The concept of “being-time” (uji) in Dogen’s Shobogenzo offers a profound insight into the nature of existence and the fluidity of time. This philosophical exploration challenges our ordinary experience of time as a series of discrete moments, instead revealing how each moment is simultaneously being and time itself. Below, we explore 10 illuminating quotes from the Shobogenzo that address this fascinating and often mystifying theme, inviting us to reconsider how we perceive the present and our place within it.
The Essence of Being-Time
Dogen’s teachings encapsulate the essence of being-time as an inseparable unity. Time is not something separate from us; rather, our being and time arise simultaneously. This deep understanding invites us to awaken to the moment as it truly is—dynamic, flowing, and complete in itself.
Uji: Life and Time Intertwined
The Soto Zen tradition, deeply influenced by Dogen, teaches that each instant of life embodies the entirety of time. Recognizing this unity vividly alters our experience of existence, dissolving the divide between past, present, and future as discrete categories.
The Present Moment Is Eternal
One of the central messages in Dogen’s Shobogenzo is that the present moment is not fleeting but eternal. Each “now” contains whole worlds of meaning, and by truly living in the present, we participate directly in the endless flow of being-time.
Time as a Continuous Flow
Dogen’s insight reveals time as a continuous flow rather than a sequence of ticking seconds. This perspective encourages embracing change and impermanence, not as losses, but as expressions of the seamless unfolding of life.
The Heart of Time’s Teaching
At the heart of Shobogenzo lies a poetic approach to time and existence. This work offers a profound pathway to understanding not just how we move through time, but how time itself moves through us, shaping each moment of being with clarity and depth.
