Dogen: 'A flower falls, even though we love it and a weed grows, even though we do not love it.'

A flower falls, even though we love it and a weed grows, even though we do not love it.

Dogen's quote, "A flower falls, even though we love it and a weed grows, even though we do not love it," encapsulates a profound truth about the nature of life and existence. On the surface, it highlights the inevitability of change and impermanence. Despite our fondness for a flower, it will eventually wilt and fall, just as a weed, which we may dislike, persists in growing. This serves as a reminder that our attachments and aversions are ultimately irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. Life will unfold as it does, irrespective of our preferences or desires.However, delving deeper into this quote opens up a realm of philosophical inquiry into the nature of beauty and value. What determines the worth of a flower over a weed? Is it solely our subjective perception and cultural conditioning that assign such designations? Perhaps the distinction between the two lies in their roles within the ecosystem - a flower attracting pollinators and contributing to biodiversity, while a weed may be considered invasive and detrimental to other plant species. This leads us to the thought-provoking concept of relativism in aesthetics and ethics.Relativism posits that values, such as beauty or goodness, are not absolute but are contingent upon contextual factors and individual perspectives. In the case of the flower and the weed, what we perceive as beauty or utility may vary depending on cultural, environmental, and personal considerations. The contrast between the ephemeral beauty of a flower and the resilience of a weed invites us to question our preconceived notions and biases regarding the natural world. It challenges us to reexamine our definitions of value and to appreciate the interconnectedness of all living beings.In contemplating Dogen's quote alongside the philosophical lens of relativism, we are compelled to confront the limitations of our human-centric views and embrace a more inclusive and compassionate worldview. Just as a flower and a weed coexist in the same garden, embodying different qualities and purposes, so too do all aspects of existence deserve recognition and respect. The dichotomy between love and disregard, beauty and ugliness, ultimately dissolves in the face of a broader understanding of interconnectedness and interdependence.In essence, Dogen's quote serves as a poignant reminder of the cyclical nature of life, where the boundaries between what we cherish and what we reject blur into a seamless tapestry of existence. Embracing this complexity and embracing the inherent impermanence of all things can lead us to a deeper appreciation of the diversity and harmony present in the world around us. Perhaps, in recognizing the intrinsic value of every flower and every weed, we can cultivate a more profound sense of gratitude and empathy toward all living beings.