The Essential Dharma Gate

Case 106 of Dogen's Mana Shobogenzo (August 18, 2026; Koun Franz): Chongxin of Mount Longtan was making rice cakes for a living. When he met Tianhuang, he bowed and left his household. Tianhuang said, “Be my attendant. From now on I will teach you the essential dharma gate.” After one year passed, Longtan said, “When I arrived, you said that you would teach me the essential dharma gate. I haven’t received any of your instruction yet.” Tianhuang said, “I have been teaching you for a long time.” Longtan said, “What have you been teaching me?” Tianhuang said, “When you greet me, I join my palms. When I sit, you stand beside me. When you bring tea, I receive it from you.” Longtan was silent for a while. Tianhuang said, “When you see it, you just see it. When you think about it, you miss it.” Longtan then had great enlightenment. —from The True Dharma Eye: Zen Master Dogen’s Three Hundred Koans, by John Daido Loori and Kazuaki Tanahashi You can support Thousand Harbours Zen and learn more about our practice by visiting thousandharbourszen.com; talks are also available on the Thousand Harbours Zen podcast. Post-production by Togan Rivera.