Talk with Dogen

Dogen Zenji (1200-1253) was a Japanese Buddhist priest, writer, poet, philosopher, and founder of the Soto school of Zen in Japan. Originally born as Dogen Kigen, he is one of the most significant Zen masters in history. Dogen is particularly appreciated for his profound teachings and writings on Buddhism, emphasizing the importance of meditation, or "zazen," and the idea that practice and realization are not separate.

Dogen became a monk in his early years and later traveled to China to study Chan Buddhism, seeking deeper understanding. He returned to Japan bringing with him the Soto Zen teachings, which he adapted for the Japanese context. His emphasis was on the direct practice of zazen, sitting meditation, as a means to attain enlightenment.

His major work, "Shobogenzo" (Treasury of the True Dharma Eye), is a collection of essays written throughout his life, containing his complex understanding of Buddhism with insights into myriad aspects of Buddhist thought and practice. This text remains critical in Zen teachings both in Japan and around the world.

Dogen's teachings emphasize shikantaza, "just sitting," which is a form of meditation without any object, mantra, or specific content, but rather, the serene practice of being entirely present and letting go of all dualistic distinctions between mind and body, self and environment. Through his teachings, Dogen has had a lasting impact on Zen Buddhism and continues to influence contemporary spiritual practices and philosophies not only in Japan but globally.

Certainly, Dogen's perspective on the impermanence of life is central to his teachings and deeply rooted in the Buddhist understanding of existence. In Buddhist philosophy, impermanence (anicca in Pali, anitya in Sanskrit) is one of the three marks of existence, the others being suffering (dukkha) and non-self (anatta). Dogen, a 13th-century Japanese Buddhist monk and founder of the Soto Zen school, elaborated on this concept through his extensive literary work and teachings.

Dogen saw impermanence not as a negative aspect of existence but as a fundamental nature of all phenomena. One of his key writings on this topic can be found in the "Shobogenzo" ("Treasury of the True Dharma Eye"), where he discusses time, existence, and impermanence in a profound and often poetic manner. In "Uji" (Being-Time), a fascicle of the "Shobogenzo", Dogen expounds on the concept that time and being are interpenetrated, emphasizing that each moment is all-inclusive and expresses the entire universe. Thus, each fleeting moment is a manifestation of all reality, fully complete yet intrinsically impermanent.

Dogen encouraged the embracing of impermanence, teaching that awareness and acceptance of the transient nature of life can lead to a deeper appreciation of each moment and a more sincere and earnest way of living. This awareness also aligns with the practice of Zen meditation (zazen), through which one can experience the impermanent and interdependent nature of existence directly.

Hence, from Dogen's perspective, the impermanence of life is not a cause for despair, but a doorway to insight and enlightenment, urging us to live more fully, attentively, and compassionately in the ever-present "now."

Dogen, the founder of the Soto school of Zen Buddhism in Japan, has a distinctive philosophical approach that sets him apart from other Zen teachers. Several key elements highlight his unique perspective:

1. Emphasis on Just Sitting (Shikantaza): Unlike other schools of Zen, which may use koans (paradoxical anecdotes or questions for meditation) as a practice, Dogen emphasized the practice of "just sitting" or Shikantaza. This form of meditation is characterized by sitting without any deliberate thought, the pursuit of enlightenment, or the use of koans. Dogen viewed this form of meditation not as a means to an end but as the expression of enlightenment itself.

2. Oneness of Practice and Enlightenment: One of the most profound aspects of Dogen's teachings is the non-duality between practice and enlightenment. In the text "Genjokoan," Dogen explains that practice is not a means to achieve enlightenment; rather, practice is enlightenment itself. This idea contrasts with other views that regard practice as a stepwise approach to achieving an enlightened state.

3. Time and Being: Dogen had a unique conception of time and being. He discusses this in his work "Uji" (Being-Time). Dogen suggests that time does not pass; instead, each moment is an expression of existence and time itself. Each moment is entirely new and complete in itself, which underscores the impermanence and constant change characterized in Buddhist thought.

4. The Primacy of the Everyday: Dogen’s teachings deeply emphasize everyday activities as a form of spiritual practice. He believed that routine activities like cooking, cleaning, and eating are not separate from the path to enlightenment. In his instructions meticulously detailed in "Tenzo Kyokun" (Instructions for the Cook), he highlights the practice of mindfulness and the presence of the sacred in ordinary tasks.

