The two Buddha's (Dogen and Daido Roshi) did not IMV intend this literally but as an expression of intimacy with all things. From Dogen's perspective it may have been specifically from this perception of the interpenetration of all phenomena. It could also have been from a serious expression of Mind Only.Astus wrote:Dogen's explanation:
In “all living beings” spoken of here on the way of the buddha, those with minds are “all living beings”; for the mind is living beings. Those without minds are similarly living beings; for living beings are mind. Therefore, all minds are living beings, and living beings all “have the buddha nature.” The grasses, trees and lands are mind; because they are mind, they are living beings; because they are living beings, they “have the buddha nature.” The sun, moon, and stars are mind; because they are mind, they are living beings; because they are living beings, they “have the buddha nature.”
(SBGZ: Bussho)
Kirt