UJI Part Twenty-One | Uji’s Dawn

“This is why the morning star arose, the Tathagata emerged, his clear Eye of Wise Discernment manifested, and the raising of the udumbara flower came about. These are times: were they not times, there could not be any ‘being with It’ here and now.”

Dōgen's teaching continues to guide us into a more profound realization of uji. In this passage, he uses vivid examples from our Buddhist tradition—the morning star of the Buddha's enlightenment, the emergence of the Tathāgata, the manifestation of his clear Eye of Wise Discernment, and the raising of the Udumbara flower—to illustrate that these significant moments are not dead events sealed away in the past. Each completely manifests its own uji, making possible our own "being with It" here and now.

As we've encountered before, our existence is interwoven with time. The phrase "being with It" here and now underscores that we are this continuous unfolding of time. Just as these historical events are specific times, our actions, thoughts, and experiences are also uji.

When we delve into the profound statement from Dōgen's Genjōkōan: 'To study the self is to forget the self,' we begin to grasp the transformative power of letting go of our small self. In this act of surrender, we are 'activated by the myriad things,' experiencing a profound interconnectedness with all of existence.

Dōgen further teaches that "when actualized by myriad things, your body and mind as well as the bodies and minds of others drop away." This means that when we fully engage with each moment, we transcend our limited sense of self and others. We all become one with the flow of time and being, experiencing profound unity. This is the essence of living uji.

Our practice is not about seeking some distant enlightenment but about recognizing and embodying the wisdom in this moment. Every moment is an opportunity to "be with It"—to fully engage with the present-infinite and realize our true nature. The singular moment of the Way Seeking Mind encompasses the entire path of awakening with all beings.

We see that time is not a cruel taskmaster driving us on but our true being. This awareness transforms our lives, enabling us to engage fully with this moment, opening its Dharma Gate and harvesting the treasure within!