Did Dōgen Go to China? Problematizing Dōgen's Relation to Ju-ching and Chinese Ch'an
According to traditional accounts, the foundation of Dōgen's 道元 approach to Zen was formed during his travels to China from 1223 to 1227 and through the attainment of enlightenment under the tutelage of master Ju-ching 如淨. How much do we really know about this trip that is not rooted in Sōtō 曹洞...
| Published in: | Japanese journal of religious studies |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Nanzan Institute
[2003]
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| In: |
Japanese journal of religious studies
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| Further subjects: | B
Travel
B Abbots B Zen Buddhism B Religious Studies B Monasteries B Sectarianism B Mentoring B Temples |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (kostenfrei) |
| Summary: | According to traditional accounts, the foundation of Dōgen's 道元 approach to Zen was formed during his travels to China from 1223 to 1227 and through the attainment of enlightenment under the tutelage of master Ju-ching 如淨. How much do we really know about this trip that is not rooted in Sōtō 曹洞 sect hagiography? Why are there contradictions in modern biographical studies of Dōgen about whether he traveled between the Five Mountains temples in China by land or by a sea route? Are accounts of Dōgen's trip not similar to the "Travels" of Marco Polo, another thirteenth-century visitor of China and observer of Chinese religions, which has been questioned by recent historiographical studies? This paper examines a variety of documents and materials, including the Tokugawa-era Teiho Kenzeiki zue 訂補建撕記図絵 as interpreted by Nara Yasuaki and the recent award-winning book by He Yansheng on Dōgen's relation to China, in addition to cataloguing a variety of works by Dōgen dealing with his journey and impressions of Ju-ching. |
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| Contains: | Enthalten in: Japanese journal of religious studies
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