Bussho and an earthworm cut into two

Master Dogen's chapter Bussho (The Buddha-nature) (Nishijima/Cross transl. Vol 2) is truly wonderful chapter about one of the main concepts in Buddhism. Master Dogen's idea about buddha-nature is that we have buddha-nature and we have a way to realize it and it can be only be realized through diligent practice, through diligent practice of wholehearted zazen which means skillful daily life with trying to do one's best to help oneself and others. This is realistic attitude towards Buddhism and zazen and daily life. We can only live in this present moment through direct experience whether it is brushing teeth or eating ice cream. And we can only realize buddha-nature through experience and it can't be realized through intellectual efforts. We need intellectual efforts and intelligence can help us for realizing it but words are not the same as direct experience in this present moment.

There's a wonderful classic story in Bussho about all this:

In the order of Master Chosha Keishin, government official Jiku asks, "An earthworm has been cut into two, and the two parts are both moving. I wonder in which part is the buddha-nature."

The master says, "Do not be deluded."

The official says, "What should we make of their moving?"

The master says, "It is only that wind and fire have not dissipated."

Yes, trying to understand in which part of sliced worm is buddha-nature, is being deluded. Or do you think you can say that reality is in here but it isn't there? Official is trying to understand buddha-nature through his intelligence and it's impossible according to master Dogen. Master Keishin can only say to official "It is only that wind and fire have not dissipated."

What would you answer to official's questions?

Photo by Shenghung Lin