Bendova: a Separate Text or an Introduction to Shōbōgenzō?

Abstract

: The treatise that now opens Dōgen’s opus magnum “Shōbōgenzō” – it’s “Bendōwa” chapter, composed in 1231. This was not so though till the end of the XVII c. Comparative analisys of three “Shōbōgenzō” chapters – “Bendōwa”, “Zenki” (1243) and “Hachi dainin gaku” (1253) – allows to see the changes in Dogen’s position: from dealing with his own Self to the complete dissipation and unity with the world at nirvana stage (“stages of Dogen’s enlightenment”). First, “Bendōwa” shouldn’t be considered only as an introduction to “Shōbōgenzō”, because it reflexes 25-30 years old Dogen’s mindset, which is far away from his further view of the world. Second, the article deals with Chinese origins of Dogen’s creed and philosophy in the light of “sudden/gradual enlightenment” polemics.