Master Dogen's Zazen Meditation Handbook: A Translation of Eihei Dogen's Bendowa: A Discourse on the Practice of Zazen

This is the definitive English translation of a foundational work of Zen Buddhism, the Bendowa (On the Endeavor of the Way) by Eihei Dogen, founder of the Soto school of Zen in Japan. It contains the master's essential teachings on zazen, or seated meditation, which is the fundamental pathway to Buddhist enlightenment. The first part of the book introduces the notion of wondrous dharma and looks at the role of the individual to society and notions of time and interconnection. The second part of the work is cast in the form of a dialogue, the Q&A format offering answers to questions a Zen novice might pose regarding the paths to enlightenment. The contemporary insights by modern Zen master Kosho Uchiyama Roshi tackle some of the difficulties readers face in comprehending Dogen's guidance and demystify some of the terms and concepts central to an understanding of zazen practice and Buddhist philosophy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 19 April 2022
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing

Dogen's renowned text on Zen practice comes to life through the skilled guidance of a contemporary meditation master. —Carl Biefeldt, Professor of Religious Studies, Stanford University, and author of Dogen's Manuals of Zen Meditation.

This is the definitive English translation of a seminal work of Zen Buddhism, the Bendowa (On the Endeavor of the Way) by Eihei Dogen, the founder of the Soto school of Zen in Japan. Written in 1231, it contains the master's essential teachings on zazen, or seated meditation, which is the fundamental pathway to Buddhist enlightenment.

The first part of the book introduces the notion of wondrous dharma and explores the individual's role in society and notions of time and interconnectedness. The second part of the work takes the form of a dialogue, the Q&A format, offering answers to questions a Zen novice might pose regarding the paths to enlightenment:

How can passively sitting be a means of attaining enlightenment?

Why is sitting so crucial to meditation?

Can seated meditation be combined with other practices?

How can I maintain a practice that aligns with my other responsibilities in life?

What sets this edition apart are the contemporary insights by modern Zen master Kosho Uchiyama Roshi, which address some of the challenges readers face in comprehending Dogen's guidance and demystify some of the terms and concepts central to an understanding of zazen practice and Buddhist philosophy. He discusses the notion of dharma as presented in the text and looks at Buddhist thought through the lens of its concrete realities.

Weight: 350g
Dimension: 198 x 137 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9784805316924