Question
When Dogen asks the tenzo at Nyojo’s temple, “What is the meaning of the written word? How should we read the sutras?” the old monk answers, “1, 2, 3, 4, 5.” Does that mean he counts breaths while reading the sutras? Can we read while engaging the mind in following and counting breaths, read the sutras without letting the mind get carried away: keep it focused, separate the mind in everything?
Anonymous
Answer from Master Kosen
The meaning of the written word is free of emotion. The word itself contains all its meaning and energy, its power and effectiveness. It was created by the mind itself and needs no interpretation or personal feeling, which would immediately destroy its magical function.
Numbers are words too, but they have the special quality of being abstract while perfectly precise. And they do not stir up our human feelings.
1 2 3 4 5 was certainly the best explanation.
As for counting breaths, that is some free-market bullshit, this obsession with counting everything.
Work more to earn more, and count to forget. What a fine program.
God picks up a handful of earth and breathes on it to give it life; thus humanity was born of breath.
We breathe to give life to words, and wonderful realities manifest.
Kosen