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Virtual dharma study intensive: Dogen Zenji Goroku
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This text is a version of the Eihei Koroku with a very interesting history; there are important differences between the Goroku and the Koroku, and these differences will be the focus of the two upcoming Intensives. Learn more in the dropdown menu below.
The schedule (see right) consists of one lecture and Q & A period each morning from 10 - noon ET on ten weekday mornings, online via Zoom with Okumura Roshi.
Registration is open below. |
Artwork by Jikei Kido.
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learn more about the dogen zenji goroku
The Goroku is a selection of jodo (formal dharma hall discourses), shosan (informal discourses), hogo (dharma words), and Chinese poems from Eihei koroku (Dogen's Extensive Record). It was selected after Dogen's death. One of his disciples, Kangan Giin, took the Eihei koroku manuscript to China, and asked Gion (義遠) one of Dogen's dharma brothers who had also been under the guidance of Tiantong Rujing (the teacher from whom Dogen received transmission), to write an introduction. Gion was the person who had earlier sent a copy of the Recorded Sayings of Tiantong Rujing to Dogen. Gion selected about 10% of the Eihei koroku and wrote an introduction and postscript; two other Chinese masters wrote postscripts. This text was published as a woodblock print in 1358 by the sixth abbot of Eiheiji, Donki. It was one of the earliest publications of a Soto Zen text. After that, the text was widely read; Eihei koroku was too large and was not published until the 17th century. There are some important and interesting differences between the Dogen Zenji Goroku and Eihei koroku.
Logistics and further information
What is the dharma study intensive?
The dharma study intensive is the successor to the genzo-e retreats led by Okumura Roshi a few times a year in-person at Sanshin and other dharma centers between 2002 and 2019, and online between 2020 and 2023. Since stepping down from day to day temple leadership in the summer of 2023, Okumura Roshi's main live teaching activity has become the twice-yearly virtual dharma study intensive. Because it is helpful to understand the practice container you are stepping into, it should be noted that this event is oriented differently than the previously-held genzo-e.
While the genzo-e included scheduled periods of zazen in addition to the twice-daily lectures, all within a concentrated communal retreat structure, the dharma study intensive is specifically focused on the study aspect of our four primary areas of practice (zazen, work, study, and ritual). For this event, our shared activity consists simply of one online lecture and Q & A with Okumura Roshi each morning for ten days.
This shift provides a less strenuous schedule for Okumura Roshi, and also a more loosely structured practice container for participants. Registrants are thus encouraged to take this as an opportunity to consider for themselves how best to integrate lecture attendance with their own schedule of personal study, zazen, and any ongoing daily activities and responsibilities.
You are welcome to participate via Zoom in the regular practice schedule being carried out here at Sanshinji before most of the lectures, as your own schedule and time zone allow (see schedule on the right side of this page).
Note also that, unlike genzo-e, these lectures may explore other Soto Zen texts and topics in addition to Dogen's Shobogenzo, all in support of deepening our understanding and practice of zazen and its functioning in our daily lives.
"When I began genzo-e, I thought it was dangerous to sit as much as we do at Sanshinji without understanding the deep meaning of zazen practice taught by Dogen Zenji. For me, zazen is the main thing; studying Dogen Zenji's teachings supports intensive zazen practice. Intellectual understanding only without sitting is not so meaningful."
-- Okumura Roshi
While the genzo-e included scheduled periods of zazen in addition to the twice-daily lectures, all within a concentrated communal retreat structure, the dharma study intensive is specifically focused on the study aspect of our four primary areas of practice (zazen, work, study, and ritual). For this event, our shared activity consists simply of one online lecture and Q & A with Okumura Roshi each morning for ten days.
This shift provides a less strenuous schedule for Okumura Roshi, and also a more loosely structured practice container for participants. Registrants are thus encouraged to take this as an opportunity to consider for themselves how best to integrate lecture attendance with their own schedule of personal study, zazen, and any ongoing daily activities and responsibilities.
You are welcome to participate via Zoom in the regular practice schedule being carried out here at Sanshinji before most of the lectures, as your own schedule and time zone allow (see schedule on the right side of this page).
Note also that, unlike genzo-e, these lectures may explore other Soto Zen texts and topics in addition to Dogen's Shobogenzo, all in support of deepening our understanding and practice of zazen and its functioning in our daily lives.
