“To carry the self forward and practice the myriad things is delusion;…” — Dōgen (Shōbōgenzō, Genjōkōan)

Source and attribution

The archive attributes this English wording to Shōbōgenzō, Genjōkōan and files it under Zen Buddhism. That locator distinguishes the passage from loose internet attributions: readers can return to the named work or section to check translation, surrounding argument, and edition-specific wording.

About Dōgen

Dōgen (1200–1253) was the Japanese founder of the Sōtō school of Zen after studying in Song China under Rujing. Returning to Japan, he established monastic communities culminating at Eiheiji.

How to read this passage

Across 4 recurring voices here (notably Epictetus and Augustine of Hippo), awakening is framed through Vedanta and Stoicism. Some passages define awakening; others warn how it fails; still others relocate it inside habit, community, or language. This passage enters that discussion through awakening, self.

Concepts in this quote

Awakening

Awakening appears in this archive as a live philosophical concern—not a slogan. These verified English passages show how thinkers treat awakening as a problem of judgment, practice, or explanation.

Self

Philosophy quotes about self explore identity, responsibility, and the examined life—from Socrates’ unexamined life to modern phenomenology and existential authenticity.

How to cite this quotation

APA: Dōgen. (n.d.). To carry the self forward and practice the myriad things is delusion; for the myriad things to come forth and practice the self is enlightenment. In Philosophy Blind Box. https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0467

MLA: Dōgen. “To carry the self forward and practice the….” Philosophy Blind Box, https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0467.

Chicago: Dōgen. “To carry the self forward and practice the….” Philosophy Blind Box. Accessed 2026. https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0467.

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