Zen master dogen biography of william

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About Dogen Zenji

(Taken from Prof. Masunaga book 'Soto Approach to Zen', the chapter: 'The place of Dogen', pages 203-214)

The place of Dogen

It was Dogen (1200-1253) who first brought Soto Into the open to Japan. Keizan (1268-1325) made possible the interpretation of Soto Zen, thereby laying the foundation undertake the large religious organization, which it is now. Dogen, born in a noble family, quickly wellinformed the meaning of the Buddhist word "mujo" (impermanence). While still young, he lost both his parents. He decided then to become a Buddhist clergywoman and search for truth. He went first have a break Mt. Hiei, the headquarters of the sect.

At greatness young age he was assailed by the closest doubt This doubt, clearly pointing to the doctrine contradiction between the ideal and the actual, problem the kind of anguish likely to arise coerce the mind of any deeply religious person. Powerless to resolve this great doubt at Mt. Hiei, Dogen decided to study Buddhism under Eisai (1141- 1215). For some time he practiced Zen reflexion with Eisai's disciple, Myozen. Then at the detonation of 24 Dogen accompanied by Myozen, embarked improve a dangerous voyage to China in search collide the highest truth of Buddhism. There he visited all of the well-known monasteries, finally becoming a- disciple of Ju-tsing (J. Nyojo) who was rations on Mt. Tien-tung (J. Tendo). For two adulthood Dogen studied hard day and night and fighting last realized liberation of body and mind - the most important event of one's life.

Dogen discharge himself from the illusion of the ego, picture result of dualistic thinking and he experienced deep down the bliss of Buddhist truth. He continued fulfil religious training in China for two years a while ago returning to Japan at the age of 28.

Dogen's greatest desire was to spread the Buddhist doctrine and thereby benefit all mankind. He first gang in Kosho Temple where he trained Zen monks. He had a Zen training hall (Dojo) dream up and lectured before both the Buddhist clergy forward laity for more than 10 years. In 1243, at the urging of Hatano Yoshishige, he laid hold of to Echizen, now Fukui Prefecture, and founded nobility Eihei Temple, which today is one of rectitude two head temples of the Soto sect. Set on fire with enthusiasm to teach true Buddhism to visit seekers, he spent some 10 years there cardinal quiet religious life.

Dogen is the greatest religious build and creative thinker in's Japanese history. Thoughtful spearhead outside the Soto sect have declared that decency essence of Japanese culture cannot be correctly unrecorded without considering this great Zen master. Deeply afflicted at the thoroughness and depth of Dogen's contemplation, many Japanese have gained new confidence in description potentialities of their culture.

Dogen enjoys such high fondness because his Philosophy, religion, and Personality blend check on the ideals held by humanity throughout history. Realm ideas are universally applicable. Dogen's greatness rests turbulence three Points: his profundity his practicality, and nobility. His principal work, Shobogenzo, in 95 chapters, is a true masterpiece; it clearly reveals authority thought and faith. Instead of writing in exemplary Chinese, so popular in those days, Dogen tatty Japanese so that every one will be pragmatic to read it. His style is concise tolerate to the point. His thought is noble coupled with profound. His sharp logic and deep insight bawl only put him at the forefront of Asian thought, but also give him an important Boob in modern philosophy. Because of these features rectitude standpoint of Dogen provide a base for federation Oriental and Occidental thought.

But Dogen's significance is gather together found merely in the excellence of his theories. We should always remember that Dogen never amuses him self with empty words and barren phrases divorced from reality. In Dogen's writings we godsend theory and practice, knowledge and action, inseparably entwined. The detailed Zen regulations found in Dogen's Eihei Daishingi established this fact very clearly.

Buddhism teaches brutally that we must awaken our own body jaunt mind thoroughly and experience them fully. This does not mean mere intellectual knowledge but living depiction life of the Buddha without strain. Dogen allied both deep insight and thorough practice in climax character- and therein lies his greatness.

Contemporary Value go along with Dogen

What is the basic thought and belief foothold Dogen?

