Zen Master Dogen
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Dogen Talks

Dōgen Zenji (道元禅師; Japanese pronunciation: [doꜜː.ɡeɴ, -ŋeɴ], 26 January 1200 – 22 September 1253) was a Japanese Zen Buddhist monk, writer, poet, philosopher, and founder of the Sōtō school of Zen in Japan. He is also known as Dōgen Kigen (道元希玄), Eihei Dōgen (永平道元), Kōso Jōyō Daishi (高祖承陽大師), and Busshō Dentō Kokushi (仏性伝東国師).
Originally ordained as a monk in the Tendai School in Kyoto, he was ultimately dissatisfied with its teaching and traveled to China to seek out what he believed to be a more authentic Buddhism. He remained there for four years, finally training under Tiāntóng Rújìng, an eminent teacher of the Cáodòng lineage of Chinese Chan. Upon his return to Japan, he began promoting the practice of zazen (sitting meditation) through literary works such as Fukanzazengi and Bendōwa.
He eventually broke relations completely with the powerful Tendai School, and, after several years of likely friction between himself and the establishment, left Kyoto for the mountainous countryside where he founded the monastery Eihei-ji, which remains the head temple of the Sōtō school today.
Dōgen is known for his extensive writings like the Shōbōgenzō (Treasury of the True Dharma Eye, considered his magnum opus), the Eihei Kōroku (Extensive Record, a collection of his talks), the Eihei Shingi (the first Japanese Zen monastic code), along with his Japanese poetry, and commentaries. Dōgen's writings are one of the most important sources studied in the contemporary Sōtō Zen tradition.
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The Buddha Way is a Conversation.Dogenzenji's vow and the practice confession and repentance. Confession and repentenance includes both social and solitary aspects of practice. "The Snowman" poem by... Dogen, Confession-and-Repentance, Eihei Koso Hotsuganmon, Evil, Repentance,... |
Sep 03 2022 No Abode Hermitage Online |
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Wholehearted Zen: Ethics in Practice Precepts, Bodhisattva Precepts, Dogen |
Jan 2022 |
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Zen Awakening: Wisdom and Compassion Lovingkindness, Mahayana, Dogen |
Jan 2022 |
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Embracing Roles in Zen Intimacy Zendo, Intimacy, Dogen |
Jan 2019 |
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Zen's Path: Compassion Through Precepts Repentance, Dogen, Precepts |
Jul 02 2018 |
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Evolving Journeys in Zen Practice Bodhidharma, Zazen, Dogen |
2018 |
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Embodied Dharma in Everyday Actions Samadhi, Karmic Consciousness, Dogen |
Jan 18 2016 |
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Embodying Enlightenment Through Daily Actions Buddha Mind, Posture, Dogen |
Nov 19 2015 |
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Zen Mind: Beyond Thought and Karma Buddha Mind, Precepts, Dogen |
Jan 13 2015 |
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A Special Transmission Outside the ScripturesA Special Transmission Outside the Scriptures Buddha Mind, Transmission, Samadhi, Dogen |
Feb 02 2013 Morning No Abode Hermitage |
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Awakening the Mind Through Zazen Faith, Enlightenment, Dogen |
Jan 23 2013 |
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Practicing Zen Restraint Without Gain Dogen, Soto Zen, Bodhisattva Precepts |
Jan 25 2012 |
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Zazen: Awakening Through Non-Thinking Zazen, Dogen, Meditation |
Aug 22 2011 |
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Embracing the Mahayana: Do You Want to be an Artist? Breath, Dogen, Community, Lineage, Evil |
Jul 16 2011 Afternoon No Abode Hermitage |
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Intimacy in Stillness: Zen Practice Samadhi, Intimacy, Dogen |
Dec 17 2010 |
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Real Dragon Meditation Unveiled Zazen, Dogen, Effort |
Dec 12 2010 |
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Paying Respect to the Great Teacher Dragons, Transmission, Dogen, Perfect Wisdom |
Nov 06 2010 Morning No Abode Hermitage |
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Incense, Prostrations, and Zen Bonds Bowing, Dharma Transmission, Dogen |
