Resources from Genzo-e

“The miracles I am speaking of are the daily activities of buddhas, which they carry out tirelessly.”

— Dogen Zenji

Dogen Zenji brought Soto Zen practice from China to Japan in the thirteenth century. His writings have come to be known world-wide for their poetic and paradoxical language, and penetrating depth. Studying Dogen together we can widen and deepen our perspectives on practice. 

In Japanese a gathering to study Dogen's Shobogenzo is called a Genzo-e, so after years of having an annual Dogen study retreat we are finally brave enough to use the term. The weekend retreat has grown into a month-long intensive. In 2024 we studied and practiced with two very long fascicles, "Continuous Practice", parts one and two. For 2025 year we chose several short fascicles, beginning with “Miracles". Our aim was to introduce Dogen’s teaching in a way that is accessible and relevant to our daily lives.

Links to readings below.

  • Reading for opening weekend with Myoshin Kate McCandless, Feb. 15-16 “Miracles” Fascicle 26 in Tanahashi translation, for PDF click HERE

  • Reading for Wednesday evenings with Myoshin Kate McCandless “Expressing the Dream within the Dream” Tanahashi translation, for PDF click HERE.

  • Reading for Sunday mornings with Shinmon Michael Newton, “Going Beyond Buddha” Tanahashi translation. For PDF click HERE.

  • Reading for closing weekend with Shinmon Michael Newton, March 15-16 “The Moon” For PDF click HERE

    Other translations

  • Treasury of the True Dharma Eye, Soto Zen Text Project, click HERE “Spiritual Power” “Talking of a Dream within a Dream” “Beyond the Buddha” “The Moon”

  • Shobogenzo, Nishijima/Cross translation, click HERE “Jinzu” “Muchu Setsumu” “Butsu Kojo Ji” “Tsuki”