''Shōbōgenzō Zuimonki'' (), sometimes known by its English translation ''The Treasury of the True Dharma Eye: Record of Things Heard'', is a collection of informal

Dharma talks A Dharma talk (Sanskrit) or Dhamma talk (Pali) or Dharma sermon (''Japanese'': , ''Chinese'': ) is a public discourse on Buddhism by a Buddhist teacher. In Theravāda Buddhism, the study of Buddhist texts and listening to Dhamma talks by monks o ...

given by the 13th century Sōtō Zen monk Eihei Dōgen and recorded by his primary disciple Koun Ejō from 1236 to 1239. The text was likely further edited by other disciples after Ejō's death. The work is generally considered to be the easiest to understand of Dōgen's due to its concrete examples and the infrequent use of

allusion Allusion is a figure of speech, in which an object or circumstance from unrelated context is referred to covertly or indirectly. It is left to the audience to make the direct connection. Where the connection is directly and explicitly stated (as ...

metaphor A metaphor is a figure of speech that, for rhetorical effect, directly refers to one thing by mentioning another. It may provide (or obscure) clarity or identify hidden similarities between two different ideas. Metaphors are often compared wit ...

, and

word play Word play or wordplay (also: play-on-words) is a literary technique and a form of wit in which words used become the main subject of the work, primarily for the purpose of intended effect or amusement. Examples of word play include puns, phonet ...

characteristic of his other writings. According to

Shōhaku Okumura Shōhaku Okumura (, born June 22, 1948) is a Japanese Sōtō Zen priest and the founder and abbot of the Sanshin Zen Community located in Bloomington, Indiana, where he and his family currently live. From 1997 until 2010, Okumura also served as ...

, a modern Zen priest, the fundamental message in Dōgen's talks is the importance of seeing

impermanence Impermanence, also known as the philosophical problem of change, is a philosophical concept addressed in a variety of religions and philosophies. In Eastern philosophy it is notable for its role in the Buddhist three marks of existence. It is ...

. Dōgen also stresses the importance of monastic practice with a group of practitioners, practicing for the sake of the

Buddhadharma Buddhism ( , ), also known as Buddha Dharma and Dharmavinaya (), is an Indian religion or philosophical tradition based on teachings attributed to the Buddha. It originated in northern India as a -movement in the 5th century BCE, and gra ...

alone, gainless

zazen ''Zazen'' (literally " seated meditation"; ja, 座禅; , pronounced ) is a meditative discipline that is typically the primary practice of the Zen Buddhist tradition. However, the term is a general one not unique to Zen, and thus technicall ...

, intentional

poverty Poverty is the state of having few material possessions or little income. Poverty can have diverse social, economic, and political causes and effects. When evaluating poverty in ...

, and taking steps to benefit others. Several different versions of the ''Shōbōgenzō Zuimonki'' exist. The most widely read was first published in 1770 by

Menzan Zuihō Menzan Zuihō (, 1683–1769) was a Japanese Sōtō Zen scholar and abbot of the Zenjo-ji and Kuin-ji temples active during the Tokugawa period. Born in Ueki, Kyushu, Menzan was the most influential Sōtō Zen writer of his time and his work con ...

, a highly influential Zen scholar monk. This text is known as the ''rufu-bon'', which means "popular version". A second, older version is called the ''Chōenji-bon'', or "Chōen-ji version" after the temple in

Aichi Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of Honshū. Aichi Prefecture has a population of 7,552,873 () and a geographic area of with a population density of . Aichi Prefecture borders Mie Prefecture to the west, Gifu Prefectur ...

where it was discovered in 1942 by Dōshū Ōkubo. This version was not available to the public until it was published by Chikuma Shobō with a

modern Japanese Modern may refer to: History *Modern history ** Early Modern period ** Late Modern period *** 18th century *** 19th century *** 20th century ** Contemporary history * Moderns, a faction of Freemasonry that existed in the 18th century Philosophy ...

translation in 1963.

English translations

Reiho Masunaga produced an English translation in 1975.

References

External links

Shobogenzo Zuimonki
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shobogenzo Zuimonki Soto Zen Zen texts Kamakura-period books about Buddhism Dōgen