by Great Master Dogen or The Treasure House of the Eye of the True Teachings VOLUME 1 - Translator, Rev. Hubert Nearman, F.O.B.C.; Editor & Consultant, Rev. Daizui MacPhillamy, M.O.B.C. From the translator's general introduction: "The Shobogenzo is a collection of writings by the First Japanese Soto Zen Buddhist Ancestor, Great Master Eihei Dogen, based primarily on formal Dharma talks which he gave to his disciples at various times between 1233 and his death twenty years later at age fifty-three. The title has been translated as The Treasure House of the Eye of the True Teachings, but a fuller and more comprehensive rendering would be The Treasure House for What the Spiritual Eye of Wise Discernment Perceives from the Vantage Point of the True Teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha and His Heirs. "Most of the texts in the book focus on exploring the spiritual significance of some term or phrase drawn from Buddhist Scriptures or Chinese Zen texts. These are not lectures, as would be understood in an academic setting, but are talks that arise from Dogen's deepest understanding of the spiritual meaning and relevance of his topic to Buddhist training and practice." This translation draws upon both the monastic and scholarly training of the translator and editor, and aims to make the depth of Dogen's voicing of the Dharma accessible to western Buddhist readers. The translator's general introduction explains some of the methods Dogen employs in his Dharma talks, particularly his use of traditional koan stories. A short introduction is provided for each text, as well as footnotes to help clarify unusual terms and phrases. The texts are taken from several early editions of the Shobogenzo, and have been arranged in chronological order so that readers can see more clearly how Dogen's various themes developed over time. This first volume presents the earliest eleven texts, including A Discourse on Doing One's Utmost in Practicing the Way of the Buddha (Bendowa), The One Bright Pearl (Ikka Myoju), "Your Very Mind Is Buddha" (Soku Shin Ze Butsu), "Refrain from All Evil Whatsoever" (Shoaku Makusa), Respectful Bowing Will Secure for You the Very Marrow of the Way (Raihai Tokuzui), and The Rippling of a Valley Stream, The Contour of a Mountain (Keisei Sanshoku). |