The Bodhisattva’s Four Embracing Actions - Tenzen David Zimmerman - Dharma Talk

[@juanzuccoli]

Thank you for your time and patience! Thank you for sharing this wisdom!

[@leonstenutz6003]

4:00 Dogen: Founder Soto Zēn. 13th century Japanese buddhist zen monk. Wrote Shishobo Genzo in 1243.

[@leonstenutz6003]

5:00 SHISHOBO:* Unifying, Integrative Way or Method: Four ways of embracing & unfying all beings. 5:30 Four Actions: 1. Giving 2. Kind speech 3. Beneficial Action 4. Identity Action ... *Other translations: 4 methods of guidance; 4 integrative methods of social relations or social integration. ... Related sources: Lotus Sutra Theravada Pali Canon

[@MrTetsukobu]

From my studies and experience, I believe Dogen exhibited traits of an obsessive-compulsive personality, which is clearly apparent in the chapter "Senjou" of the Shobo Genzo. This behavior seems to have been transmitted to his disciples, as evidenced by the numerous ritualistic and seemingly irrelevant practices observed at Eiheiji in Japan. While I acknowledge and endorse his Kensho based on my own experience, I suspect that something changed in his mental state after returning to Japan and confronting the challenging situations with the warrior monks. This shift may have influenced him to write the Shobo Genzo, which I find to be overly complex and nonsensical. It is not necessary to take my word for it-read the text yourself, and you’ll see the extent of his confusion. Many who do not understand the text end up commenting or writing more nonsense, perpetuating the delusion. If mere verbosity were conducive to Kensho, then the entire monkhood would surely have achieved satori. Roshi Tetsukobu Musashi Rinzai School of Zen Abbot of Gokanji, Tokyo