Dogen
Zenji's Zazenshin consists of the "Non-Thinking" of Grand Master
Yakuzan Kodo, the dialogue between Zen Master Nangaku and and his disciple Zen
Master Baso Doitsu beginning with "Planning to become Buddha", "Polishing
to make Mirror," and then Zen Master Wanshi's Zazenshin and Dogen Zenji's
own Zazen shin.
Using the character for "shin" in acupuncture, he
shows the essence of zazen. He
indicates the way of Zazen called non-thinking, not comprehending but as actual
practice. The text is difficult to understand without the guidance of a
clear-eyed master.
I had been studying Dogen Zenji's "Shobogenzo" by myself. In 2016, I
listened to the talks of “Shoubogenzo” by Kando Roshi and found it was very
easy to understand. Since then, I have learned from Kando Rhoshi, and with his
permission, I have transcribed and published his teachings. I feel that with
his explanation, I can understand Dogen's original text and get his true
meaning across.
The reason why I attempted to translate it into English is that I thought I
could express in English the true meaning of Dogen Zenji that I have come to
understand through the practice of zazen and publishing under the guidance of
Kando Roshi. The annotations are taken from Kando Roshi's advocacy.
I am not sure if I have expressed the pivot of Zazenshin as shown by Dogen, the
way of practicing Zazen in a way that is not affected by the way of human
thinking, and the state of the masters beyond thinking, yet I would appreciate
your comments and suggestions.
In the end, I would like to introduce a
passage from Master Kando's speech.
"As Dogen Zenji said, the Zazenshin of Zen Master Wanshi may seem to be a
methodology on how to do zazen, but it is already beyond methodology. Each one of us is in his or her own state right now, so
there is no indication that we are going to get there. Everyone is showing us
the truth of themselves as they are sitting right now, right away. I think
that's something I'm very grateful for. If I
may add a little more, we are now able to live a proper life before we
understand or know. Furthermore, it was quite a while later that we started
thinking about things like the other side and this side. In the beginning,
there was no need to think about the other side and this side, and suddenly we
are here in the truth of ourselves. It's the same for everyone. If you look at the way you are sitting now, you can see
that there is no sign of anyone else anywhere. And we
are here without even saying that it's just our appearance. This kind of thing
must be at the core of Zen master Wahshi's Zazenshin.”
Sep. 2021,
Taihaku Sokan. S. Tatsuta
Brief
History of Venerable Kando Inoue Roshi.
Born in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture in 1944. Fifth son of Gien and Yoshie Inoue.
Associate master of the Soto Zen School, and the Todo of Shorinji Temple.
The 24th restoration founding of Shorinji Temple.
He was ordained in 1953. After working as a monk
at Hoshinji Temple, and at Daihonzan Soji-ji Temple, for many years, he served
asYakuryo; the head of the Kaphaisai in Fukuroi City. In his teens, he became aware of and
continued his studies and later received Dharma Seal transmission; a
certificate of approval from his father and teacher, Gien Inoue Roshi. He has
been teaching zazen in Tokyo, Shizuoka, Kansai, Okayama, and many other places.
References
Ebook
“Shobogenzo Zazenshin" by Inoue Kandō Rōshi
Youtube recording “Shobogenzo Zazenshin” by Inoue Kando
Roshi
The First Session https://youtu.be/yE_juUBbicU
The Second https://youtu.be/ccUPphIw7xw
The Third https://youtu.be/z1_oUFI5LLQ
The Fourth https://youtu.be/jSujrHg6d9s
The Fifth https://youtu.be/NsxAu2qTjyk
The 6th https://youtu.be/NlX1xMISRoE
The
7th https://youtu.be/9KKyyhIKkTc
The 8th https://youtu.be/nF1KMsU4Mqg
The 9th https://youtu.be/fnFEjg-B1OI