Notes:

Dogen

Sitting-only: historical and philosophical

Body-mind dropping off: forget the self, become the activity

Practice as awakening: realize the here-and-now

Dogen, “Genjokoan” chapter of Shobogenzo (Treasury of the True Eye of Dharma)

“To learn the self is to forget the self” (134)

“The very moment one begins to seek, … he becomes far removed” (135)

Firewood and ashes, before and after (136)

Water needs fish, the sky needs birds (138)

Preview of Shinran and Shin Buddhism:

Comparative context and practical ramifications:

Reflect on how different modes of knowing inform your life

Key emphases of knowledge

Hinduism: Mind-knowing: Jnana yoga

Daoism: Body-knowing: Embodied examples

Mahayana Buddhism: Heart-knowing: Great compassion

Images of Compassion:

Bodhisattva Kannon (Skt. Avalokitesvara; Ch. Guanyin) Bodhisattva of Compassion

Amida Buddha (Skt. Amitabha/Amitayus; Ch. Amituofo) Buddha of Compassion

Slideshow (go to canvas.uoregon.edu site for this course):

1. Mikaeri Amida, Zenrinji: Amida Buddha looking back to make sure all are included, Zenrinji Temple, Kyoto Japan

2. Yamagoe Amida, Medieval Japan: Amida Triad coming over the mountain, with bodhisattvas Kannon and Fugen

3. Amida Buddha, Early Medieval Japan, sitting on a Lotus dais

4. Name of Amida (translation), High Priest Rennyo, 15th century

5. Name of Amida (transliteration: Namu Amida Butsu, Medieval Japan, Ryojoji Temple

6. Name of Amida, Ryojoji Temple, detail

7. White Tara, contemporary thankga painting

8. Guanyin, bodhisattva of compassion, Song Dynasty China (Skt. Avalokitesvara; Jpn. Kannon)

Seated power pose

9. Kannon riding a dragon, contemporary Japan

10. Kannon attending to infant, Kano Hogai, 20th century Japan

11. Kannon, Hilton Wailoloa Village, Big Island, Hawaii