Journal of My Study in China
When I was young I aroused the aspiration for enlightenment and visited various monasteries in my country. I had some understanding of the principle of cause and effect; however, I was not able to clarify the real source of Buddha, dharma, and sangha. I was only seeing the outer forms, the marks, and names. Later I entered the chamber of Eisai, Zen master Senko, and for the first time heard the teaching of the Linji School.
Over the years we have shared many teaching dialogues, most often in the format of an unknown student questioning a very well know Zen Master. This is one of the most unique dialogues we have, taken from Dogen’s own journal covering his years of study in China with Master Rujing.