Seminar led by Taigen Dan Leighton: Shobogenzo – Painting of a Rice Cake

Seminar held by our emeritus guiding teacher Taigen Dan Leighton, entitled “Dogen’s Painting of a Rice Cake.” We will discuss this provocative essay by Eihei Dogen (1200-1253), founder of Japanese Soto Zen. This writing comments on an old Zen saying, “A painting of a rice cake does not satisfy hunger.” Traditionally this was seen as encouraging experience of “the real thing,” not mere descriptions or comments on reality, mere paintings. But Dogen turns inside out conventional Buddhist views of awakening. (Spoiler alert) In this entertaining and skillful essay Dogen ends up saying, “ONLY a painted rice cake can satisfy hunger.” He arrives at this startling conclusion via discussing painted satisfaction and painted hunger, cutting through to the roots of desire. He expands this to the phenomenal world of mountains and water, as strange rocks and wondrous stones are used to paint mountains, for example. This is one of Dogen’s many writings that expose dualistic prejudices, even in traditional Zen.

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.