Dōgen on Meditation and Thinking: A Reflection on His View of Zen

By Hee-Jin Kim

Book Overview

Looks at Dōgen's writings on meditation and thinking.

Thirty years after the publication of his classic work Dōgen Kigen-Mystical Realist, Hee-Jin Kim reframes and recasts his understanding of Dōgen's Zen methodology in this new book. Through meticulous textual analyses of and critical reflections on key passages primarily from Dōgen's Shōbōgenzō, Kim explicates hitherto underappreciated aspects of Dōgen's religion, such as the ambiguity of delusion and also of enlightenment, intricacies of negotiating the Way, the dynamic functions of emptiness, the realizational view of language, nonthinking as the essence of meditation, and a multifaceted conception of reason. Kim also responds to many recent developments in Zen studies that have arisen in both Asia and the West, especially Critical Buddhism. He brings Dōgen the meditator and Dōgen the thinker into relief. Kim's study clearly demonstrates that language, thinking, and reason constitute the essence of Dōgen's proposed Zen praxis, and that such a Zen opens up new possibilities for dialogue between Zen and contemporary thought. This fresh assessment of Dōgen's Zen represents a radical shift in our understanding of its place in the history of Buddhism.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0791469263
• ISBN13: 9780791469262
• Release Date: November 2006
• Publisher: State University of New York Press
• Length: 186 Pages
• Weight: 0.62 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.3" x 9.0"
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Dogen and Hee Jin Kim

This book is a superior explication of Dogen Zenji's teachings. Dogen, known as one of the most difficult to understand Zen masters has also become known as one of the most profound thinkers to put word to paper. If you have more than a fleeting interest in Zen or Dogen, this is a fine companion to accompany you on the way. Professor Kim helps us gain insight into the, sometimes confusing world of Dogen and Zen. If you enjoy this book, Hee-Jin Kim's first book Dogen Kigen; Mystical RealistDogen Kigen: Mystical Realist (Monographs of the Association for Asian Studies) should also find a home in your library.

striving for understanding

Kim advances my understanding of Dogen's reasoning. I have long been baffled by Abe's critical assertion that Dogen's Zen view of Dharma/Buddha-nature is naive. Abe, in "A Study of Dogen," contrasted Dogen's view with Shinran's view. (In simple terms, Dogen's view emphasizes self-power (works); whereas Shinran's view emphasizes other-power (grace).) Abe seemed to assert that Dogen's view merely naively encompassed the development of understanding the Dharma/Buddha-nature through realizing the inverse evil nature of human striving--surrendering basic human evil self-nature, as Shinran would see it, to rely exclusively on other-power (grace) for salvation. But according to Abe, Shinran is likewise naive, because a true understanding must exist in breaking through both Buddha (other-power/God?) and Mara (self-power/Satan?). Hmmm. Now, Kim gives some clarification to Abe's supposed conundrum by discussing the functioning of thinking/not thinking/nonthinking and reason. Kim points out that Dogen meant that even a wrong/evil view was a function of reason, a "misguided striving for reason" to be sure, but nonetheless reason that Dharma-nature embraces, rather than abandons. This seems to refute Abe's view that Dogen naively encompassed the "inversely corresponding development of the Dharma" (a vow in other-power that redeems even evil persons.) To me, Kim's formulation of "not thinking" as "that thinking which is not/beyond thinking" supports a view that Dogen was not as naive as Abe sees him. "Not thinking" is not the absence or simple negation of "thinking," but a "thinking" that informs "thinking" of its own fundamental limitations. I would say that "not thinking" is a "thinking of the not type." In any event, Kim's book can really make one think.

Hee-Jin Kim is THE MASTER when it comes to Eihei Dogen

Hee-Jin Kim's first book, "Eihei Dogen: Mystical Realist," is still THE BOOK on Eihei Dogen and his teachings, but with his publication of "Dogen on Meditation and Thinking: A Reflection on His View of Zen," it is no longer the ONLY book. This may be the most important work on the Zen teachings of the founder of Soto Zen in Japan in more than a decade. This latest book by Kim is a masterly work. He not only clarifies, and amplifies many of the major points of "Mystical Realist," he adds a wealth of new and often astonishing insight. Thirty years after his landmark book on Dogen, Kim shares the wisdom of a lifetime of study and meditation on Dogen's Zen. He provides the reader with a lucid, detailed, and understandable guide to some of the most powerful Zen teachings of Dogen, including explications on: The nondual unity of delusion and enlightenment Dogen's view (and mastery) of words, letters, language and expression Dogen's view on "the human condition" The dynamics of realization The important differences between "duality" and "dualism" Dogen's masterful use of Zen koans Dogen's view of "the essential practice" Dogen on "original" vs. "acquired" enlightenment And much more... Hee-Jin Kim uses Dogen's extraordinary studies of Zen koans, recent scholarship, and his own lifetime experience of studying Dogen's writings, to bring us into the very heart and mind of this amazing Zen master. Every sentence is packed with insight, from his powerful explication on the nondual nature of practice and enlightenment, to his comments on the current state of Dogen studies. In this work, Kim is even more straightforward than he was in "Mystical Realist." When he points out some of the things that "have been grossly overlooked by pratitioners and scholars alike," he does not pull any punches. With gentle, but firm and exacting language, Kim points out some of the glaring defects of much of the "Zen practice" being carried out in the name of Eihei Dogen at present. With no less precision, Kim dismantles some of the flawed presumptions at work in the scholarly communities, especially some of those offered by the proponents of "Critical Buddhism" within the Soto Zen academia. While the book remains focused on Zen master Eihei Dogen's teachings concerning meditation, thinking, not-thinking and nonthinking, the reader will be rewarded with information not found elsewhere in English. If I could give it 10 stars, I would. It is an essential book for any serious student of Zen. In fact, you should get at least two copies because, like "Mystical Realist," it is a book you will find yourself returning to so often you are bound to wear it out. Thank you Dr. Kim for sharing your profound knowledge and wisdom on this great Zen master! (Also, please re-print your other great book, Flowers of Emptiness. It is a goldmine of insights!)