“It doesn’t matter whether you are intelligent or stupid. There’s no difference between a dull or smart person. Sincere concentrated effort is, in itself, the Way.”

– Dogen

No diluted, dumbed-down or sugarcoated version of Zen teaching and practice will be found here! Contemporary Zen teacher Philippe Coupey offers readers a clear, strong and useful commentary on the Fukanzazengi –– the short basic classic on how to practice zazen, written by the Master Dogen in 1227. Coupey’s approach to this timeless teaching is based in the work of his own distinguished master, Taisen Deshimaru, the Japanese Soto Zen teacher who brought Zen to Europe. What’s new here is that the text has been put into everyday English, and given a contemporary context by the author.

Based on Buddha’s teachings and venerated in the Zen tradition, this text is regularly recited in Zen temples. Though brief, it remains a source of inspiration and guidance for both beginners and advanced students as it has for centuries. Dogen invites the practitioner to give up intellectual understanding and simply direct light inward.

Fukan means recommended for everyone, so this is not an esoteric work limited to priests and monks

Zazen is the practice of sitting meditation

Gi is law or principles