Engaging Dogen's Zen: The Philosophy of Practice as Awakening

Master Dogen once advised (in the Tenzo Kyokun) that even poor ingredients can be made into a rich soup. This book begins by explaining, very openly and honestly, the strange history and resulting weaknesses of the "Shushogi", the 19th century hodgepodge of a religious pamphlet which is the centerpiece of this book, and which might be described as a watering down of Dogen for the masses that (among other failings) somehow manged to leave out all mention of "Zazen" because it was believed at the time that the average Japanese layperson would have no aptitude or understanding of sitting. The Introduction to the current collection itself questions why the authors should bother at all to comment on such an out-dated and narrow presentation of Dogen, suggesting that the Japanese Soto-sect might rightly consider to abandon their continued use of the old Shushogi in order to create something better!Nonetheless, what follows are some excellent essays on the different short sections of the work.(Excellent for the most part, and a but up and down in quality in fact, but what did not appeal to me might ring someone else's bell, so I name no names). I must say that the essays usually succeed only by sometimes ignoring the words of the Shushogi itself, and going off into very modern or stretched interpretations (for example, the several passages from Dogen which seem very literal on "rebirth" often are simply ignored, re-interpreted in more psychological terms or hurried through by the essay writers to present something more to their modern sensibilities). Many of the authors seem to have a certain skepticism themselves about the Shushogi they are commenting on, and discuss frankly its failings, even as they go ahead and patch over the weaknesses and quirks (quite well, in fact). For the most part, the authors of the various essays are not Buddhist priests (some are), but university professors of philosophy and related academic subjects who are long time Zen practitioners. Their presentations, rather than dry academic discussions, are in the form of beautiful and helpful Dharma Talks and quite readable.To compensate for the absence of "Zazen" in the Shushogi (although several of the writers bring Zazen into their Shushogi essays), there is an added discussion of Master Dogen's "Fukanzazengi" with a simply outstanding accompanying essay presenting Dogen's way of Shikantaza. The author appears to be an academic who is a long time Rinzai Zen practitioner, but who has a good handle on the sameness and differences between Shikantaza and Koan Introspection.Gassho, Jundo Cohen, Treeleaf Sangha

Engaging Dogen's Zen is a complex and thoughtful collection of essays. Great for a beginner, they also have a depth that is sometimes lacking in other books on Zen. From Dogen's travels to China only to realize that he had already found enlightenment to the 10 pure precepts, this book reaches into the heart of Zen. It also looks into the ethical questions of various beliefs within Buddhism and why Dogen chose the path he did, which supported those outside the monasteries in their quest for enlightment. There is too much to mention in such a short space. I strongly recommend reading it!

Um livro excelente. Cada trecho do Shushogi possui um comentário de algum praticante ou estudioso. Um livro mais teórico, mas que ajuda a entender o porque desse texto, como ele foi composto, o período que a escola Soto vivia na época. Bem interessante.