The first branch of Zen tradition that we will take a closer look at is the one established by Dōgen Zenji, Sōtō Zen School.
Also known as Dōgen Kigen (1200-53), he was ordained as a Buddhist monk on Mt. Hiei. At the age of 23, he left for China in search of ‘the true Way of Buddha.’ There he discovered the practice of zazen (’seated meditation’ 座禅), which became the main focus of his preaching. After coming back to Japan, he left for the mountains of Echizen, where he established in 1244 one of the two head temples of Sōtō Zen - Eiheiji. His most prominent work is ‘Shobogenzo Zuimonki’
Keizan Zenji (1268-1325) - was the 4th ancestor in the Japanese Sōtō Zen lineage. In contrast to Dōgen Zenji, whose main focus was an exploration of the internal self, Keizan Zenji looked outwards and boldly spread the teachings. He also emphasised the equality of men and women by promoting his female disciples. In 1321 he founded the second head temple Sojiji, which was moved to Yokohama after being burnt down during the Meiji period
In contrast to Rinzai Zen School, which had the support of many powerful people, including the shogunate, the Sōtō Zen School had adherents mainly among wealthy families in the rural districts
Head Temples
Eiheiji Temple (’The Temple of Eternal Peace’) - located deep in the Echizen mountains, in northwest Japan. The land was offered to Dōgen by Yoshishige Hatano, one of his most devoted lay followers. To this day, one hundred monks continue to practice his shikantaza (’single-minded seating’ 只管打坐)
Sojiji Temple - it is an internationally open temple for Zen practice located near Yokohama city. On its extensive grounds educational facilities such as a university, high school and junior high school are located. One can see how these two temple complexes differ and how both of them strive to emulate their founders’ teachings
I have changed my mind. I know that I have said that instalments will be chronological - and they will be - but considering that I am almost finished with ‘A Tale for the Time Being’ by Ruth Ozeki - a highly recommended read - I have decided to first study the teachings of one Dōgen Zenji, a founder of Sōtō Zen School. However, before that, it is probably beneficial to learn about Zen in general. ^^
Overall, there are twenty-two religious corporations registered with the Japanese government that are recognised as belonging to the Zen tradition, the biggest of which are Sōtō School and Rinzai School. Today we will focus on the former.
Things that all Zen branches have in common include:
Dharma transmission is said to have been founded by the Buddha Shakyamuni
Most of the branches (流派) were established during the Kamakura period (1185-1333)
They all trace their lineages back to China through two men - Nanpo Jōmyō, also known as Daiō Kokushi (1235-1308), founder of the Daiō branch of Rinzai Zen; Dōgen Kigen (1200-53), founder of the Dōgen branch of Sōtō Zen
Japanese training monasteries are modelled on the leading Buddhist monasteries of Song and Yuan Chinese dynasties
Key Concepts
Dharma transmission (傳法) - the act of designating a dharma heir
Dharma - a key concept in Buddhism and Hinduism considered to be one of the three jewels of Buddhism, alongside sangha (the Buddhist monastic order) and Buddha. When capitalised, it is understood as the collective teachings of the Buddha. Otherwise, as ‘the way things are,’ aka ‘the laws of nature.’ The earliest writings on it come from the Vedas and it was the main focus of Buddha’s mediations. It is also thought that an individual’s dharma is pre-determined
Shakyamuni - an epithet for the ‘historical’ Buddha, the founder of the Buddhist religion in the present world cycle. His image (shakazō 釈迦像) is the main object of veneration (honzon 本尊) on the central altar of most Zen monasteries and temples
During my year-stay in Japan I have realised that I have minimal to none knowledge on Buddhism in Japan, which is not only essential if you’re studying the culture and history of this country as an actual degree but also really helpful if you’re considering at all to sightsee all the shrines and temples.
Therefore, I have decided to explore the topic and create a ‘little’ series on it. How little will it actually be depends on how far I decide to research the subject. ^^ It will be divided into bite-size instalments, starting with a general overview and proceeding with more detailed descriptions of specific sects.
Without further ado, let’s get started!
Buddhism in Japan
There are 13 major sects that can be distinguished in Japan (peach-coloured).
Chronologically speaking, these are the Six School of Nara Buddhism, which emerged after the capital was moved to the city of Nara in 710 AD; Heian Buddhism which includes Tendai and Shingon sects from the Heian period (794-1185) and schools that branched off during the Kamakura shogunate (1185-1333) such as Jōdō or Nichiren. Lastly, there are Zen sects which also emerged around the same time.
Next instalment will cover the two main sects of the Six Schools of Nara Buddhism. ^^
でも：the て-form of です + も ‘even’. It should not be confused with the particle combination で+も, where で is a particle of location or of means.
WH-word + でも yields the following meanings:
誰でも anyone
何でも anything
いつでも any time いつでもかまいませんよ Any time will be fine
どこでも any place
どれでも no matter which it is
なんて：「XなんてY」 it is used to express criticism of X or display surprise concerning it. In contrast to なんか it can be also used after a verb or adjective, not only a noun
Similarly to the construction わけにはいかない it indicates that one cannot do smth due to an external circumstance (V-inf nonpast + わけにはいかない) or that one has no other choice but to do smth (V-inf neg nonpast +わけにはいかない)
エピソードの語彙
味方：仲間、所属する側、加勢する
「例文」
味方に引き入れる win sb over/talk sb round
(戦争で)味方の国 an ally
味方の選手 a teammate
私はどちらの味方でもない I am not on either side
審議：deliberation, consideration, review
審議中である be under consideration/discussion
審議に付する refer a matter for discussion; bring a matter before the committee/Parliament
Yesterday I got back to re-watching, for the second time, all the seasons of ‘Attack on Titan.’ Join me on the ride of leafing through the new study material!
turnnoffyourmind
tangentwithtanner
dailybridgerton
amandla
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