REL 101 Class notes, Week 7, Lecture 3, Week 8, Lecture 1
1200-1253 Dogen, founding master of Soto school of Japanese Zen Buddhism
Japan: Kamakura Period (1185-1333): Zen Buddhism: Dogen
Key Concepts in Dogen's Zen Buddhism
Dogen: Founder of Soto School of Zen Buddhism in Japan
Main work:
Shobogenzo
(see link below), chapter for this class: "Genjokoan"
Key ideas include:
Sitting-Only
historically
return to the practice of Sakyamuni Buddha,
zazen,
seated meditation.
philosophically
become one with each activity, beginning with seated meditation.
Dropping off body and mind - be in the moment, completely forget body and mind
Practice as Awakening - each moment of practice is a moment of awakening and vice versa
Key Terms - Dogen's Zen Buddhism
Key Passages - The "Genjokoan" (Manifesting Reality) Chapter of Dogen's
Shobogenzo
(Treasury of the True Eye of the Dharma)