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Carl Bielefeldt

Dogen's Manuals of Zen Meditation Paperback – August 16, 1990

by Carl Bielefeldt (Author)

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Zen Buddhism is perhaps best known for its emphasis on meditation, and probably no figure in the history of Zen is more closely associated with meditation practice than the thirteenth-century Japanese master Dogen, founder of the Soto school. This study examines the historical and religious character of the practice as it is described in Dogen's own meditation texts, introducing new materials and original perspectives on one of the most influential spiritual traditions of East Asian civilization.

The Soto version of Zen meditation is known as "just sitting," a practice in which, through the cultivation of the subtle state of "nonthinking," the meditator is said to be brought into perfect accord with the higher consciousness of the "Buddha mind" inherent in all beings. This study examines the historical and religious character of the practice as it is described in Dogen's own meditation texts, introducing new materials and original perspectives on one of the most influential spiritual traditions of East Asian civilization.

Print length

267 pages
Language

English
Publisher

University of California Press
Publication date

August 16, 1990
Dimensions

6 x 0.7 x 9 inches
ISBN-10

0520068351
ISBN-13

978-0520068353
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Bielefeldt's valuable contribution to Dogen research and beyond it to the history of Zen Buddhism is extremely rich in insightful perspectives and remarkable detail."--Heinrich Doumoulin, "Monumenta Nipponica

From the Back Cover

Zen Buddhism is perhaps best known for its emphasis on meditation, and probably no figure in the history of Zen is more closely associated with meditation practice than the thirteenth-century Japanese master Dogen, founder of the Soto school. This study examines the historical and religious character of the practice as it is described in Dogen's own meditation texts, introducing new materials and original perspectives on one of the most influential spiritual traditions of East Asian civilization.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ University of California Press; First Edition (August 16, 1990)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 267 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0520068351
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0520068353
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.8 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.7 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,641,430 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #6,584 in Buddhism (Books)

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14 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5

14 global ratings

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4 star		12%
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MJ Smith

Well researched! An important book clarifying Dogen’s instructions

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 27, 2019

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This is a scholarly book. It is well researched and deals with trying to clarify conflicting topics that come among people trying to understand Dogen’s writings on Soto Zen Meditation. This is no small task. I have practicing Soto Zen Buddhism for years, and these conflicting information he addresses are things which it is hard to get clarification on, most significantly topics such as what did Dogen mean by Shikantaza, “just sitting”? This is something I have asked many zen priests about, and other practitioners and the answers you get are all over the board. And it’s important because Dogen wrote instructions for how to sit zazen, but these instructions are not spelled out simply. The author of this book, Carl Bielefeldt is an Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Stanford University, great credentials for researching such a tough subject.

For me, the most significant thing presented here is that Dogen’s Fukanzazengi, his earliest written instructions about how to sit zazen, was apparently rewritten. The common version used and referenced today by the Soto Zen community, is the second, rewritten version, which leaves out significant instructions from the original. In the original Dogen states more detail about what to focus on while sitting, in other words, not simply “nonthinking”, which is what every quotes. This is revelatory. This was extremely helpful to me in answering the question which I have had so many different answers to.

So, why four stars instead of five? I appreciate the fact that as an academic writing about his research, that the author writes out lengthy explanations. I am not knocking that. It’s a great book. It’s an important book. But, this could have been so much shorter and easier to read, stated more plainly, making the information more accessible.

13 people found this helpful

Helpful

Ted Biringer

A powerful study of Dogen's teachings on Zen meditation

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 12, 2008

Carl Bielefeldt offers us the very best study and analysis of Eihei Dogen's Zen meditation texts yet available in English.

Bielefelt begins by introducing the reader to the history and basic content of Dogen's meditation manuals and their traditional role in the Soto Zen sect. He then analyzes them in light of a variety of Zen teachings. These include "sudden enlightenment and gradual cultivation", the Zen tradition of "mind to mind transmission", "zazen", "koans" and a variety of Zen methods and techniques in the use and interpretation of expression, language, practice and experience.

