Zen Master Dogen

About the Author

Zen Master Dogen (1200-1253) was a pivotal figure in Japanese Zen Buddhism, renowned for founding the Soto school and emphasizing zazen, or seated meditation, as the essence of enlightenment. Born in Kyoto, he traveled to China at age 24 to study under the Chan master Rujing, where he attained profound insights into the practice of 'just sitting' without attachment to goals. Returning to Japan, Dogen established Eiheiji monastery and authored extensive writings that blend poetic depth with rigorous philosophical inquiry, challenging the doctrinal rigidities of his time. His teachings, preserved in works like The Essential Dogen: Writings of the Great Zen Master, continue to inspire practitioners worldwide, offering timeless guidance on impermanence, non-duality, and the unity of practice and realization in everyday life.