The Zen Poetry of Dogen: Verses from the Mountain of Eternal Peace

by Dōgen, Steven Heine (Translator)

Although best known for zazen meditation, Dogen felt that poetry could act as a complement to the enlightenment experience, and this collection beautifully confirms this belief. Dogen scholar Steven Heine provides clear and revealing translations that capture Dogen's unique voice, echoing the master's Zen naturalist and aesthetic philosophy. More than a collection of enlightened poetry, this collection will appeal to both students and non-students of Buddhism alike.

Genres: Poetry, Buddhism, Zen, Nonfiction

183 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 1997

About the author

Dōgen Zenji (道元禅師; also Dōgen Kigen 道元希玄, or Eihei Dōgen 永平道元, or Koso Joyo Daishi) was a Zen Buddhist teacher and the founder of the Sōtō Zen school of Buddhism in Japan.

Reviews

[Ivan Granger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although best known for his Zen discourses and his role establishing Zen practice in Japan, Dogen was an excellent poet too. Quiet moments of insight expressed in a bare minimum of lines. One of my favorites.

[Marc Mannheimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know how I feel about notes, commentary, and appendices that take up half of a book. Intersting? Sure. Necessary? Questionable. But the poems themselves...what could I say about Dogen that isn't baby prattle? Nevertheless, known as a religious figure more than a poet, he's as clear as a bell to me but only 75% as entertaining as Ryokan, Issa, etc.

[Daniel Kephart · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rich survey of the poem's of Japan's most famous monk. Heine's analysis is impressive and draws out the connections between Dogen's Shobogenzo and his poetry in an effortless manner. I am not sold on the organization, however, which might have benefitted from shorter, more frequent chapter divisions.

[Nick McRae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is worth owning to get a look at the poetry of Dogen, but the poetry itself isn't nearly as satisfying as that coming from someone like Tu Fu, for example. But to get at the poetry of Dogen is definitely worth the price of admission.