DOGEN ZENJI.

Eiheji-genzenji-shingi. (Clear rules for the Zen monastery of Eiheji.)

Kyoto, 1801. 2 vols., 8vo (26.6 cm.), [58] and [70] xylographically printed leaves, sewn, and bound in the Japanese manner, several diagrams in the text, printed paper labels on upper covers; stitching renewed, wrappers covers a bit rubbed and worn; some minor ink stains internally; preserved in a new Japanese-style blue cloth folding case. These volumes contain the classical medieval regulations of Japanese Zen Buddhism, written by DÙgen Zenji (1200-1253), the famous founder of the Soto sect. The text is surrounded by a marginal gloss, probably compiled by Arai DaidÙ Sai whose name is printed on both rear inner covers. This copy is richly and neatly annotated by a learned 19th century monk in black and red ink, on 15 sheets and slips which have been tipped in, and also interlinearly and in the margins of the printed text. Dogen Zenji came from a noble family, but his life was unhappy and difficult, because his parents died when he was a boy. Their deaths lead him to contemplate the impermanence of life, and at the age of thirteen, he became a Buddhist monk. After training for nine years under the Rinzai teacher Myozen, Dogen made the arduous journey to China, where he studied with and became the Dharma successor to Master Tendo Nyojo (Ju-Ching, 13th Patriarch) in the Soto Zen lineage. Considered the founder of the Japanese Soto School, Dogen Zenji established Eiheiji, the principal Soto training monastery, and he was the founder of the Soto (T'sao Dong Ch'an) Lineage of Buddhism in Japan.

-- Rulon-Miller Books ABAA/ILAB

Book number: 26077

Keywords: Zen Buddhism Theology Asia Japan