A fish swims on and never finds the water's edge.

What it means

Fish never reach the end of the water, and birds never reach the end of the sky, yet they never leave them. Life is not a space you finish crossing; it is the element you move in. Swim fully where you are.

The source

"A fish swims on and never finds the water's edge." Dogen said it in Shōbōgenzō, Genjōkōan. Translated from the original Japanese by Spartan Surfers.

"魚、水を行くに、ゆけども水のきはなく、鳥、そらをとぶに、とぶといへどもそらのきはなし。"

Original Japanese, Shōbōgenzō, Genjōkōan. Text read at sotozen.com.

Who said it

The Zen masters (6th–13th century). Bodhidharma, Huineng, Linji, Zhaozhou, Yunmen, Wumen and Dogen: the Chan and Zen teachers whose sayings, koans and records shaped the school of sudden awakening. Our lines are translated from the Chinese and Japanese originals.

Questions

What does "A fish swims on and never finds the water's edge." mean?

Fish never reach the end of the water, and birds never reach the end of the sky, yet they never leave them. Life is not a space you finish crossing; it is the element you move in. Swim fully where you are.

Who said "A fish swims on and never finds the water's edge."?

Dogen (6th–13th century). Source: Shōbōgenzō, Genjōkōan.

What is the original Japanese?

魚、水を行くに、ゆけども水のきはなく、鳥、そらをとぶに、とぶといへどもそらのきはなし。. Translated from the original Japanese by Spartan Surfers.

Is "A fish swims on and never finds the water's edge." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"A fish swims on and never finds the water's edge." (Dogen, Shōbōgenzō, Genjōkōan, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/a-fish-swims-on-and-never-finds-the