The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07.
Dgen
(d´gn) (KEY) , 1200–1253, Zen master (see Zen Buddhism) and founder of the St Zen school in Japan. After studying in China, he received the seal of enlightenment and succession to the Ts’ao-tung (St) school. In 1236 he established the first independent Zen temple in Japan. St Zen stresses zazen, sitting meditation, based on the Buddha’s own practice. Whereas for Rinzai Zen koans are a means to enlightenment, St stresses the identity of practice and attainment. Dgen, unlike many Zen masters, stressed practice without rejecting scripture.
See H.-J. Kim, Dgen Kigen, Mystical Realist (1975); Y. Yokei, Zen Master Dgen (1976); F. Cook, How to Raise an Ox (1978); C. Bielefeldt, Dgen’s Manuals of Zen Meditation (1988); G. Snyder, The Teachings of Zen Master Dogen (1992).
gen
n) (KEY) , 1200–1253, Zen master (see Zen Buddhism) and founder of the S
