DreamMaking

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The dharma wheel has been set to turn,
through the active power of buddhas going beyond buddhas.
The great merit needs no reward,
and becomes the guidepost for all ages.
Within a dream this is the dream you express.

Because awakening is within awakening,
the dream is expressed within a dream.
The place where the dream is expressed within a dream
is the land and the assembly of buddha ancestors.
Here, awakening throughout awakening
expresses the dream within the dream.

When you encounter such speech and expressions,
it is buddha turning the dharma wheel that encompasses
the ten directions, the eight facets of a clear crystal,
and the great oceans. This is the dream expressed
within a dream, prior to all dreams.

Every cystal-clear manifestation of the entire world is a dream;
this dream is none other than all things that are absolutely lucid.

One's doubt of this itself is a dream; life's confusion is a dream as well.
At this very moment, all things are a dream, are within a dream,
and expound [make] a dream. As we study things, roots and stalks,
branches and leaves, flowers and fruits, lights and colors, we see that
all are a great dream. Never mistake this for a dreamy state of mind.

Those who shun study of the Buddha-way while encountering
the expounding of a dream within a dream, absurdly think that
people miscontrue the things of dreams as real and thus pile up      
delusion on top of delusion.  This is not true. Even though it is said,
"One is further deluded amid delusion," you should correctly
construe it as saying,"One is further deluded beyond delusion."
In such understanding lies the path of progress in realization. 

To express the dream within dream is the ancient buddhas;
it is to ride in this treasure boat and directly arrive in the practice place.
Directly arriving in the practice place is riding in this treasure boat.

You should know that since entire being is present in all situations,
the guiding way of all buddhas is boundlessly transforming.
Do not search for the limits of dharma in the past or future,
since all things emerge and arrive right here.
One plants twining vines and gets entangled in twining vines.
This is the characteristic of unsurpassable enlightenment.

Just as expression is limitless, sentient beings are limitless and unsurpassable.
Just as cages and snares are limitless, emancipation from them is limitless.
Who could doubt that a dream is enlightenment, since enlightenment is beyond doubt?
Who could recognize this dream, since it is not related to recognition?
As unsurpassable enlightenment is unsurpassable enlightenment,
so the dream is called a dream."

Eihei Dogen 

—S, "Muchu Setsumu" (1242)

Dogen (1200-1252) (left)

2014, acrylic on paper, 

18 1/4" x 29 1/4"

by Richard Stodart