"When I began genzo-e, I thought it was dangerous to sit as much as we do at Sanshinji without understanding the deep meaning of zazen practice taught by Dogen Zenji. For me, zazen is the main thing; studying Dogen Zenji's teachings supports intensive zazen practice. Intellectual understanding only without sitting is not so meaningful."
-- Okumura Roshi
- Lectures will be carried out on weekday mornings only, with no lecture on the mornings of Saturday (Oct 31) and Sunday (Nov 1).
Daily Schedule
10 weekday mornings
Oct 26 - 30 & Nov 2 - 6
Times are US Eastern Time.
10:00 AM Opening chant & lecture
11:30 Question & Answer
12:00 PM Closing chant & bow out
10:00 AM Opening chant & lecture
11:30 Question & Answer
12:00 PM Closing chant & bow out
You are also welcome to join via Zoom in the regular weekday morning practice schedule that will be carried out here at Sanshinji before each of the lectures:
6:10 am Zazen
7:00 am Kinhin
7:10 am Zazen
8:00 am Robe chant
8:05 am Service
8:30 am Reading from Shobogenzo Zuimonki, announcements, soji (cleanup)
8:45 am Bow out
6:10 am Zazen
7:00 am Kinhin
7:10 am Zazen
8:00 am Robe chant
8:05 am Service
8:30 am Reading from Shobogenzo Zuimonki, announcements, soji (cleanup)
8:45 am Bow out
- Each lecture recording will be made available to participants before the next day's lecture begins, and will remain available to participants for a period of one month after the conclusion of the dharma study intensive. In other words, if you are unable to attend the lectures live, your registration will allow you to follow along according to your own schedule.
- We are not able to accommodate visiting practitioners in-person for these lectures. A small group of people directly involved in carrying out the event will be present in the zendo. Registration is for virtual participation only.
- About a week before the first lecture, those who have registered will receive a link to the Resource Page containing Zoom links and the downloadable materials needed for this event, including Okumura Roshi's translation of the text and the opening and closing chants.
If you have any further questions after reading the information on this page, please feel free to contact us.
Computer skills checklist
In order to participate successfully, you will need to be able to do the following:
- Sign into your Zoom account and join a meeting
- Bookmark and return to a web page
- Download and print or retrieve documents
- Mute your computer's microphone
- Adjust the volume of your computer speaker or headset
Things to consider before you register
The lectures assume that participants have the following:
The first one or two lectures are often entirely devoted to background and context for the fascicle or topic under consideration. If you are joining the intensive somewhere in the middle, be aware that you will be without this groundwork and may have trouble picking up the thread of the presentations.
Although we do our best to provide high quality audio, Okumura Roshi speaks somewhat softly and with an accent, and you will be listening over Zoom. If you're concerned about your ability to follow his lectures, you may wish to watch some of his Sunday talks, available on our YouTube channel, before deciding to register. Using headphones may make it easier to listen and understand.
There will be basic help available by chat & email if you have technical issues related to participating in the online segments. Please make sure you have the basic computer skills listed above before the event begins. Our ability to solve technical difficulties on your end is limited.
If you have any questions after thoroughly reading the information on this page, please feel free to contact us.
- An established zazen practice
- An understanding of basic Buddhist teachings
- The computer skills outlined in the "Computer Skills Checklist" above
The first one or two lectures are often entirely devoted to background and context for the fascicle or topic under consideration. If you are joining the intensive somewhere in the middle, be aware that you will be without this groundwork and may have trouble picking up the thread of the presentations.
Although we do our best to provide high quality audio, Okumura Roshi speaks somewhat softly and with an accent, and you will be listening over Zoom. If you're concerned about your ability to follow his lectures, you may wish to watch some of his Sunday talks, available on our YouTube channel, before deciding to register. Using headphones may make it easier to listen and understand.
There will be basic help available by chat & email if you have technical issues related to participating in the online segments. Please make sure you have the basic computer skills listed above before the event begins. Our ability to solve technical difficulties on your end is limited.
If you have any questions after thoroughly reading the information on this page, please feel free to contact us.
Registration --->There are two designated payment amount options associated with your registration: base and sponsor.
Base contributions are calculated to cover the operating costs associated with the event and Sanshin's daily operations. Sponsor contributions help our temple maintain financial sustainability while welcoming practitioners unable to offer the base amount. There is also an option to offer what you can, below or above these designated amounts, based on your own circumstances and discernment. Everyone's sincere participation and practice is appreciated. |