5. Language and Dharma: Dogen used language in transformational ways to express his teachings. His style is often paradoxical, poetic, and challenging. He believed that language itself could express the Dharma (teachings of the Buddha) and that understanding could unfold in layers through the contemplation of his texts, which are often intentionally complex.

These facets of Dogen’s teachings fundamentally distinguish him from other Zen teachers and contribute richly to the broader tapestry of Buddhist philosophy. His emphasis on immediate, present-moment life as the location of enlightenment offers a profound and radical perspective within Buddhist thought.

Dogen’s concept of "just sitting," or "shikantaza," is a central practice in the Soto Zen tradition, which he founded in Japan. Dogen emphasized that shikantaza is not merely a means to an end but is the direct expression of enlightenment itself. In this form of meditation, practitioners are instructed to sit with no goal or object of meditation in mind—neither striving for enlightenment nor attempting to escape from delusion.

For Dogen, "just sitting" means sitting in a posture that reflects the inherent Buddha nature. It is an active expression of this realization, not passively waiting for enlightenment to occur. The practitioner is fully engaged in the act of sitting, fully present in the moment, allowing thoughts and sensations to arise and pass without attachment or aversion.

In "just sitting," the dualities of thinking/non-thinking, enlightenment/delusion, and Buddha/mortal are transcended. The practice itself embodies non-duality, fully expressing one's original enlightenment. According to Dogen, when one sits in this way, one is Buddha, and there is no separation between practice and realization.

This practice is profoundly subtle and often challenging, as it requires letting go of all gaining ideas and simply being present with what "is." This simplicity is what makes shikantaza both a deeply profound practice and a direct path to realizing one's Buddha nature according to Dogen’s teachings.

The "Shobogenzo" is a profound and seminal text in the school of Zen Buddhism, authored by the Japanese philosopher and monk Eihei Dogen. Dogen founded the Soto school of Zen after his return from China in the early 13th century, and his teachings emphasize the practice of zazen (sitting meditation) and the realization of one's Buddha-nature in everyday activities.

The "Shobogenzo," which translates to "Treasury of the True Dharma Eye," is a collection of Dogen's essays, talks, and written instructions composed throughout his life, specifically from 1231 to his death in 1253. This substantial work consists of 95 fasicles (chapters), and it articulates Dogen's insights into the nature of reality, time, consciousness, and enlightenment. It's recognized not only for its deep spiritual insights but also for its intricate philosophical arguments and its lyrical style.

The significance of the "Shobogenzo" in Dogen's teachings is multifaceted:

1. Philosophical Depth: Dogen explores topics like impermanence, causality, and the nature of being and non-being with rigorous philosophical depth. These explorations are fundamental to understanding the Buddhist view of the world and our place within it.

2. Practice and Enlightenment: In the "Shobogenzo," Dogen frequently addresses the relationship between practice (particularly zazen) and enlightenment, suggesting that practice itself is the manifestation of enlightenment. This perspective was somewhat revolutionary, emphasizing the unity of practice and enlightenment as opposed to seeing enlightenment as a distant goal only achievable after extensive practice.

3. Everyday Life: Dogen also discusses how enlightenment and Buddhist practice are reflected in everyday actions and ordinary life. His teachings in the "Shobogenzo" often revolve around finding the sacred in the mundane and recognizing the interpenetration of the sacred and the profane.

4. Language and Expression: Dogen uses language in innovative ways in the "Shobogenzo", often turning conventional readings on their heads to startle the reader into new insights. His use of paradox, poetry, and complex metaphors serves not just as philosophical argument but as a skillful means to transmit his insight.

5. Impact on Soto Zen: "Shobogenzo" forms the doctrinal backbone of the Soto school of Zen. It is a primary source of Dogen’s thought and has remained influential in the training and study for Soto Zen monks and lay practitioners.

The text challenges easy interpretation and demands a deep engagement with its contents, making it a living document that continues to inspire and provoke serious Zen practice and philosophical inquiry. Its richness ensures that it remains a central work in the study of Zen Buddhism and Japanese philosophical thought.

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