, so when the chick is knocking on the shell from inside, wiggling around, the mother knocks from the outside.
Gassho and zazen as two expressions of the same acceptance
Gassho, joining hands and bowing, is the other side of zazen. They are each a complete acceptance, not only of yourself, but of the whole thing. If acceptance is not done, you never do zazen or bowing.
Characterizing Rujing's fierce teaching style
Old master Rujing was famous. His nickname was Kaminari Oyaji, Thunder Dad! He had a very short temper and very quick response. If you were sleepy, he was like thunder hitting the gong.
Distinguishing menju from goal-oriented practice
Menju is completely different from practice and attainment. Practice and attainment are concerns of the human mind. Menju is concerned with the maintenance of being, the continuity of being.