The Dark Side of the Mirror: Forgetting the Self in Dōgen's Genjō Kōan

by David Brazier, Henk Barendregt (Preface)

Genjō Kōan is the most important chapter in Zen master Dōgen's principal major work, the Shōbōgenzō. Although Genjō Kōan has been translated into English many times, and is familiar to Buddhists both east and west, it is still not well understood. This new commentary by Buddhist teacher and author David Brazier draws back the curtain revealing the deeper meaning of the text in language that will be as transparent to the general reader as it is informative to the specialist. The Dark Side of the Mirror reveals the pivotal principle at the heart of Dōgen's Zen and shows how his revelation of it was rooted in his personal experience, as well as in the religious consciousness of his time. For Dōgen scholars, Brazier provides a wealth of previously unpublished connections within Dōgen's thought, resolving knotty problems of interpretation. For Zen practitioners, Genjō Kōan reveals the meaning of satori and the way that it irreversibly commits the practitioner to a life-long 'going forth' in the service of all sentient beings. For the general reader it provides a unique insight into Japanese and Chinese medieval religion and, through this prism, throws light upon spirituality and spiritual experience universally.

328 pages, Paperback

Published June 18, 2019

About the author

authority on Buddhist psychology, spiritual teacher, Buddhist priest, commentator, author, poet, psychotherapist, traveller, President of Instituto terrapin Zen internacional (ITZI), Head of the Amida Order, co-ordinator of the Eleusis centre in France, patron of the Tathagata Trust in India, has written nine books and many chapters, papers and articles.

Reviews

[Irene Jurna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dit boek gaat over Boeddhisme, yin en yang, en Dōgens kerntekst ‘Genjō Kōan’.

Brazier begint met een uitgebreide beschrijving over het leven van Dōgen, die Zen Boeddhisme van China naar Japan bracht. Deze context vormt de basis voor de uitleg van de Genjō Kōan later in het boek.

Genjō Kōan vertelt over verlichting. En hoe verlichting zich manifesteert: ‘’Dōgen explains how easy everything can be. Simply adopt the yin position, appreciate the Dharma all around one and stop being self-centered. That is all.’’

Dōgen, via Brazier en alle andere Buddha’s, nodigt je uit om vrij te leven. Een boodschap die al lezend tegelijkertijd rijk, verwarmend en nederig bij me binnenkwam. En bijna als vertrouwd.

Ik wens je groot vertrouwen bij het lezen van The dark side of the mirror.

[Buddhasamāgama · Rating 5 out of 5]

taught me beauty

a beautiful book. I am currently reading (very slowly) the Shobogenzo, and it is changing my life. this book is just the perfect accompaniment on a journey such as this

thank you David

[Skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing read! Our Zen Center spent countless months- almost a year- studying this book and it was rewarding all the way through.