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Dogen Talks

Zen Master Dogen

Dōgen Zenji (道元禅師; Japanese pronunciation: [doꜜː.ɡeɴ, -ŋeɴ], 26 January 1200 – 22 September 1253) was a Japanese Zen Buddhist monk, writer, poet, philosopher, and founder of the Sōtō school of Zen in Japan. He is also known as Dōgen Kigen (道元希玄), Eihei Dōgen (永平道元), Kōso Jōyō Daishi (高祖承陽大師), and Busshō Dentō Kokushi (仏性伝東国師).

Originally ordained as a monk in the Tendai School in Kyoto, he was ultimately dissatisfied with its teaching and traveled to China to seek out what he believed to be a more authentic Buddhism. He remained there for four years, finally training under Tiāntóng Rújìng, an eminent teacher of the Cáodòng lineage of Chinese Chan.

Upon his return to Japan, Dōgen began promoting the practice of zazen (sitting meditation) through literary works such as Fukanzazengi and Bendōwa. He broke relations with the Tendai School and later left Kyoto amid ongoing tensions with the school. He eventually founded Eihei-ji, one of the two head temples of the Sōtō school, in present-day Fukui Prefecture.

Dōgen is known for his extensive writings like the Shōbōgenzō (Treasury of the True Dharma Eye, considered his magnum opus), the Eihei Kōroku (Extensive Record, a collection of his talks), the Eihei Shingi (the first Japanese Zen monastic code), along with his Japanese poetry, and commentaries. Dōgen's writings are one of the most important sources studied in the contemporary Sōtō Zen tradition.

