Zen Master Dogen's Genjokoan: Practice and Enlightenment

Описание: Zen Master Dogen's Genjokoan
What if enlightenment isn’t somewhere else—but exactly where you already are?

In this episode, we explore a powerful passage from Genjokoan by the great zen master Dogen, using his famous metaphor of the fish in water and the bird in air. At first glance, the imagery feels simple. But beneath it lies a radical teaching about practice, life, and realization.

Dogen challenges the common assumption that spiritual awakening is a destination to reach. The fish never reaches the “end” of water. The bird never finds the boundary of the sky. And yet, neither is incomplete. Through this lens, Genjokoan reveals a profound insight: practice is not a path to enlightenment—it is the expression of enlightenment itself.

In this video, we examine:

• What Dogen means by “practice-enlightenment”
• Why the fish and bird metaphor dismantles spiritual striving
• The relationship between limited life and boundless realization
• How Genjokoan reframes what it means to “progress” in Zen

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re “getting closer” to awakening—or felt like something is still missing—this teaching from zen master Dogen may shift the entire framework.

Whether you’re new to Zen or deeply engaged in studying Genjokoan, this exploration invites you to reconsider what it means to practice, to live, and to awaken.

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