Eihei Dogen is renowned as one of the world’s most remarkable and influential names in Zen Buddhism.
Dogen instructed: If you must heed someone, you should heed those with clear eyes. —from Shobogenzo Zuimonki Dogen’s Shobogenzo Zuimonki offers straightforward and accessible teachings on some of the fundamental aspects of Buddhist practice in the Soto Zen school in Master Dogen’s own words as recorded by his Dharma successor, Koun Ejo. Distinct from Dogen’s magnum opus (
Shobogenzo),
Shobogenzo Zuimonki can be translated as “True Dharma Eye Treasury: Record of Things Heard” and contains both clear instructions with limited use of the allusion, word-play, and metaphor that characterize the essays that comprise
Shobogenzo. The present volume isa highly practical manual of Buddhist practice, essentially a primer of Soto Zen.
Dogen’s words express fundamental aspects of Buddhist practice in terms that are both concrete and straightforward in Japanese society in the thirteenth century. Among the many topics covered, Dogen especially emphasizes the following points: seeing impermanence, departing from the ego-centered self, being free from greed, giving up self-attachment, following the guidance of a true teacher, and the practice of
zazen, specifically
shikantaza, or “just sitting.”
This edition of
Shobogenzo Zuimonki contains a bilingual version of
Record of Things Heard with extensive notes which help to provide the reader with a new way of approaching the text. As bonus material, this edition also includes translations and commentary of Dogen’s luminously evocative
waka poetry, formerly published under the title
White Snow on Bright Leaves.
The clearest and most approachable teachings from Dogen, the most famous thinker and writer in Zen Buddhism.
Discover the teachings of the preeminent Zen Master Dogen in his own words, written down by his Dharma successor, Koun Ejo. This edition includes both the Shobogenzo Zuimonki and translations of and commentary on Dogen's luminously evocative waka poetry.
Distinct from Dogen's similarly titled magnum opus (simply called the Shobogenzo), the Shobogenzo Zuimonki can be read as a highly practical manual of Buddhist practice. Consisting of straightforward and accessible teachings and making more limited use of the allusion, wordplay, and metaphor that characterize the essays in the Shobogenzo, this work is an essential read for any student of Zen Buddhism. Among the many topics covered, Dogen especially emphasizes the following points: seeing impermanence, departing from the ego-centered self, being free from greed, giving up self-attachment, following the guidance of a true teacher, and the practice of zazen, specifically shikantaza, or "just sitting." Additionally, this translation of the Shobogenzo Zuimonki has extensive notes, which help to provide you with a new way of approaching the text.
The collection of waka poems included in this volume are a beautiful artistic expression of the Dharma. Rarely seen in this large of a collection or with commentary, this poetry offers unique insight into an important expression of Dogen's teachings.
By the spring wind
my words are blown and scattered
people may see them
the song of flowers
These teachings, which have informed teachers and practitioners alike throughout the centuries, will deepen your knowledge, understanding, and experience of the Soto Zen tradition.
