Zen Questions : Zazen, Dogen, and the Spirit of Creative Inquiry

Whether speaking of student or master, Zen hinges on the question. Zen practice does not necessarily focus on the answers, but on finding a space in which we may sustain uncertainty and remain present and upright in the middle of investigations. Zen Questions begins by exploring "The World of Zazen, "--The foundational practice of the Zen school--presenting it as an attitude of sustained inquiry that offers us an entryway into true repose and joy. From there, Leighton draws deeply on his own experience as a Zen scholar and teacher to invite us into the creativity of Zen awareness and practice. He explores the poetic mind of Dogen with the poetry of Rumi, Mary Oliver, Gary Snyder, and even "the American Dharma Bard" Bob Dylan. What's more, Leighton uncovers surprising resonances between the writings of America's Founding Fathers--including Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin--and the liberating ideals at the heart of Zen.;""Contents""; ""Preface""; ""Part 1: The World of Zazen""; ""Zazen as Inquiry""; ""Zazen Mind and Transformative Function""; ""Hongzhi, DÅ?gen, and the Background of Shikan Taza""; ""Zazen as Enactment Ritual""; ""The Gateway to Repose and Joy""; ""Part 2: Reflections on Eihei DÅ?gen""; ""Reflections on Translating DÅ?gen""; ""The Practice of GenjÅ?kÅ?an""; ""Practicing the Awesome Presence of Active Buddhas""; ""Expressing the Dream within the Dream""; ""Zen Rule-Bending and the Training for Pure Hearts""; ""Part 3: Commentaries on DÅ?genâ€?s Extensive Record"" ""Contents"" ""Preface"" ""Part 1: The World of Zazen"" ""Zazen as Inquiry"" ""Zazen Mind and Transformative Function"" ""Hongzhi, DÅ?gen, and the Background of Shikan Taza"" ""Zazen as Enactment Ritual"" ""The Gateway to Repose and Joy"" ""Part 2: Reflections on Eihei DÅ?gen"" ""Reflections on Translating DÅ?gen"" ""The Practice of GenjÅ?kÅ?an"" ""Practicing the Awesome Presence of Active Buddhas"" ""Expressing the Dream within the Dream"" ""Zen Rule-Bending and the Training for Pure Hearts"" ""Part 3: Commentaries on DÅ?genâ€?s Extensive Record"" ""Speak Softly, Speak Softly""""DÅ?genâ€?s Five-Part Approach to Zazen"" ""Almost Not Confused by Self"" ""Readying the Ox"" ""Dropping Body-Mind, and the Pregnant Temple Pillars"" ""Practice-Realization-Expression"" ""Part 4: Zen Expressions"" ""Rumiâ€?s Words of Love"" ""Bob Dylanâ€?s Visions of Zen Mind"" ""Making Yourself into a Light"" ""Gary Snyder and Wild Practice"" ""Part 5: American Zen Engagement"" ""Liberation and Eternal Vigilance"" ""Consumerism and the Bodhisattva Precepts"" ""Meeting Our Ancestors of the Future"" ""Collective Karma and Systemic Responses to Climate Disruption""""Enlightened Patriotism and Right Livelihood"" ""Chapter Sources"" ""Endnotes"" ""Index"" ""About the Author"" Contents 8 Preface 10 Part 1: The World of Zazen 18 Zazen as Inquiry 20 Zazen Mind and Transformative Function 30 Hongzhi, Dōgen, and the Background of Shikan Taza 42 Zazen as Enactment Ritual 52 The Gateway to Repose and Joy 66 Part 2: Reflections on Eihei Dōgen 76 Reflections on Translating Dōgen 78 The Practice of Genjōkōan 84 Practicing the Awesome Presence of Active Buddhas 92 Expressing the Dream within the Dream 106 Zen Rule-Bending and the Training for Pure Hearts 116 Part 3: Commentaries on Dōgen’s Extensive Record 126 Speak Softly, Speak Softly 128 Dōgen’s Five-Part Approach to Zazen 142 Almost Not Confused by Self 152 Readying the Ox 160 Dropping Body-Mind, and the Pregnant Temple Pillars 172 Practice-Realization-Expression 182 Part 4: Zen Expressions 194 Rumi’s Words of Love 196 Bob Dylan’s Visions of Zen Mind 206 Making Yourself into a Light 220 Gary Snyder and Wild Practice 230 Part 5: American Zen Engagement 238 Liberation and Eternal Vigilance 240 Consumerism and the Bodhisattva Precepts 250 Meeting Our Ancestors of the Future 260 Collective Karma and Systemic Responses to Climate Disruption 272 Enlightened Patriotism and Right Livelihood 278 Chapter Sources 284 Endnotes 288 Index 300 About the Author 304 Zen is about questioning. Zen continuously questions. This does not necessarily involve finding answers, but finding a space in which to sustain questioning, being willing to remain present and upright in the middle of questions. And being able to do this enables live more flexibly, spaciously, and kindly with our not-knowingOf course at times insights and responses appear, sometimes more frequently as we settle into the open spaciousness of meditation. But if the answers are worthy they allow more questions, or help foster readiness for the new questions offered by the world, by life Zen is about questioning. Zen continuously questions. This does not necessarily involve finding answers, but finding a space in which to sustain questioning, being willing to remain present and upright in the middle of questions. And being able to do this enables live more flexibly, spaciously, and kindly with our not-knowing. Of course at times insights and responses appear, sometimes more frequently as we settle into the open spaciousness of meditation