Zen Questions : Zazen, Dogen, and the Spirit of Creative Inquiry

by Leighton, Taigen Dan

• ISBN13: 9780861716456
• ISBN10: 0861716450
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-11-22
• Publisher: Wisdom Publications

Summary

Whether speaking of student or master, Zen hinges on the question. Zen practice does not necessarily focus on the answers, but on finding a space in which we may sustain uncertainty and remain present and upright in the middle of investigations. Zen Questions begins by exploring "The World of Zazen,"--the foundational practice of the Zen school--presenting it as an attitude of sustained inquiry that offers us an entryway into true repose and joy. From there, Leighton draws deeply on his own experience as a Zen scholar and teacher to invite us into the creativity of Zen awareness and practice. He explores the poetic mind of Dogen with the poetry of Rumi, Mary Oliver, Gary Snyder, and even "the American Dharma Bard" Bob Dylan. What's more, Leighton uncovers surprising resonances between the writings of America's Founding Fathers--including Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin--and the liberating ideals at the heart of Zen.

Author Biography

Taigen Dan Leighton is a Soto Zen priest and Dharma heir in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi. He is the author of Faces of Compassion and Visions of Awakening Space and Time: Dogen and the Lotus Sutra and leads the Ancient Dragon Zen Gate in Chicago.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
The World of Zazen
Zazen as Inquiry	p. 3
Zazen Mind and Transformative Function	p. 13
Hongzhi, Dogen, and the Background of Shikan Taza	p. 25
Zazen as Enactment Ritual	p. 35
The Gateway to Repose and Joy	p. 49
Reflections on Eihei Dogen
Reflections on Translating Dogen	p. 61
The Practice of Genjokoan	p. 67
Practicing the Awesome Presence of Active Buddhas	p. 75
Expressing the Dream within the Dream	p. 89
Zen Rule-Bending and the Training for Pure Hearts	p. 99
Commentaries on Dogen's Extensive Record
Speak Softly, Speak Softly	p. 111
Dogen's Five-Part Approach to Zazen	p. 125
Almost Not Confused by Self	p. 135
Readying the Ox	p. 143
Dropping Body-Mind, and the Pregnant Temple Pillars	p. 155
Practice-Realization-Expression	p. 165
Zen Expressions
Rumi's Words of Love	p. 179
Bob Dylan's Visions of Zen Mind	p. 189
Making Yourself into a Light	p. 203
Gary Snyder and Wild Practice	p. 213
American Zen Engagement
Liberation and Eternal Vigilance	p. 223
Consumerism and the Bodhisattva Precepts	p. 233
Meeting Our Ancestors of the Future	p. 243
Collective Karma and Systemic Responses to Climate Disruption	p. 255
Enlightened Patriotism and Right Livelihood	p. 261
Chapter Sources	p. 267
Endnotes	p. 271
Index	p. 283
About the Author	p. 287
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