UJI Part Four | The Earth in its Entirety as UJI
“Because of this very principle of the way things are, the earth in its entirety has myriad forms and hundreds of things sprouting up, each sprout and each form being a whole earth—a point which you should incorporate into your study of the Way, for the recognition of the coming and going of things in this manner is a first step in training and practice. When you reach such a fertile field of seeing the way things really are, then the earth in its entirety will be ‘one whole sprouting, one whole form’; it will be comprised of forms that you recognize and forms that you do not, sproutings that you recognize and sproutings that you do not. It is the same as the times we refer to in ‘from time to time’, which contain all forms of existence and all worlds. So take a moment to look around and consider whether there is any form of being, that is, any ‘world’, that does or does not find expression at this very moment of time.”
When we awaken, we awaken to the profound insight that every form and every moment is a complete expression of all that is. The entire earth manifests through myriad forms and sproutings, each embodying the vast dharmakaya.
This is foundational to our practice: When we recognize that each sprout, form, and moment is a manifestation of the entire earth, we realize the abundance of our cosmic inheritance. Nothing exists in isolation; every part of our experience completely manifests the whole. We can look beyond the superficial distinctions we make and embrace the richness of uji.
Moreover, this insight into the interconnectedness of all forms and moments aligns with the principle of impermanence. Just as each moment arises and passes away, each form and sprouting is transient and constantly changing. Yet, in this continual flux, each one still embodies the totality of existence. This understanding not only helps us appreciate the beauty and significance of uji but also opens us to the wonder of the ever-changing and harmonious dance of existence.
Dōgen also reminds us that the whole earth is comprised of forms we recognize and forms we do not, sproutings we recognize and sproutings we do not. Our experience is never limited to what we can identify, explain, or bring within the reach of our understanding. We have a tendency to mistake the world we recognize for the whole world, but uji does not depend upon our recognition. What we know and what we do not know, what we see and what remains unseen, are all present within this complete expression. This is another reason to remain open in our practice. The moment is always more abundant than the story we have made about it.
As we reflect on this teaching, we should consider how it applies to our lives. In our training and practice, recognizing the coming and going of things is crucial. Each experience, each interaction, and each thought is a manifestation of the whole. This awareness allows us to engage with life more fully, responding to each moment with wisdom and compassion. By recognizing this, we can begin to live uji. This is the heart of our practice and the essence of the teaching of Uji.
