Rational Zen: The Mind of Dogen Zenji (Shambhala Dragon Editions)
by Thomas Cleary

5 out of 5 stars Essential Translations From Both of Dogen’s Great Records AA++, November 6, 2008

Thomas Cleary’s, Rational Zen: The Mind of Dogen Zenji, is a treasure trove of some of the greatest Japanese Zen texts from both of the important records of the Great Zen Master, Eihei Dogen.

The thirteenth century Zen master, Eihei Dogen (considered by the Japanese Soto school as the founder of Soto Zen in Japan) has been the subject of a vast amount of study and research by scholars as well as the Zen orthodoxy in recent decades–and not without reason! As Cleary demonstrates in this excellent collection of translations, Dogen was easily one of most original and important Zen masters, not just in Japan, but in the entire history of Zen.

Rational Zen contains of supurb selection from Dogen’s two most important records: Shobogenzo (Treasury of the True Dharma-Eye), one of the most important Buddhist texts in the history of Buddhism (as well as the most important philosophical text ever created in Japan); and “Eihei Koroku” (Dogen’s Extensive Record) which is now available in English (see, Leighton & Okumura).

In this book, Cleary debunks the widespread misunderstanding of Zen as being irrational, mystical, or anti-intellectual. Rational Zen contains translations by this thirteenth-century Zen master that highlight the intellectual and rational aspects essential to for the authentic practice/realization of Zen. Cleary’s usual excellence is augmented with a rich collection of comprehensive notes and profoundly insightful commentary.

Bottom Line: Essential reading for all serious Zen students/practitioners. A treasure trove of Zen wisdom that can be mined for a lifetime!

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