An essential introduction to the life, writings, and legacy of one of Japan's most prolific Buddhist masters.
The founder of the Soto school of Zen in Japan, Eihei Dogen (1200â1253) is one of the most influential Buddhist teachers of all time. Although Dogenâs writings have reached wide prominence among contemporary Buddhists and philosophers, there is much that remains enigmatic about his life and writings. In Dogen: Japanâs Original Zen Teacher, respected Dogen scholar and translator Steven Heine offers a nuanced portrait of the masterâs historical context, life, and work, paying special attention to issues such as:
The nature of the âgreat doubtâ that motivated Dogenâs religious questThe sociopolitical turmoil of Kamakura Japan that led to dynamic innovations in medieval Japanese BuddhismThe challenges and transformations Dogen experienced during his pivotal time in ChinaKey inflection points and unresolved questions regarding Dogenâs teaching career in JapanOngoing controversies in the scholarly interpretations of Dogenâs biography and teachings
Synthesizing a lifetime of research and reflection into an accessible narrative, this new addition to the Lives of the Masters series illuminates thought-provoking perspectives on Dogenâs character and teachings, as well as his relevance to contemporary practitioners.