According to Dogen Zenji, a part of it is not a perfect enough expression, because if we say “part of it,” the relationship between things is already ignored. If you say, “I am a member of our family,” the relationship between you and your brother is not expressed well. So Dogen said everyone is not a member of—everyone is family itself. Because if someone is missing, that is not a perfect family anymore. So, the relationship between our family members is more than a member. So, that is why I must say “everything has buddha-nature” is not a perfect expression of the teaching. —Excerpt from Shunryu Suzuki lecture - 67-12-06-B - as found on shunryusuzuki.com edited by PF. Go to instagram.com/cuke_archives for Shunryu Suzuki lecture excerpts - with a photo.
