Simple Zen. C.Alexander Simpkins

I did not receive permission to stay.”

      Dogen tried to persuade him saying, “Wouldn’t it be better to meditate and study koans? What good does it do to work so hard at cooking?”

      The tenzo monk laughed, “Good foreigner, you seem to be ignorant of the true meaning of Zen!”

      Naively, Dogen asked, “What is the true meaning of Zen?”

      The monk answered, “Once you can answer your own question, you will understand Zen.”

      Dogen did not yet understand that Zen is in everything we do, be it cooking, cleaning, or sitting in meditation. He was so moved and inspired by the cook that he later considered cook an honored position at his monasteries.

      Myozen and Dogen went to the temple where Eisai had his enlightenment. But Dogen did not feel satisfied, and so he ventured forth to seek a deeper understanding. He heard about Ju-ching (1163-1228), an abbot at the T’ien-t’ung temple who was considered to be a master of pure Zen. Ju-ching valued sitting awarely in meditation above all else. As a follower of the T’sao-tung tradition (Soto Zen), Ju-ching was against Rinzai’s use of koans and its emphasis on sudden enlightenment. Dogen spent many long hours meditating, but was unable to become enlightened. One day while he was meditating another student fell asleep. The Master reprimanded the student saying, “How do you expect to be enlightened when you are dozing?” Upon hearing this, Dogen experienced enlightenment. Suddenly, he understood what the cook had meant: the quality of practice was most important. This became one of the primary axioms in the teachings of Dogen’s Soto Zen: Practice is not separate from enlightenment. Enlightenment and practice are one.

      Ju-ching recognized Dogen’s enlightenment and sent him forth as dharma heir to teach Soto Zen in Japan. He encouraged Dogen to avoid cities and politics. He exhorted Dogen to remain pure above all and to practice fiercely. Young Dogen did not follow his teacher’s advice at first. Upon his return to the Kennin-ji Monastery in Kyoto, Dogen attempted to gain political acceptance for Soto Zen in that city. Unsuccessful in influencing politics, Dogen withdrew to an outlying province, where he found he could best teach and spread Zen.