“It is not the doing that is difficult, but rather the doing it well that is hard. The practice of leaving the world and gaining the Way attracts many people, but there are few who do it well. Birth and death are vital matters; the changes of transiency are swift. Don’t relax in your determination.”

— Dōgen, Shōbōgenzō

Escapism by Suplington

“Even by the standards of ordinary society, lack of propriety—such as changing your clothing improperly, even when you are where people cannot see you or are in a darkened room or sitting or lying indecently so that parts that should be hidden are exposed—is an insult to heaven and to ghosts. Hide what should be hidden, and be ashamed of what is shameful, just as if you were always in the presence of others. This reflects the intent of the precepts. Those versed in the Way must not make distinctions about whether they are inside a room or outside it, or whether it is light or dark, and do bad things just because they are out of sight of people who know the Buddhist regulations.”

— Dōgen, Shōbōgenzō
untitledPeter Kool

untitled
Peter Kool

wont stay long (rough) by Aftermidnight

(via a-peony-of-lucy)

likeafieldmouse:

Eva Stenram - Drape (2011)

“To hold our tongues when everyone is gossiping, to smile without hostility at people and institutions, to compensate for the shortage of love in the world with more love in small, private matters; to be more faithful in our work, to show greater patience, to forgo the cheap revenge obtainable from mockery and criticism: all these are things we can do.”

— Hermann Hesse

(via cargohoo)

The stars by KwAkE

whocaresaboutarchitecture: “The primary condition for being sincere is the same as for being humble: not to boast of it, and probably not even to be aware of it.” Henri Peyre (1901 – 1988) Bryan Schutmaat - Grays the Mountain Sends Series

whocaresaboutarchitecture:

“The primary condition for being sincere is the same as for being humble: not to boast of it, and probably not even to be aware of it.”

Henri Peyre (1901 – 1988)

Bryan Schutmaat - Grays the Mountain Sends Series

“In this country today, many students worry about the good and evil, and right and wrong, of their own speech and actions and wonder how others will react to what they see and hear. They are concerned about whether something they do will draw censure or bring praise now or in the future. This is a very bad state of affairs. What the world considers good is not necessarily good. It does not matter what other people think; let them, call you a madman. If you spend your life with your mind in harmony with Buddhism and do nothing to offend against it, the views of other people do not matter in the least.

To escape from the world means that one’s mind is not concerned with the opinions of the world. Just study and practice the actions of the Buddhas and the Patriarchs and the compassion of the Bodhisattvas, reflect on yourself as if heavenly deities were illuminating your faults, and act in accord with the Buddhist rules; then nothing will trouble you.

On the other hand, it is an error to blithely ignore what others consider bad and arbitrarily do evil things in complete disregard of the criticism of others. Without concerning yourself with what others think, act only in accordance with Buddhism. In Buddhism arbitrary actions and shameless conduct are forbidden.”

— Dōgen, Shōbōgenzō

Carlos Niño & Friends - Mezame (Awakening) featuring Miguel Atwood-Ferguson

“You do not deserve the respect of others unless you have true virtue within yourself. Because the people of Japan respect others for their outward appearance, without knowing the true inner virtues, students without the mind that seeks the Way fall into evil paths and become followers of demons. It is easy to be respected by others. One need merely give the impression of having forsaken the body and of being separated from the world by the external appearance one adopts. The true seeker of the Way harmonizes his mind and yet lives humbly like any other ordinary person in the world.

Therefore, an ancient sage has said “Inwardly empty yourself, and outwardly follow the world.” This means that you must rid yourself of inner attachments yet outwardly conform to the ways of the world. If you forget entirely your body and mind, enter into Buddhism, and practice according to the Buddhist teachings, you become good inwardly and outwardly both now and in the future.

Although Buddhism says to discard the body and abandon the world, it is wrong t cast aside things that should not be cast aside. In this country, among those who try to pass themselves off as Buddhists and seekers of the Way are some who say that, since they have forsaken their bodies, it does not matter what others think; and they act with unreasonable rudeness. Or else, saying that they are no longer attached to the world, they walk about heedlessly in the rain and get soaking wet. These actions serve no purpose either inwardly or outwardly, yet ordinary people have the impression that this type of person should be respected, because he seems to be detached from the world.”

— Dōgen, Shōbōgenzō

The Sorcerer by Flako