For practitioners of Soto Zen, Dogen Zenji’s understanding of zazen can be elusive, evocative, and essential. What might Dogen have meant by samadhi? Reflecting in this way, what refracts through our zazen practice?

Using the jhanas of the Pali tradition as a reference point, we'll explore clues about Dogen's vision of samadhi using three key Shobogenzo fascicles: Kaiin Zanmai (Ocean Seal Samadhi), Zanmai o Zanmai (King of Samadhis Samadhi), and Bendowa (Talk on Pursuing the Way). We'll also consider his meditation instructions in light of the famous admonition of “studying seated Buddha.”

Some questions to consider as we explore: 

• In what way does Dogen's samadhi include an experience of the body and changing phenomena?

• Is Dogen’s samadhi the same as jhana?

• What might it mean to "study seated Buddha"?

• How does his vision illuminate our contemporary Soto Zen practice?

Recommended but not required: It will be especially helpful to read the three main fascicles, which will be distributed to participants before our session. We will refer mostly to the translations by the Soto Zen Text Project. 

All course sessions will be recorded, and registered participants will receive temporary access to the recordings for later viewing.

To register, find more information here.