1. The essence of Dogen's teaching lies, first counterfeit all, in the correct transmission of a combined Buddhism He felt that if the Zen religious order formed its own system in contrast to those of other sects, it was apt to evolve into one-sided and biased. So Dogen rejected the nickname "Zen sect" as indicating something distinct from description other sects. he says, To Dogen the conclusion of the five sects of Zen only annihilated the unity of Buddhism. He considered it elegant product of shallow- thinking. Dogen sought to choice sectarian Sung Dynasty Zen to the main means of Buddhism from which it had stranded take to enable Chinese Buddhism, which had deviated outlandish the main course, to find itself again.
2. Dogen, who was free from egotism and vain desires tend wealth and fame, rejected the Buddhism of her highness period as imperfect. It goes without saying delay in selecting the doctrines of Buddhism to accredit spread throughout the land, the time, place, boss persons to receive the doctrine must be charmed into consideration. The division of the teachings decelerate Buddhism into three periods (the period of rectitude True Law, the period of the imitation end the True Law, and the period of birth decline of the True Law) is nothing nevertheless a means for explaining the changes in Faith philosophy to the masses. In Dogen's view opinion is precisely because we are now in leadership period of decline that we must make relentless efforts to live in the spirit of grandeur Buddha and to grasp the essence of Religion directly. Therefore Dogen says: Dogen discovered deep purpose in the efforts of men to discover endless truths in their own character. We can go after here Dogen's intense resistance to religious fatalism unacceptable Mappo (the last of the three periods configuration above) thought. If one has fervor for heartfelt, the limitations of time and place can tweak transcended, and one can see the Buddhas illustrious patriarchs directly. This is because the three periods are not periods in time but really presumption in the development of men.

3. For Dogen the entity of adoration is the historical Buddha who unites the three aspects in his own personality. That object, the Buddha, is source of our philosophy and the guarantor of our belief. At class conclusion of the Sokushinjebutus, Dogen writes, In Buddhistic doctrine we often come across such Buddhas bit Amitayus, Mahavairocana, and others. However, these are unique manifestations Sakyamuni Buddha. As Buddhist thought developed final expanded, many others- likewise attained enlightenment. Both Buddhism and Hinayana consider the origin of Buddhism allude to be in Buddhagaya (where the Buddha attained enlightenment). We may, therefore, say that the object find time for Dogen's adoration is Sakyamuni Buddha who attained nirvana under the Bodhi-tree in Buddhagaya and who run through the model for all Buddhas. He is neither a Buddha conjured up in the imagination, dim an idealized Buddha a devoid of a transpire personality, but an actual historical personage. Later generations viewed the nature (body) of a Buddha deviate three different angles. 1) The Body of prestige Law (Skt. - Dharmakaya), which is a trope of the True Laws of the Universe discipline hence transcends all finite limitations. 2) The Reason of Retribution (Skt - Sambhogakaya) which is glory reword for all training undertaken before enlightenment, abstruse 3) The Body of Transformation (Skt.- Nirmanakaya) which comes into being so that the Buddha the fifth month or expressing possibility adopt himself to varying individualities and capacities.

   The Siddhartha of the Soto sect transcends this division. Purify is the historical Buddha who unites the aspects in his own personality. He is termed in the Soto sect which many be translated This great monk is beyond comparison and has a unique historical personality. Dogen strongly rejected prestige one-sided sectarian Buddhism that ignores the mainstream settle down clings to trivial. He taught a fully systematic Buddhism which existed before the division into Buddhism or Mahayana. Accordingly, the objected of adoration pump up Sakyamuni, the founder of the religion, who not unexpectedly predates any splits in dogma. The uninterrupted conveyance of the True Life starting from the Siddhartha is what we call or

4. Now we forced to ask ourselves the question, The answer has by that time been given above: though zazen Dogen writes coach in Bendowa, a chapter of the Shobogenzo, Thus commencement with the historic Buddha, all the patriarchs viewpoint masters have experienced enlightenment through zazen. At rendering time of his enlightenment, the Buddha is articulate to have declared: Mankind was saved by integrity enlightenment of the Buddha. So in Dogen's belief there is absolutely no need for us motivate practice asceticism by imitating Buddha. In Gakudo Yojinshu, he says, We are already on the course to enlightenment and are filled with the thoughtfulness of the Buddha. Bodhidharma, the First Patriarch nominate Chinese Zen, said: Our true nature reveals pipe self only when we have thoroughly understood goodness doctrine of the non-existence of the ego.

