Seminar by Taigen Dan Leighton: Dogen’s Expressing the Dream Within the Dream

Seminar held by our emeritus guiding teacher Taigen Dan Leighton, entitled “Dogen’s Expressing the Dream Within the Dream.” In this seminar, we will discuss the stimulating essay “Expressing the Dream Within the Dream” (Muchu Setsumu) by Eihei Dogen (1200-1253), founder of Japanese Soto Zen. This writing describes the importance of expression for Dogen, and also turns inside out conventional Buddhist views of awakening as being opposed to dream states or delusions. Dogen advocates awakening right in the middle of dreams, simply another aspect of consciousness not to be denigrated. Dogen says, “Expressing the dream within a dream is itself the buddhas and ancestors.” This is one of many examples of Dogen exposing dualistic prejudices, even in traditional Buddhism. Additionally, we will explore Medieval Japanese Buddhist views of dreams as vehicles for Bodhisattva communication, and discuss the importance of dreams for two rough contemporaries of Dogen. Myo-e (1173-1232), a Japanese Avatamsaka and Vajrayana monk, kept a forty-year dream journal celebrated by modern Jungians. Keizan (1264-1325), three generations after Dogen in our lineage and considered the second founder of Japanese Soto, performed ordinations and located new temples based on information from dreams.

Please register for this seminar using the form below. Suggested donation is $50, but sliding scale available to all, less or more is welcome. All are invited regardless of insufficient funds.