Dōgen
Dōgen: A Zen Master's Journey to Enlightenment
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Eihei Dōgen Kōshin (1200-1253) was a Japanese Buddhist master, philosopher, poet, and founder of the Sōtō school of Zen. He is commonly referred to as Dōgen, a name that roughly translates to "Eastern Gate."
Birth and Death Dates
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Born in 1200 CE in Kyōto, Japan, Dōgen's life spanned one of the most tumultuous periods in Japanese history. He passed away on December 22, 1253, at Eihei-ji monastery, which he had founded just a few years prior.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Dōgen was a Japanese Buddhist master and philosopher. His profession spanned multiple disciplines: Buddhism, philosophy, poetry, and calligraphy.
Early Life and Background
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Born into the Fujiwara family, Dōgen's early life was marked by privilege and luxury. However, his family's influence and wealth did little to shield him from the turmoil of his time. At a young age, Dōgen demonstrated a keen interest in Buddhism, which would eventually lead him to abandon his family's expectations for a life of politics.
Major Accomplishments
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Dōgen spent many years studying Zen under various masters in China and Japan. He is credited with introducing the concept of "just sitting" (shikantaza) or zazen to Japanese Buddhism, emphasizing the importance of meditation as a means to attain enlightenment. This focus on meditation laid the foundation for the Sōtō school's emphasis on practice over doctrine.
Notable Works or Actions
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Dōgen's written works include Shobogenzo, his magnum opus, which is still studied today by Zen scholars and practitioners worldwide. The text explores various aspects of Buddhist philosophy, including the nature of reality, the role of language in describing it, and the importance of meditation as a means to understanding.
Impact and Legacy
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Dōgen's influence on Japanese Buddhism cannot be overstated. His emphasis on zazen has had a lasting impact on the development of Zen in Japan and beyond. The Sōtō school he founded remains one of the largest and most influential Zen traditions worldwide. Dōgen's legacy extends far beyond his writings, however: his philosophy continues to inspire generations of artists, writers, and thinkers who seek to understand the human condition.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Dōgen is widely quoted and remembered for his profound insights into the nature of reality and the human experience. His writings offer a unique blend of Buddhist philosophy, poetry, and calligraphy that continues to captivate readers worldwide. "To study the Buddha-way is to study the self," he once wrote in Shobogenzo (Book 1). This simple yet profound statement encapsulates Dōgen's lifelong quest for understanding: a journey into the very heart of human existence.
In conclusion, Dōgen's life was one of dedication and discipline, marked by an unwavering commitment to his craft. As a master of Zen, philosopher, poet, and founder of the Sōtō school, he left behind a lasting legacy that continues to inspire seekers of truth today.
Quotes by Dōgen
Dōgen's insights on:
When you paint Spring, do not paint willows, plums, peaches, or apricots, but just paint Spring. To paint willows, plums, peaches, or apricots is to paint willows, plums, peaches, or apricots – it is not yet painting Spring.
Refraining from all evil, not clinging to birth and death, working in deep compassion for all sentient beings, respecting those over you and pitying those below you, without any detesting or desiring, worrying or lamentation – this is what is called Buddha. Do not search beyond it.
Realization doesn’t destroy the individual any more than the reflection of the moon breaks a drop of water. A drop of water can reflect the whole sky.
Yet you must not cling to the words of the old sages either; they, too, may not be right. Even if you believe them, you should be alert so that, in the event that something superior comes along, you may follow that.
Though it has no thought of keeping watch, it’s not for naught that the scarecrow stands in the grain field.
When you paint Spring, do not paint willows, plums, peaches, or apricots – just paint Spring.
Because mountains are high and broad, the way of riding the clouds is always reached in the mountains; the inconceivable power of soaring in the wind comes freely from the mountains.
All that’s visible springs from causes intimate to you. While walking, sitting, lying down, the body itself is complete truth. If someone asks the inner meaning of this: Inside the treasury of dharma eye a single grain of dust.