Eihei Dogen

Shobogenzo, a collection of discourses given to his disciples at various times between 1231 and his death in 1253, is the masterpiece of thirteenth-century Japanese Soto Zen Master Eihei Dogen. We offer below links to selected chapters; the entire translation can be downloaded following this link to the Shasta Abbey website.

Click on the titles below to read the PDFs or download.

• On ‘Respectful Bowing Will Secure for You the Very Marrow of the Way’ (Raihai Tokuzui)

The text is in two parts. The first deals with being willing to learn from any who give voice to the Dharma, be they male or female, human or animal, living or dead, animate or inanimate. The second specifically addresses various questions on learning from women.

Study with urgency, as though you were extinguishing a fire on your head: study with joy and hopefulness, as though you were standing on tiptoes.

• On Invocations: What We Offer to the Buddhas and Ancestors (Darani)

Thus, to bring tea to your Master or to make tea for your Master is to manifest the very heart and essence of the Teaching. It is to manifest the utmost marvelous spiritual ability.

• On the Heart-to-Heart Language of Intimacy (Mitsugo)

No observing eye is dim; every listening ear is keen. And there is the Eye of the Heart, and there are the eyes of the body. There is the Ear of the Heart, and there are the ears of the body.