AmerikanZen
Active Member
Can anyone here teach on the Dharma in context of Soto Zen?...
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Genjo Koan
To study the Buddha way is to study the self. To study the self is to forget the self. To forget the self is to be actualized by myriad things. When actualized by myriad things, your body and mind as well as the bodies and minds of others drop away. No trace of realization remains, and this no-trace continues endlessly.
Dogen
Soto Zen focuses on silent illumination and just sitting - meditation without any object or content - direct seeing.
When Dogen was asked what he brought back with him from China, he said he came empty-handed, remarking "eyes horizontal, nose vertical."
Dogen's style of teaching was simplified from all abstractions, a return to our basic nature. Soto Zen is part of Dogen's legacy, a here-and-now path to enlightenment.
This is the essence of Soto Zen.
I'm a SZ noob, and i agree with DreadFish that the Fukanzazengi lays it out well. But when i first read Dogen (just a few months ago) i had no idea what the heck he was saying (and still don't w/o assistance!)
Then I found a weekly Skype study group originating out of the Atlanta Soto Zen Center. We just started on Fukanzazengi a couple of weeks back. Sensei is also willing to answer questions one-on-one offline. Dogen is exceptionally profound once you get your bearings. This is a great option for those of us stuck in the Bible Belt backwaters of TX and AL. If you're interested let me know and I can connect you.
I've been a Zen Buddhist for three years, and I still have trouble understanding everything that Dogen is trying to say. His teachings aren't easy to understand, and are too advanced for my mind right now.
That's interpereter Dogen's <<works he left behind>> /since he's long been deceased./
Dogen's <(English to Japanese)> interpreter would be able to tell you that.
I blame Brad Warner. (Fondly.)I'm not sure why the Dogen character is so central to Zen Buddhism.
Its kinda weird in that sense.
I'm not sure why the Dogen character is so central to Zen Buddhism.
Its kinda weird in that sense.
Why do you say that? Dogen was central in taking Soto Zen from China to Japan. He's one of the most revered figures in Zen. However, none of his teachings can compare to one's own experience.
I'm not sure. Dogen's character was and has been mentioned alot in Zen discussions.
Isn't he deceased?....Who will now run the monastery?....
He died in 1235 and there are more than one zen monastery in Japan. In fact, there are multiple monasteries who practice Soto zen, there are a multiple who practice Rinzai Zen, and multiple who practice Obaku zen.
No offense, but I dont really dont understand your logic, AmerikanZen. I really don't understand where you are coming from in half of your posts.
Nan-in, a Japanese master during the Meiji era (1868-1912), received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen.
Nan-in served tea. He poured his visitor's cup full, and then kept on pouring.
The professor watched the overflow until he no longer could restrain himself. "It is overfull. No more will go in!"
"Like this cup," Nan-in said, "you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?"
Based [hebraic word] on regular reference to -What the Buddha taught- it is that Dharma was the manifest teachings/instructions ...
I have a notion that Dharma is the universal spiritual law.