Oct 28 2010 |
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Reverence Rituals: Zen's Ancestral Wisdom Ceremony, Offering, Dogen |
Oct 27 2010 |
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The Mind of Enlightenment Silence, Lotus Sutra, Dogen, Bodhidharma |
Aug 19 2010 The Yoga Room |
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For a Sentient Being to be a Sentient Being is just not to Move Silence, Manjushri, Dogen, Impermanence, Karmic Consciousness |
Nov 14 2009 Morning No Abode Hermitage |
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Causation and Non-Self Attachment, Evil, Dogen, Emptiness |
Mar 26 2009 The Yoga Room |
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Embracing Flow: Zen's Treasure Trove Dogen |
Jan 17 2009 |
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The Practice That Fills and Is Filled by the Entire Universe and the Bodhisattva Precept of Not Killing Lotus Sutra, Buddha Ancestors, Soto Zen, Dogen, Buddha Mind |
Nov 22 2008 Morning No Abode Hermitage |
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About the Lotus Sutra Lotus Sutra, Bell, Dogen |
Apr 19 2008 No Abode Hermitage |
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Embodying Wisdom Through Ritual Actions Buddha, Practice, Dogen |
Feb 14 2008 B Southern Palm Zen Group |
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Worship of the BuddhaWhen a person pays homage and bows to the Buddhas, there is just one Buddha with no other person. Lotus Sutra, Bowing, Duality, Dogen, War |
Jul 28 2007 Morning No Abode Hermitage |
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Zen Foundations: Meditation and Precepts Meditation, Dogen, Zazen |
Dec 13 2006 |
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Intention Unveiled: The Heart of Zen Bell, Lovingkindness, Dogen |
Oct 08 2006 |
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Mind's Illusion: Unity to Enlightenment Enlightenment, Dogen, Faith |
Feb 20 2005 |
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Unified Through Giving and Kindness Vow, Love, Dogen |
Dec 02 2004 |
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Fear and Fearlessness Buddha, Time, Dogen |
Jun 08 2004 1 Cleveland Zen Center |
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Fear and Fearlessness Community, Dogen, Sangha |
Jun 07 2004 1 Cleveland Zen Center |
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Cultivating the Grandmotherly Zen Mind Buddha, Dogen, Triple Treasure |
Oct 11 2003 |
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Grandmotherly Mind Buddha, Dogen, Triple Treasure |
Oct 11 2003 Green Gulch Farm |
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Embodying Dharma in Daily Life Dogen, Precious Mirror, Buddhism |
Aug 20 2002 |
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Zazens Relational Path: Beyond Precepts Passions, Vinaya, Dogen |
Feb 11 2001 |
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Embodying Stillness on the Zen Path Instruction, Bodhidharma, Dogen |
Feb 16 2000 |
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Unveiling the Illusory Self Faith, Mahayana, Dogen |
Apr 01 1999 |
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Embracing Emptiness Through Mindfulness Faith, Dogen, Emptiness |
Apr 01 1999 |
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Oneness in Selffulfilling Samadhi Samadhi, Oneness, Dogen |
Dec 08 1998 |
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Awakening to Your Buddha Nature Soto Zen, Book of Serenity, Buddha Nature, Dogen |
Oct 29 1997 |
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Zazen: Union of Self and Cosmos Evil, Dogen, Zazen |
Feb 23 1994 |
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Refuge in the Triple Treasure Triple Treasure, Sangha, Dogen |
Jan 25 1994 |
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Embracing Stillness: Zen's Compassionate Path Vow, Commitment, Dogen |
Aug 21 1991 |
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Illuminating Self through Silent Breath Zazen, Avatamsaka Sutra, Dogen |
May 20 1991 |
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Present Moment Zen: Embrace and Engage Effort, Buddhism, Dogen |
Aug 08 1989 Tassajara |
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Embodying the Essence of Zen Soto Zen, Dogen, Perfect Wisdom |
Aug 26 1988 |