Deep Insights into Dogen's Shobogenzo: Zen and Non-Duality
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Understanding Spiritual Practice
What does it mean to engage in spiritual practice? How do realization and practice relate to one another? Are they the same or inherently different? These inquiries are addressed through the wisdom of the 13th-century Zen Master Dogen in his seminal work, the Shobogenzo.
Dogen synthesizes two primary schools of Mahayana Buddhism: the Yogacara, which views consciousness as the basis of reality, and the Tathagatagarbha tradition, asserting that all beings possess Buddha nature. Although Dogen does not overtly reconcile these views, his unique non-dual approach to reality, selfhood, and enlightenment acts as a bridge between them. The universal mind that all beings express is, fundamentally, Buddha nature.
His teachings highlight the non-dual nature of practice and realization, affirming the inherent Buddha nature within all beings. He articulates a dynamic understanding of "Being-time," offering insights that challenge the perceived separations between subject and object, mind and world, or ultimate and conventional truths. This holistic perspective aligns with a deeper understanding of the Dharma.
In the Shobogenzo's first chapter, "Fukanzazengi," Dogen questions conventional interpretations of practice and realization:
> "The way is originally perfect and all-pervading. How could it be contingent upon practice and realization? The Dharma vehicle is utterly free and untrammeled. What need is there for concentrated effort?" (Dogen, 2002, p. 2).
This statement suggests that reality, and the Buddha nature within it, is complete and perfect. If this is so, why practice? If truth is ever-present, what purpose does concentrated effort serve?
However, Dogen's inquiry does not negate the significance of practice; it reframes its essence. The notion that there exists a domain separate from "the world's dust," where practice is unnecessary, is itself misleading. For Dogen, practice is not a path to a distant goal but rather the expression of the perfection that is always present. He states, "It is never apart from you right where you are" (Dogen, 2002, p. 2).
This perspective represents a radical shift, even within traditional Buddhism. It suggests that practice is the very fabric of everyday experience, accessible in every moment and situation. Consequently, practice and realization are inseparable; practice embodies realization in every breath and action.
However, this does not imply that practice is devoid of effort. Instead, it calls for a different form of effort—one that is centered on full presence, awareness, and engagement in each moment. This effort arises from releasing preconceived notions and the sense of separation.
In Zazen, practitioners sit amidst the "world's dust," not to escape it but to embrace it fully. Thoughts, feelings, and sensations arise without the urge to change or eliminate them; one simply coexists with them, allowing them to be. In doing so, the illusion of separation and the false notion of a self striving to attain something else begin to dissolve.
The Nature of Practice and Realization
In "Fukanzazengi," Dogen states, "And yet if there is the slightest discrepancy, the Way is as distant as heaven from earth" (Dogen, 2002, p. 3). This might initially suggest a duality, a separation between the practitioner and the Way, implying an unreachable state if one is not perfectly aligned with it.
Yet, this distance is merely an illusion, stemming from perception—a sense of separation where none truly exists. In reality, the Way is always present, and Buddha nature is fully available. The "slightest discrepancy" reflects this completeness.
A fundamental theme in Dogen's thought is the non-duality of practice and realization, as well as the self and Buddha nature. The self perceived as separate from the Way or the myriad phenomena is, in itself, an illusion, creating a false sense of distance.
How does one navigate this illusion in practice? Dogen emphasizes Zazen as the cornerstone of his teachings. But Zazen is not merely a technique to achieve some distant goal; it embodies the goal itself. Through this practice, the illusory nature of self and discrepancy becomes clearer. Each moment, the inherent unity of self and other, practice and realization, begins to be felt.
This realization is not a singular event or a permanent state but a continuous unfolding. The experience of kensho, or seeing one's true nature, occurs in degrees. Even profound realizations are not endpoints but fresh beginnings, which is why Dogen underscores the importance of ongoing practice—the unceasing engagement with the Buddha Dharma. Each moment of practice is a complete expression of the Way while also offering opportunities to deepen realization.
Often, it seems that such ceaselessness continues even when one is unaware of it—indeed, this lack of awareness is part of the realization process, as one cannot remain in Zazen perpetually.
While conceptual understanding can aid practice by providing a framework, Dogen warns against reifying these concepts as absolute truths. They are tools to be utilized and then released.
Kazuaki Tanahashi discusses Zen and non-duality, offering insights into the relationship between meditation and realization.
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Explore the principles of nonduality within Zen practice, emphasizing interconnectedness and the nature of reality.