Zen words: “我逢人” Ga Hou Jin

Encounter: 出会い

“我” is I, “逢” meet, and “人” the person. “I meet the person.” This is the word by Dogen who is the originator of Soto-shu.

He went to China to find a real teacher and met with Nyojo Zen master. “I can finally meet the man.” Dogen, who pursued the way seriously and took a step forward, was destined to meet his real teacher and gain enlightenment.

It means that if you really ask, you can meet real one you need.

We experience various encounters every day, from big meetings that change our lives to small seeing that just pass each other on the road. It seems to me that even a small encounter has its place. A small conversation at a cash register in a supermarket, a momentary exchange of smiles, and such a small encounter makes me aware of happiness in my heart.

Every day, every moment and every encounter are treasures.

「我、人と逢うなり」曹洞宗の開祖道元が、本物の師を見つけなければと中国に渡り、如浄禅師と出会った時の言葉です。

道を追い求めて、本気で一歩踏み出した道元は、運命的に師と出会い、悟りを開くことができました。

「人」とは本物という意味で、本気で求めれば本物に出会うことができるということです。

人生を変えてしまうような大きな出会いから、道ですれ違うだけのような小さな出会いまで、様々な出会いを私たちは日々経験しています。私には、小さな出会いでさえ意味があるように思えます。スーパーのレジでのささやかなやりとり、一瞬の笑顔の交換、そんな小さな出会いが心の幸福に気づかせてくれます。

毎日、この一瞬が愛おしい。