During a summer retreat Sensei Mark Unno gave me a question to ponder. “Who am I?” “What is my role as a dharma teacher in light of the Primal Vow of Life itself?” This was my answer and koan to him.

 

Sentient beings are numberless, I vow to save them all;
Greed, hatred, and ignorance rise endlessly, I vow to end them all;
Dharmas are boundless, I vow to learn them all;
The Buddha's way is unsurpassable, I vow to embody it.

 

Who is the "I" that says the vow?

Namu-Amida-Butsu