Dogen's Formative Years in China: An Historical Study and Annotated Translation of the Hokyo-ki Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Dogen's Formative Years in China: An Historical Study and Annotated Translation of the Hokyo-ki? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Dogen's Formative Years in China: An Historical Study and Annotated Translation of the Hokyo-ki. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Dogen's Formative Years in China: An Historical Study and Annotated Translation of the Hokyo-ki ReviewKodera's engaging book is an annotated translation and study of Dogen's Hokyo-ki, recording Dogen's formative years - both prior to - and during his trip to Sung China, in search of an 'authentic teacher.' It thus relates details of Dogen's meeting with Master Ju-ching (Tendo Nyojo) at the Ching-te monastery on Mount T'ien-tung. Being the most formative influence upon Dogen's early career, such an account will have an obvious appeal among those currently engaged with Dogen's teachings, in the West.
In translation, the core text of the Hokyo-ki is short, comprising 27 pages. The bulk of Kodera's text - 258 pages in all, is taken up with annotations and analyses, an extensive bibliography (listing primary Chinese sources, Japanese sources, modern sources in several languages) - plus an edited version of the 'Chinese' (kanbun) Hokyo-ki text.
Kodera's translation is flawless, the annotations helpful, the analyses for the most part, well informed. While sympathetic in his treatment of Dogen, Kodera occasionally notes problematic aspects of Dogen's thought. For example, there are certain discrepancies between Dogen account of Ju-ching's teaching in the Hokyo-ki - and what appears - independently of the Hokyo-ki, in Chinese records. Kodera touches on Dogen's criticism of Ta-hui - a leading Lin-chi master of the Sung. However, as with Hee Jin Kim's study (Dogen:Mystical Realist)such issues remain unresolved - shelved as an aporia. Given Dogen's rather polemical turn of mind after 1243, which went hand-in-hand with an endeavour to re-invent or redefine himself -vis-a-visother schools - such matters deserved better attention. Despite the pluralistic outlook found in the Shobogenzo Zuimonki, the Hokyo-ki finds Dogen claiming that the Soto (Ts'ao-tung) school alone, has preserved the transmission of 'True Dharma-eye' - with certificates of succession, to 'prove' it. This is prob-lematic, and needed further clarification. Hence - the 'four stars' rating.Dogen's Formative Years in China: An Historical Study and Annotated Translation of the Hokyo-ki Overview

Want to learn more information about Dogen's Formative Years in China: An Historical Study and Annotated Translation of the Hokyo-ki?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now