This paper attempts to clarify Dōgen’s 道元 definition of the phrase sesshin sesshō 説心説性, or “discoursing on mind, discoursing on nature.” Dōgen treats this phrase as a fundamental Buddhist concept in the “Sesshin sesshō” fascicle of the Shōbōgenzō 正法眼蔵. However, he then negates this phrase as a misunderstanding of Buddhist thought in the “Sansuikyō” 山水経 fascicle.
In analyzing Dōgen’s works, there are two ways he interprets this phrase. In the first, Dōgen adopts it in order to construct a fundamental understanding of Zen thought. Comparing with its usage in the Biyan lu 碧巌録 (Blue cliff record), this interpretation would be based on the wenzi Chan 文字禅 (“character Zen”) of Song China. After understanding this, he advocates not dwelling on this phrase by negating it.
In the second interpretation, Dōgen emphasizes the importance of religious practice for activating Buddha-hood by giving a broad interpretation of the “discoursing” (setsu 説) of this phrase as not merely “speaking,” but as representing the entire range of activity. This latter interpretation corresponds to Dōgen’s fundamental thinking.
The above thus explain variations in the interpretation of this phrase across Dōgen’s usage.
