Wisdom within Words

Abstract

Abstract This book is the first complete bilingual edition and annotated translation of the poetry collection entitled Mystery within Words (Kuchūgen), which features 149 Chinese-style verses (kanshi) written by Dōgen Zenji (1200–1253), founder of the Sōtō Zen sect in early medieval Japan. These poems are very important for highlighting several key aspects of Dōgen’s manner of thinking and process of writing. Dōgen composed Sinitic poetry throughout all stages of his career at both Kōshōji temple in Kyoto and Eiheiji temple in the remote mountains for various purposes. These aims included reflections on meditation during periods of reclusion, commenting on cryptic kōan cases, eulogizing deceased patriarchs, celebrating festivals and seasonal occasions, welcoming new administrative appointees at the temple, remarking on the life of the Buddha and other aspects of attaining enlightenment, and offering capping phrases that help highlight prose teachings or instructions. Although Dōgen’s poetry has often been overlooked by the sectarian tradition, even though this collection was edited by the most eminent Edo period scholar-monk, Menzan, this style of writing should now be regarded in relation to the valuable roles that poetry played in the development of East Asian Buddhist contemplative life.