Dogen's Shobogenzo Zuimonki

“Shohaku Okamura’s ongoing work of translation and commentary has for many years shaped my understanding of Dogen’s teaching. A deeply devoted Zen priest, his careful scholarship is matched by the modesty, straightforwardness, and thoroughness of his interpretations. Shobogenzo Zuimonki is two important volumes in one: part 1 is the Zuimonki itself, Dogen’s informal instructions to his close disciples, freshly translated with lucid comments and notes; and part 2 is the first full translation of Dogen’s waka poems to include extensive Buddhist commentary, referencing a range of Dogen’s other writings. I am thrilled and grateful to have both these important new additions to Dogen in English; they will give readers a much fuller appreciation of the range of this great master’s expression.”

“I offer profound praise for Dogen’s Shobogenzo Zuimonki and for this wonderful new translation and commentary by Shohaku Okumura Roshi. For many Zen students of my generation these inspiring words were our first extensive experience of the writings of Dogen Zenji. Now we have a fresh translation of this masterpiece, along with insightful commentary, to inspire and guide our practice in the twenty-first century. May Dogen’s Dharma wheel continue to turn for the welfare of this world.”

“This translation is not only Dogen’s instructions, handwritten by his successor Ejo and transmitted to us.  It’s as if the reader were there over and over again with the myriad examples and instructions straight from Dogen. With the combination of Dogen’s poetry, this gives a light and creative quality.  I was struck by the simplicity of Okumura-roshi’s presentation, which is the profundity of Zen. This book will stand and speak as a classic—openly shared and digested for the true Zen student.”

“This book is a long overdue new translation of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Zuimonki, his informal Dharma talks, and perhaps his most accessible teachings, as recorded by his disciple Ejo. Shohaku Okumura brings extensive Zen practice and scholarship to this translation offering footnotes, biographies, and commentary. An added bonus to this book is the addition of Okumura’s evocative translations and commentaries on Dogen’s waka poems. If you are a Dogen fan, this book is a must for your library.”

“For those who endeavor to negotiate wholeheartedly the Way of Dogen Zen, a new work by the incomparable scholar-practitioner Shohaku Okumura is cause for celebration and gratitude. This superb edition of the Shobogenzo Zuimonki, based on the 1644 Choen-ji version of the informal talks that Dogen’s celebrated disciple Ejo recorded after joining Kosho-ji in 1234, consummately expresses the treasures of the true Dharma eye. Dogen counsels us only to speak when we have something to say that ‘is beneficial to both yourself and others,’ and Okumura and his editor Doju Layton demonstrate that this is a jewel that exceeds all commerce.”

“Shohaku Okumura Roshi has produced a tremendously useful and easily understandable translation of this important work about the teachings of Dogen Zenji. It’s accessible and practical. In the Shobogenzo Zuimonki we get to see a different side of Dogen from the one Dogen presents in his own writings. This is Dogen the way one of his closest students saw him. Dogen’s student, Ejo, asks Dogen the kinds of questions I would like to have asked Dogen. The answers are often surprising and illuminating. Having the Japanese text to refer to is a wonderful addition for those of us nerds who like to check the original language.”