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Dogen's Extensive Record: A Translation of the Eihei Koroku

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Dogen's Extensive Record, here translated by Taigen Dan Leighton et al, is an incredible accomplishment in translation and understanding this seminal figure in the history of Zen, and Japanese Zen. These records were mostly recorded later in his teaching career and reflect an intimacy not seen as often in his more popularly known work., SHobogenzo, despite others thinking to the contrary. Dogen here inspires, instructs, challenges and presents in a way that EVERY zen student will find inspiring and challenging. Whereas Lin Chi didn't have a lyrical bone in his body, despite being an exceptional teacher, Dogen is highly lyrical and poetic. Taigen's introduction is worth the reading as well, as it contextualizes and lays out a context in which to read this Extensive Record.

Taigen Leighton has to be the foremost Dogen scholar in our time, and as an ordained Soto priest in the line of Shunryu Suzuki roshi, gives play to his love for the founder of Soto Zen in Japan.

Dogen is such an important figure that he transcends Zen and Buddhism and is considered one of the great literary and philosophical figures in Japanese history.

This is a book you will come back to over and over again, tasting Dogen in ways that stay with you, that challenge you, as all good zen teachers do.

The Eihei Koroku (Dogen's Extensive Record) is second in importance, of Zen master Eiehei Dogen's writings, only to (the Kana) Shobogenzo (True Dharma-Eye Treasury).

This translation, rendered primarily by Taigen Dan Leighton (who also provides edited it and provides an excellent introduction) and Shohaku Okumura, is a monumental achievement.

Taigen Dan Leighton is the Zen teacher/scholar who has furnished students of Zen with a number of superb translations, including: "Cultivating the Empty Field" (The Record of Hongzhi -- who was a major influnce on Dogen), "The Wholehearted Way: A Translation of Eihei Dogen's 'Bendowa'", and his latest "Visions of Awakening Space and Time: Dogen and the Lotus Sutra." Leighton has spent decades of practice and study exploring Dogen's masterful works in the only way one truly can--by studying it AND applying it in actual practice.

Consequently, Leighton has come to understand this outstanding figure of Zen history as very few can. The Eheie Koroku offers us a glimpse of Dogen that is not afforded in the Shobogenzo alone. Informal and intimate throghout a large part of this record, we can sense Dogen the human being behind the Zen Giant. At the same time, Dogen's fundamental teachings of Zen are revealed to hold a remarkable consistency with his other records--and best of all, Dogen is witnessed as he actually taught his own small group of close, intimate disciples.

Taigen's introduction, notes, and massive "back matter" (glossaries, tables, etc.) is itself worth the price of the book.

Essential reading/reference/lifetime study for all English reading students--and a fascinating inside view for anyone wanting to get a handle on one of the most influential Zen masters of all time.

I have a great feeling holding this book. And its heavy, you can use it as a weapon. This book is for those who have come a bit on the path of zen and in Dogen studies. I use it as a `quoteoftheday' book looking up a dharma hall discourse and digest it slowly.
Gassho
Hans

Dogen's Extensive Record: A Translation of the Eihei Koroku: This is an excellent Zen book or either a novice or serious Zen meditator.