Shōbōgenzō · Volume I
Japanese Sōtō · Dōgen
This is the first volume of Gudo Nishijima and Chodo Cross’s translation of Dōgen’s Shōbōgenzō, covering chapters 1–21.
Contents
- 1. Bendōwa · p. 3
- 2. Maka-hannya-haramitsu · p. 31
- 3. Genjō-kōan · p. 41
- 4. Ikka-no-myōju · p. 49
- 5. Jū-undō-shiki · p. 59
- 6. Soku-shin-ze-butsu · p. 65
- 7. Senjō · p. 75
- 8. Raihai-tokuzui · p. 89
- 9. Keisei-sanshiki · p. 109
- 10. Shoaku-makusa · p. 127
- 11. Uji · p. 143
- 12. Kesa-kudoku · p. 157
- 13. Den-e · p. 195
- 14. Sansuigyō · p. 217
- 15. Busso · p. 235
- 16. Shisho · p. 245
- 17. Hokke-ten-hokke · p. 263
- 18. Shin-fukatoku (The Former) · p. 289
- 19. Shin-fukatoku (The Latter) · p. 297
- 20. Kokyō · p. 313
- 21. Kankin · p. 341
Translations & sourcesEditions & translators
Start with chapters 1–21 in BDK’s free PDF. This is the first of four volumes, with links to the remaining volumes.
Edition & attribution
This is a brief introduction to these texts, not a translation.
Introductions, reflection questions and added section headings are editorial material, separate from the attributed translation.
The opening image is AI-generated nature artwork created for Buddhist Atlas. It is an evocative companion, not a depiction of the text’s historical setting.
The linked publisher provides the text and its usage terms.
Connections
Guru Viking3
- Ep357: Zen Is Good For Nothing - Muho
Reference checked in a machine transcript of the official podcast audio.
Source
- Ep329: The Western Path - Alan Chapman 2
Reference checked in captions.
Source
- Ep155: Hardcore Zen - Brad Warner
Reference checked in a machine transcript of the official podcast audio.
Source
People & teachers4
- Dōgen
Author of the teaching essays collected in the Shōbōgenzō.
Source
- Reb Anderson
Teaches on this text:
- Genjo Koan of DelusionNames this text
- Matthew Kozan Palevsky
Teaches on this text:
- SESSHIN: Genjokoan (Part 4 of 4)Names this text
- SESSHIN: Genjokoan (Part 3 of 4)Names this text
1 more connected teachings
- Immediately Yourself: A Month with Dogen’s GenjokoanNames this text
- Joan Halifax
Teaches on this text:
- SESSHIN: Genjokoan (Part 2 of 4)Names this text
Traditions & history4
- Japanese Sōtō Zen
The Japanese Sōtō tradition associated with Dōgen’s work.
Source
- Chan · Seon · Thiền · Zen
Study context: this text is included in the Atlas guide to Chan · Seon · Thiền · Zen.
- Japanese Zen
Study context: this text is included in the Atlas guide to Japanese Zen.
- Sōtō
Study context: this text is included in the Atlas guide to Sōtō.
Books1
- Opening the Hand of Thought
A modern Sōtō practice companion on wholehearted sitting.
Source
Topics2
- Emptiness & not-self
Explore Emptiness & not-self across the Atlas.
- Mindfulness & awareness
Explore Mindfulness & awareness across the Atlas.
Make yourself comfortable
About this textContext & reading guide
Dōgen’s collection of teaching essays explores Buddhist practice, language, time, embodiment and realization.
A recurring theme is that practice and realization cannot simply be separated into a means now and an achievement later.
The essays use scriptural citations, Chan stories and challenging turns of language. Reading often benefits from attention to an individual essay’s setting.
This is a Japanese teaching collection, not a Pāli discourse or an Indian Mahāyāna sūtra. It is central to Dōgen’s later reception in Sōtō.