Seminar by Taigen Dan Leighton: The Soto Zen Five Positions

Online Seminar taught by Ancient Dragon Zen Gate emeritus guiding teacher Taigen Dan Leighton. We will discuss the Five Positions (or 5 Degrees or Ranks) first presented by Dongshan Liangjie (807-869; Jpn.: Tozan Ryokai), founder of the Chinese Soto Zen lineage, Caodong Chan [pronounces Tsaodong] in Chinese. This formulation of the five-fold dialectical process of the practical integration between the phenomenal reality of particulars with the wholeness of the universal, ultimate reality is the philosophical underpinning of the whole Soto tradition. The five positions teaching is also celebrated in the Rinzai Zen tradition. The seminar will be based on material from Taigen’s book “Just This Is It: Dongshan and the Practice of Suchness” (Shambhala).

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.