Steven Heine: Dogen: Life and Creative Process (Part 1 of 4)

Series Description: Zen Master Dogen initiated an uncompromised Zen monastic tradition in Japan almost eight hundred years ago. In addition, he was a sublime thinker. How he came up with his most creative and thought-provoking writings is a matter of great wonder. In celebration of Steven Heine’s definitive research, Dogen: Japan’s Original Zen Teacher, we explored Dogen’s poetry, essays, symbolism, and practice interwoven with his life stories and new findings. Gathered for this unique program is the great Dogen scholar Steven Heine and Dogen translator Kazuaki Tanahashi; as well as, Roshi Enkyo O’Hara, Roshi Joan Halifax, and Ruth Ozeki, all of whom cherish the writings of Dogen and the deep wisdom he shares on the power of practice. This remarkable one-day program will be a feast of Dogen’s great contribution to Buddhism and life. Episode Description: Dogen scholar Steven Heine is interviewed by Sensei Kaz Tanahashi about his most recent book, Dogen: Japan’s Original Zen Teacher. Professor Heine discusses Dogen’s creative process, his writing style, his childhood, and his journey through China. He also shows us photos of what some of Dogen’s 13th century traveling tools, including a wooden backpack, would have looked like. And: Steven, Roshi Joan Halifax, and Taigen Dan Leighton have an extensive conversation on the similarities between Dogen and Bob Dylan. To access the resources page for this program, please sign up by clicking here. To access the entire series, please click on the link below: Upaya Podcast Series: Dogen: Life and Creative Process 2022