From Dōgen on Wikipedia

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Title	Speaker	Date
The Historical-Political Rise of Silent Illumination, Shikantaza, and the Embodied Experiencing of this Practice Silent Illumination, Japan, Dogen	Guo Gu	Jun 16 2026 City Center
The Great Miracle Jiryu Rutschman-Byler shares the story from Dogen Zenji’s chapter "Jinzu" about the “great supernatural accomplishments” of the Zen ancestors Guishan and Yangshan, as they... Intimacy, Dogen	Jiryu Rutschman-Byler	Jun 07 2026 Green Gulch Farm
Mountains Walk and Rivers Talk Roger Hillyard explores how Dogen's most poetic sutra, Mountains and Rivers, can help us practice with tragedy and lead us towards equanimity. Dogen	Henzan Roger Hillyard	Apr 01 2026 City Center
Everyday Enlightenment Through Dogen Serial: SF-12398 Talk by Shinshu Roberts at City Center on 2025-09-13 Dogen, Koan, Delusion	Shinshu Roberts	Sep 13 2025 City Center
Zen and Myth: Path to Wholeness Serial: SF-12424 Talk by Paul Haller Jonah Willihnganz at Tassajara on 2025-08-16 Monkey Mind, Dogen	Ryushin Paul Haller, Jonah Willihnganz	Aug 16 2025 Tassajara
Virya / Hypernormalisation Serial: SF-12432 07/13/2025, Gengyoko Tim Wicks, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Gengyoko Tim Wicks explores cultivating joyful energy in times of crisis, with reference to Eihei Dogen... Dogen, Gaining Mind	Gengyoko Tim Wicks	Jul 13 2025 Green Gulch Farm
Awakening Bodhi Mind: Eihei Koso Hotsuganmon, Part 2 Serial: SF-07288 06/13/2025, Monitsu Pamela Weiss, dharma talk at City Center. Monitsu Pamela Weiss explores the second section of the Eihei Koso Hotsuganmon by Dogen Zenji. Dogen, Gratitude	Monitsu Pamela Weiss	Jun 13 2025 City Center
Nothing in the Entire Universe Is Hidden Serial: SF-08096 03/29/2025, Abbot Dōshin Mako Voelkel, dharma talk at City Center. Abiding Abbot Dōshin Mako Voelkel explores how the spirit of Dogen’s “Tenzo Kyokun” extends beyond... Dogen, Tenzo Kyokun	Dōshin Mako Voelkel	Mar 29 2025 City Center
Nothing in the Entire Universe Is Hidden Serial: SF-08209 03/29/2025, Abbot Dōshin Mako Voelkel, dharma talk at City Center. Abiding Abbot Dōshin Mako Voelkel explores how the spirit of Dogen’s “Tenzo Kyokun” extends beyond... Tenzo, Dogen	Dōshin Mako Voelkel	Mar 29 2025 City Center
What is the Shape of My Mind? Serial: SF-08126 03/22/2025, Onryu Mary Stares, dharma talk at City Center. Onryu Mary Stares speaks about Eihei Dogen Zenji’s text “Tenzo Kyokun (Instruction to the Cook)” as part of the March... Tenzo Kyokun, Dogen	Onryu Mary Stares	Mar 22 2025 City Center
Zen Cooking: Sincerity and Beginner's Mind Serial: SF-08222 Talk by Edward Espe Brown at City Center on 2025-03-01 Cooking, Suzuki Roshi, Dogen	Edward Espe Brown	Mar 01 2025 City Center
Embracing Our Connectedness Serial: SF-08144 01/18/2025, Jisan Tova Green, dharma talk at City Center. This talk by Jisan Tova Green weaves together themes from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s sermons, teachings of... Dogen	Jisan Tova Green	Jan 18 2025 City Center
Flashing Moments of Impermanence Serial: SF-09539 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha Sessions Zen Mind Beginners Mind Kakuon on 2024-11-24 Dogen, Suzuki Roshi	Fu Schroeder	Nov 24 2024
Awake in Life's Fleeting Moments Serial: SF-09754 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha on 2024-11-24 Dogen, Suzuki Roshi	Fu Schroeder	Nov 24 2024
Acknowledging Karma and Taking Refuge in Buddha Serial: SF-08268 10/02/2024, Ryushin Paul Haller, dharma talk at City Center. Our narratives and our histories shape our conditioned being. Acknowledging this conditioning, we take Refuge... Dogen	Ryushin Paul Haller	Oct 02 2024 City Center
Awakening Through Zen Perception Serial: SF-08661 Talk by Ryushin Paul Haller at City Center on 2024-10-02 Dogen	Ryushin Paul Haller	Oct 02 2024 City Center
Zen’s Women Ancestors Serial: SF-08450 08/17/2024, Sokaku Kathie Fischer, dharma talk at City Center. In this dharma talk, given at Beginner’s Mind Temple, Kathie references Eihei Dogen's work, "Receiving the... Dogen	Sokaku Kathie Fischer	Aug 17 2024 City Center
Simply Sitting Serial: SF-08425 This talk was given at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center (Zenshinji) by Shindo Gita Gayatri. Shindo discusses the unique quality of zazen, and references Dogen's Fukanzazengi,... Zazen, Dogen	Shindo Gita Gayatri	Aug 16 2024 Tassajara
Simply Sitting Shindo Gita Gayatri discusses the unique quality of zazen, and references Dogen's Fukanzazengi, Thich Nhat Hanh and Ayurvedic medicine in her talk. Zazen, Dogen, Posture	Shindo Gita Gayatri	Aug 16 2024 Tassajara
Embracing the Flow of Existence Serial: SF-08269 Talk by Shindo Gayatri at Tassajara on 2024-08-14 Dogen	Shindo Gita Gayatri	Aug 14 2024 Tassajara
The Freedom of Each Moment and Existence Shindo Gita Gayatri reflects on times of change at Zen Center and in the wider world, using Dogen's fascicle Uji (Being Time) and the non-dual Advaita Vedanta teachings from her native India to... Sangha, Gratitude, Dogen	Shindo Gita Gayatri	Aug 14 2024 Tassajara
Mountains Belong To Those Who Love Them Joan Amaral invites everyone to cherish and enjoy the shared body practice of being in the mountains. Sangha, Dogen, Zazen	Joan Amaral	Aug 10 2024 Tassajara
