Hello everyone and welcome to another quick Buddhist lecture.
Today we will be taking a look at Ehiai Dōgan,
Who was a 13th century Japanese Buddhist monk,
Philosopher,
And founder of the Sōtō-Zin school of Buddhism.
Ehiai Dōgan was born in 1200 in Kyoto,
Japan,
And began his Buddhist training at a young age as his mother and father both died.
Dissatisfied with the teachings available in the Japan of his time,
He traveled to China in search of the true essence of Buddhism.
It was in China that Dōgan encountered a teacher by the man of Rūjīng after much wandering.
Rūjīng was a renowned Chan master,
And Dōgan received the transmission of the Sōtō-Zin lineage from Rūjīng after practicing and studying under him for some time.
Upon returning to Japan,
Dōgan founded Eheiji Monastery,
Which remains one of the most prominent centers of Sōtō-Zin and Zin practice in general in the world today.
Dōgan's significance in the development of Japanese Zin cannot be overstated.
He is credited with introducing and systematizing the Sōtō-Zin tradition in Japan,
Which emphasizes the practice of shikantaza,
Or just sitting,
As well as zazen,
As the direct expression of one's inherent awakening.
Dōgan's teaching emphasized the oneness of practice and awakening itself,
Asserting that meditation practice itself is the actualization of Buddha nature rather than a means to attain it.
One of Dōgan's most important works is Shobogenzo,
Or Treasury of the True Dharma Eye,
Which is a collection of discourses,
Essays,
And diary entries that he wrote that expounds upon various aspects of Buddhist philosophy and practice.
As someone who has been deeply engaged in Zin and the study of Zin,
I would caution anyone wishing just to buy it and read it.
It kind of requires a deep knowledge of medieval Japanese society to be able to fully understand,
But many of the lessons therein are blatantly available,
So if you are interested in reading it,
I suggest it.
Just know that probably on your first pass you aren't going to catch everything,
Which is perfectly fine.
Shobogenzo itself is considered a masterpiece of Buddhist literature,
And its teachings continue to inspire and challenge Zin practitioners to this day.
I've even met some Zin masters who didn't like the book because,
In their own words,
It gave all the secrets away.
Central to Dōgan's teachings is the concept of non-duality,
Which asserts that all phenomena are interconnected and interdependent without any inherent separation between subject and object,
Self and other,
Or awakening and delusion.
The understanding of non-duality is the foundation for the Sōtō-Zin approach to meditation,
Which emphasizes the direct experience of one's own innate Buddha nature,
Free from striving or goal-seeking.
Dōgan would transform the essence and spirit of Zin in Japan in his time,
And still has lasting impact to this day.
The figure of Dōgan and his teachings have had a profound impact not only on Japan,
But on myself and many of my fellow students,
As his approach is one that is incredibly direct.
His emphasis on just sitting and the oneness of practice and awakening provide a powerful reminder of the innate potential for awakening that lies within each of us.
Thank you for joining me in this short exploration of Ehiai Dōgan and the way of Sōtō-Zin.
I hope you enjoyed this quick Buddhist lecture.
I'm Silas Day,
And I'll see you next time.
