Zen was popularized in the West largely through the writings of Dr. D.T. Suzuki, who followed the school of Rinzai Zen. Although it remains relatively unknown in the West, Soto Zen eventually attracted the greatest number of followers in Japan. With its gentle, more intellectual approach, Soto Zen relies on deep meditation (zazen) rather than the "sudden," direct method (using koan) of Rinzai Zen, in striving for enlightenment.
The Shobogenzo...
Your options for studying Dogen's thought are few. I believe that this collection of essays compiled by Mr. Cleary is an excellent one. This work contains a much smaller number of essays than that of the actual Shobogenzo. I think that Mr. Cleary has done a good job with his selection of essays for this book. This book offers the reader a very nice cross section from the whole of the original work. I like his translations...
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A useful "best of" selection of Dogen's enormous masterwork. Cleary is generally dependable in this venture. While not as comprehensive as "Moon in a Dewdrop", the book has the virtue of fitting very neatly into a backpack. As 'wisdom imparts wisdom to wisdom', highly recommended.
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For casual or beginning students, a very useful, selected 'best of', summary type of collection. Cleary appears dependable in this venture. Moon in a Dewdrop is more complete, but does not fit in the backpack nearly as well.
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Thomas Cleary has translated 13 of the 95 chapters of Dogens masterpiece, Shobogenzo, in this wonderful book. Besides the general introduction at the beginning of the book, he provides a modest but succinct introduction to each chapter, and footnotes at the end of each chapter. He has chosen 13 of the best chapters, including such classics as Genjokoan, and Uji. The only flaw is the fact that there now remain 82 chapters...
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