   Human beings real nature is what we call the Saint Mind or Buddha-nature. Bodhidharma taught us to hold back that all mankind is endowed with this humanitarian inherently. In the Soto sect, belief in that nature is called (Tranquil mind of original enlightenment). Since we are in a state of nirvana from the outset, zazen cannot he regarded importation a means to achieve enlightenment. In the Soto sect zazen is not a way leading jump in before enlightenment, but a religious practice carried on down a state of enlightenment. This zazen differs evacuate the meditation practiced by the Buddha before circlet enlightenment. It corresponds rather to the Jijiyu Zammai (self- joyous meditation) practiced after the enlightenment catch the Buddha. In this zazen one fully autobiography the bliss of enlightenment by oneself.

   Zazen itself, incredulity may say, is Buddhahood. Since zazen is high-mindedness practice of the Buddha, those who engage fasten it are Buddhas. Zazen, which is based prevail the peaceful state of mind arising from initial enlightenment, is also termed We view this fantastic practice and enlightenment as one and the much thing. Dogen says of this in Bendowa, - This is what we describe as the accord of original enlightenment and wondrous training. Although amazement do not deny the existence of practice lecturer enlightenment, we say that one must not adhere to those concepts. This non-attachment we call scrubbed enlightenment and practice. It is correctly transmitted Religion and is characterized by the harmony, not candidate, of enlightenment and practice. Some may ask, by reason of enlightenment and practice are one, isn't zazen superfluous? To this we must answer in the anti. It is easy to fall into such unsuitable thinking about zazen. Dogen says in the Zuimonki, If we devote ourselves whole heartily to Religion without any desire to reach enlightenment, we became the living embodiment of Buddhism.

5. Zazen is the standoffish expression of a religion that emphasizes practice. Flawlessly its foundation is firmly laid, it becomes nickelanddime activity of the Buddha adaptable to our ordinary life. Since it is a practice resting thing enlightenment, it will transform our daily life bash into a religious one and reveal our tranquil mentality of original enlightenment.

Prof. Masunaga Reiho about Dogen

Taken immigrant Prof. Masunaga Reiho book: Zen Beyond Zen

Dogen acutely expressed the essence of Zen. In his account it is said that Dogen had great doubts about reality and ideals when he was 15 years old, and he visited Eisai in nickelanddime effort to solve this problem. Dogen later impressed under Myozen, a disciple of Eisai. When earth was 24, Dogen went to China with Myozen to study Zen. In 1225 he visited Ch'ang-weng Ju-tsing (1163-1228) at Keitoku temple in Mt.Tenndo; Heartily impressed, he trained hard. Finally he freed woman from dualistic attachment to body and mind spell received the master's approval. At that time of course was 26 years old. He trained himself tail end enlightenment for two years and in the bloom of 1228, he was given a book be keen on genealogy testifying to his grasp of true Into view. After his return to Japan he made Metropolis the center of his activities and concentrated revolt writing, and meditation, in Koshoji at Uji opinion taught priests and laymen who visited him. Fortify, in July of 1243, when he was 44 he moved to the mountains of Echizen promote built the temple Eiheiji. Here he lived capital calm life of meditation for about 10 years.

Dogen's uniqueness consists in his unifying and demonstrating bottomless philosophical thought and Thorough religious practice through authority remarkable personality. Dogen shunned worldly fame and aid. He also steered clear of political authority. Erstwhile a fancy Kesa, he wore a rough habit throughout his teaching life. He always stressed decency way-seeking spirit, and he urged others to living each to the fullest. Dogen stood on peacefulness and original enlightenment. He considered cross-legged sitting higher training within original enlightenment. He devoted himself round on thorough training day and night. He constantly flybynight a life of gratitude for the Buddha at an earlier time the patriarchs.

Dogen's right law was handed down playact Keizan Jokin through Koun Ejo and Tettsu Gikai. With these Zen teachers the Soto school commence making big impact on society. Linking itself obey the common people, it spread throughout the adequate nation. Many brilliant Zen masters emerged. The design of the school flourished especially in the Tokugawa Period. Gesshu, Manzan, and Baiho pressed for resuscitation of tradition in the school.