Question Seven (Cont.):

… Because practice is just [enlightenment], the [enlightenment]is endless; and because [enlightenment] is practice, the practice has nobeginning. This is how both the Tathagata Shakyamuni and the VenerablePatriarch Mahakasyapa were received and used by the practice that exists in thestate of [enlightenment]. The Great Master Bodhidharma and the foundingPatriarch Daikan were similarly pulled and driven by the practice that existsin the state of [enlightenment]. The examples of all those who dwelled in andmaintained the Buddha-Dharma are like this. The practice that is never separatefrom [enlightenment] exists already: having fortunately received the one-to-onetransmission of a share of the subtle practice, we who are beginners inpursuing the truth directly possess, in the state without intention, a share oforiginal [enlightenment]. Remember, in order to prevent us from tainting the [enlightenment]that is never separate from practice, the Buddhist patriarchs have repeatedlytaught us not to be lax in practice. When we forget the subtle practice,original [enlightenment] has filled our hands; when the body leaves original [enlightenment]behind, the subtle practice is operating throughout the body.

From: Bendowa – A Talk about Pursuing the Truth  – Nishijima-Cross [with some amendments according to Uchiyama]