Bielefeldt then offers a thorough analysis of Dogen's Zazen gi from the perspective of the history of similar texts in Chan (Zen). Finally singling out of Tso-ch'an i, the Chinese meditation manual that most influenced Dogen's own Zazen gi.

Taking us on an inside tour, Bielefeldt shares his knowledge and insight on the relations of and tensions between the various meditation techniques propagated by the classic masters of Zen from the Tang through the Sung dynasties. Including thorough investigations into "silent illumination" "koan introspection" and the "genjokoan" (koan realized in life).

After bringing the reader to very crux of the profound teachings of Zen meditation, Carl Bielfeldt offers a profound study of Dogen's teaching on "nonthinking" which Dogen characterized as "the essential art of Zen." He then reveals some insightful, even startling implications of Dogen's teaching of "nonthinking", and presents some possible interpretations.

The Book concludes with a revealing "side by side" comparison of Dogen's various meditation manuals, highlighting similarities and differences.

This is a remarkable exploration of Dogen's work, and Zen meditation generally. A great book and a must read for all serious students of Zen.

21 people found this helpful

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nativewater

Dogen's thoughts on meditation: a scholarly analysis

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 4, 2001

Dogen started his training as a Buddhist monk in Japan at age 13. At age 23, dissatisfied with his development, he and his teacher, Myozen traveled to China where they believed the true Dharma was to be found. After studying at several monasteries, Dogen found a compatible teacher who certified his understanding of the Dharma and even invited him to become his attendant. Dogen declined and at age 27 returned to Japan to teach the Dharma there.
And he started a prolific writing career. Among the many things he wrote was a meditation manual, dated speculatively 1233. It was based on a meditation manual written by the Chinese teacher Tsung-tse. A number of years after he wrote his meditation manual, Dogen revised it. This revised copy is the one generally known to followers of Dogen. It is these three meditation manuals, the one by Tsung-tse, the original one by Dogen and the later revision that form the focus of Bielefeldt's book. The original meditation manuals are quite short and are reproduced in a number of appendices. The discussion of how Dogen refined his text on meditation and how Dogen's thoughts on meditation differed from his antecedents form the bulk of the book. In addition, the book discusses the relationship of Dogen's teachings on meditation to that of the sudden and gradual schools of enlightenment that were current in China in Dogen's time.
All in all, pretty heavy reading. More than once, I found myself at the bottom of a page without any idea what I just read.. If you are a serious student of Zen history and the evolution and antecedents of Dogen's thought then this book is a worthwhile addition to your library. The five star rating is for content, not for ease of reading. If you are looking for an inspirational work on Dogen or instruction on how to meditate, you are better off looking elsewhere.

30 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Matt Jenkins

An Excellent Look at Dogen's Understanding of Zazen, with Particular Reference to the Fukanzazengi

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on July 10, 2010

Verified Purchase

Zen Buddhism is perhaps best known for its emphasis on meditation, and probably no figure in the history of Zen is more closely associated with meditation practice than the Japanese master Eihei Dogen (1200-1253), founder of the Soto school. This study examines the historical and religious character of the practice as it is described in Dogen's own meditation texts, with particular reference to the editions of the Fukanzazengi, introducing new materials and original perspectives on one of the most influential spiritual traditions of East Asian civilization. The Soto version of Zen meditation is known as "just sitting," a practice in which, through the cultivation of the subtle state of "nonthinking," the meditator is said to be brought into perfect accord with the higher consciousness of the "Buddha mind" inherent in all beings.

"A long-awaited tour de force. Carl Bielefeldt focuses on a small and seemingly insignificant work by the famous Zen master Dogen Kigen (1200- 53) and coaxes from it an impressive number of important lessons about Chinese Ch'an, Japanese Zen, and the modern enterprise of Zen studies. . . . This book will be extremely useful in classes on the intellectual and religious histories of both China and Japan." -- John R. McRae, Journal of Asian Studies

"Bielefeldt's valuable contribution to Dogen research and beyond it to the history of Zen Buddhism is extremely rich in insightful perspectives and remarkable detail." -- Heinrich Doumoulin, Monumenta Nipponica

For a good general introduction to Dogen and his thought Eihei Dogen: Mystical Realist may be of interest.

2 people found this helpful

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