Dogen

Dogen's Manuals of Zen Meditation Carl Bielefeldt
Publisher: University of California Press

His teachings are the very embodiment of the paradoxical blend of mystery and clarity that characterizes Zen. The selections in this program are from Moon in a Mindfulness With Breathing : A Manual for Serious Beginners. Brad: Well, generally meditation means you're sitting Śáand the posture is usuallyápretty much the same Śáyou're sitting in your lotus posture with your legs all twisted together and you're trying to achieve some kind of special mental state which is usually described to you by your teacher or by books, or whatever. Suzuki's 'Manual of Zen Budhism' ('On Believing in Mind,' pages 76-82). Selections include Dogen's famous meditation instructions; his advice on the practice of zazen, or sitting meditation; guidelines for community life; and some of his most inspirational talks. This was probably the Rinzai practice consists of seated meditation, koan training, and samu (work practice) or the art of doing activities mindfully. (P u-hua, Dogen s Manuals of Zen Meditation , Carl Bielefeldt, pg 156, 1988 Regents of the University of California). Dogen (1200-1253 C.E.) founded the Soto school of Zen Buddhism in Japan. Soto is the school introduced to Japan by Dogen (a former Tendai priest) in the 13th century, and emphasizes shikantaza (see below). This is a beautiful text that deserves to be far better known, and an easily accessible translation will be found in D. Dogen's approach to meditation has become perhaps the most influential Eastern spiritual practice in the Western world. "Bielefeldt's valuable contribution to Dogen research and beyond it to the history of Zen Buddhism is extremely rich in insightful perspectives and remarkable detail. Http://www.shop.com/manuals-Books. Zen emphasizes strict, regular meditation practices and experiential wisdom — particularly as realized in the form of meditation known as zazen —in the attainment of enlightenment. Also included are a bibliography and an .. Considerable textual, philosophical, and phenomenological justification of this practice can be found throughout the Zen master Dogen's classic manual of instruction, known as the Shobogenzo, for just this type of meditaiton. It's said that Chih-i (538–597 CE), the de facto founder of the T'ien-t'ai school, was the first Chinese Buddhist to produce a meditation manual.