Dogen's Vow: Dharma Study w/ Anzen Benjamin and Gareth

This study session focuses on discussing two questions. One is about the what, why, and how of vow. The other is about the reality that we often rely on translated source texts in our practice. We might not think much about either of these questions, but what if the reality is more complicated than that?

We will approach these questions through a short chant called "Dogen's Vow".

Dogen is a prolific author and founder of the 13th century founder of the Japanese Soto Zen tradition. "Dogen's Vow" is a mainstay of Soto Zen liturgy and we have been chanting a version of it these past 13 weeks on Monday mornings here at Red Clay's Vassa/Ango practice. Comprising of roughly 5 short paragraphs culled from different sections of a longer written piece by Dogen, its original intent was for use as a personal vow recited daily to anchor one's practice. It also raises deep questions on working with vows and practicing from texts in translation.

The event will include both chanting and short sitting meditation periods in order to promote discussion of our unique, individual responses to questions of vow and language.