The Bodhisattva’s Four Embracing Actions Serial: SF-08297 07/20/2024, Tenzen David Zimmerman, dharma talk at City Center. This talk was given at one of Beginner's Mind Temple’s pop-up events at Unity Church, by Central Abbot... Dogen, Bodhisattva	Tenzen David Zimmerman	Jul 20 2024 City Center
Beyond Painted Rice Cakes Serial: SF-08637 Talk by Bussho Salon Week Dan Gudgel Tim Wicks Kim Hart at City Center on 2024-07-17 Dogen, Emptiness, Zazen	Doshin Dan Gudgel, Kim Kogen Daiho Hart, Gengyoko Tim Wicks	Jul 17 2024 City Center
Unfolding Time as Buddha Nature Serial: SF-08640 Bussho Salon Buddha Nature, Dogen, Emptiness	Doshin Dan Gudgel, Kim Kogen Daiho Hart, Gengyoko Tim Wicks	Jul 10 2024 City Center
Zen Poetry: Beyond Words and Experience Serial: SF-08633 Bussho Salon Poetry, Dogen, Priest	Doshin Dan Gudgel, Kim Kogen Daiho Hart, Gengyoko Tim Wicks	Jul 03 2024 City Center
Decoding Dogen: Zen's Timeless Truths Serial: SF-08329 Talk by Bussho Salon Week Tim Wicks Kim Hart Dan Gudgel at City Center on 2024-07-03 Dogen, Buddha Nature		Jul 03 2024 City Center
Zen Interdependence and Cultural Tapestry Serial: SF-08412 Talk by Lucy Xiao at Tassajara on 2024-07-03 Dogen	Gendo Lucy Xiao 玄道	Jul 03 2024 Tassajara
Dogen's Legacy in Mappo Era Serial: SF-08595 Bussho Salon Week Dogen, Priest	Doshin Dan Gudgel, Kim Kogen Daiho Hart, Gengyoko Tim Wicks	Jul 03 2024 City Center
Bridging Taoism and Buddhism Universally Serial: SF-08651 Bussho Salon Buddha Nature, Dogen	Doshin Dan Gudgel, Kim Kogen Daiho Hart, Gengyoko Tim Wicks	Jul 03 2024 City Center
Embracing Dogen: Devotion Over Comprehension Serial: SF-08605 Bussho Salon Dogen, Buddha Nature	Doshin Dan Gudgel, Kim Kogen Daiho Hart, Gengyoko Tim Wicks	Jul 03 2024 City Center
On Keizan and his ‘Notes on What to Be Aware of in Zazen’ Serial: SF-08454 06/01/2024, Tenzen David Zimmerman, dharma talk at City Center. In this talk, given at Beginner's Mind Temple’s monthly one-day sitting, (this time held at Haight Street... Zazen, Dogen	Tenzen David Zimmerman	Jun 01 2024 City Center
Keizan's Path to Accessible Zen Serial: SF-08692 Talk by Tenzen David Zimmerman At Haight St Art Center Programs at City Center on 2024-06-01 Zazen, Dogen	Tenzen David Zimmerman	Jun 01 2024 City Center
Awakening Serenity: Zen Garden Insights Serial: SF-08647 Talk by Mitsue Nagase And Kazuaki Tanahashi at City Center on 2024-05-29 Japan, Dogen	Mitsue Nagase, Kazuaki Tanahashi	May 29 2024 City Center
Dragons love Ceremonies Serial: SF-08352 05/12/2024, Thiemo Blank, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. "This talk was presented by Thiemo on Mothers Day at the end of an introductory Sesshin (meditation retreat)... Ceremony, Dogen	Thiemo Blank	May 12 2024 Green Gulch Farm
Illuminating Zen: Dual Truths Awakened Serial: SF-09518 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha Sessions Koun Ejo Gui Spina on 2024-01-21 Dogen, Koan	Fu Schroeder	Jan 21 2024
Zen Threads: Weaving Teacher and Disciple Serial: SF-09543 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha Sessions Koun Ejo Gui Spina on 2024-01-21 Dogen, Koan	Fu Schroeder	Jan 21 2024
Awakening Through Zen's Subtle Light Serial: SF-09821 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha on 2024-01-21 Dogen, Transmission	Fu Schroeder	Jan 21 2024
Interconnected Zen: Exploring Beyond Dogen Serial: SF-09510 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha Sessions Uji Gui Spina on 2024-01-07 Dogen, Koan	Fu Schroeder	Jan 07 2024
Interconnected Zen: Avatamsaka to Dogen Serial: SF-09735 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha on 2024-01-07 Dogen, Koan	Fu Schroeder	Jan 07 2024
Zen Roots: Practice Anywhere, Anytime Dogen, Soto Zen	Tenzen David Zimmerman	2024
Embracing Being-Time Through Zen Wisdom Serial: SF-09523 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha Sessions Uji Gui Spina on 2023-12-17 Dogen	Fu Schroeder	Dec 17 2023
Zen's Present: Time and Being Serial: SF-09854 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha on 2023-12-17 Dogen	Fu Schroeder	Dec 17 2023
Awakening Through Beginner's Mind Serial: SF-08744 Talk by Paul Haller at City Center on 2023-12-09 Dogen	Ryushin Paul Haller	Dec 09 2023 City Center
Awakening Through Compassionate Absorption Serial: SF-08966 Talk by Paul Haller at City Center on 2023-12-09 Dogen	Ryushin Paul Haller	Dec 09 2023 City Center
Seasons of Zen and Impermanence Serial: SF-09546 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha Sessions Uji Gui Spina on 2023-12-03 Dogen	Fu Schroeder	Dec 03 2023
Passing Time in Ritual Harmony Serial: SF-09805 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha on 2023-12-03 Dogen	Fu Schroeder	Dec 03 2023
Unified Presence: Exploring Time and Being Serial: SF-09533 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha Sessions Uji Gui Spina on 2023-11-26 Dogen	Fu Schroeder	Nov 26 2023
Existence Unfolds in Timeless Now Serial: SF-09804 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha on 2023-11-26 Dogen	Fu Schroeder	Nov 26 2023
Embrace Time, Embody Enlightenment Serial: SF-09555 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha Sessions Uji Gui Spina on 2023-11-19 Dogen	Fu Schroeder	Nov 19 2023

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