Bendowa was written in 1231, by Zen Master Dogen, to propagate the Buddha-Dharma for people with a genuine interest in pursuing the Truth, namely “Zazen”. Zen Master Dogen wrote it with his strong conviction and experience that Zazen and Buddhism are one and the same. So, Zazen (big “Z”) naturally distinguishes itself from conventional zazen: a type of sitting meditation that is understood as a means to attain enlightenment. Moreover, the scope of Zen Master Dogen’s Zazen practice and understanding is far and wide, beyond ordinary human consciousness.
This Winter Zen Series will discuss Bendowa – first of the 95-chapter version of Shobogenzo, with emphasis on “Jijiyu Zanmai”, the Samadhi of self-fulfillment (of Sambhogakaya).
