'Enlightenment by Dōgen', Canvas

'Enlightenment by Dōgen', Canvas

£72.57

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“There is no beginning to practice nor end to enlightenment; There is no beginning to enlightenment nor end to practice.”

— Dōgen

This is a wonderfully paradoxical and insightful statement. Its beauty lies in how it dissolves the linear perception of spiritual growth and understanding.

The first part, "There is no beginning to practice nor end to enlightenment," suggests that the journey of cultivation and awakening is an ongoing, cyclical process. We are always learning, refining, and growing, and the state of "enlightenment" isn't a fixed destination but rather a continuous unfolding or a way of being that deepens over time. Practice itself isn't something we start at a specific point and then abandon upon reaching a goal; it's an integral part of the journey.

The second part, "There is no beginning to enlightenment nor end to practice," flips the perspective and reinforces the interconnectedness. Even in moments of profound insight or clarity, the need for continued practice doesn't cease. In fact, those moments of awakening can often fuel a deeper commitment to practice, providing a clearer understanding of its value and potential. Enlightenment, in this sense, might even be seen as the very inspiration for ongoing practice.

This timeless wisdom reminds us that spiritual growth is not a linear progression from point A to point B, but rather a continuous dance between effort and understanding, practice and insight. They nourish and inform each other in an endless cycle.

'Enlightenment by Dōgen', Canvas

'Enlightenment by Dōgen', Canvas

“There is no beginning to practice nor end to enlightenment; There is no beginning to enlightenment nor end to practice.”

— Dōgen

'Enlightenment by Dōgen', Canvas

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