Dogen on Making a Diligent Effort

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Shii, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

“The Buddha said, “Monks, if you make diligent effort, nothing is too difficult.  That’s why you should do so.  It is like a thread of water piercing through a rock by constantly dripping.  If your mind continues to slacken, it is like taking a break from hitting stones before they spark; you can’t get fire that way. What I am speaking of is ‘diligent effort.’ “

— Dogen (1200-1253)