Founder or eminent monk
Dōgen Zenji
道元禅師
Dōgen went to Song China, studied under Nyojō Zenji, and after returning conveyed the teaching of zazen. He wrote works such as the Shōbōgenzō and opened Daibutsu-ji, which was later renamed Eihei-ji. In the Sōtō school he is revered as one of the two founders.
In the Sōtō school, Dōgen Zenji and Keizan Zenji are called the two founders (ryōso) and are revered together with Shakamuni Butsu as "one buddha and two founders" (ichibutsu ryōso).
English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む
Conveying the teaching of zazen
After returning, Dōgen wrote the Fukan Zazengi and conveyed the practice of zazen. He opened a place of practice at Kōshō-ji in Uji, and later moved to Echizen and trained disciples.
Source: 曹洞宗
Daily conduct, too, as practice of the Buddha way
The Sōtō school teaches that, with zazen at the center, everyday conduct is to be valued as the conduct of a buddha. The quiet time on this site is an entry point for turning one's thoughts to that teaching; it is not a place for formal zazen instruction.
Source: 曹洞宗
Learning conveyed in the Shōbōgenzō
Dōgen kept writing the Shōbōgenzō, conveying the state and practice of the Buddha way. The Sōtō school holds in esteem both Dōgen and Keizan, who later broadened the foundations of the order.
Source: 曹洞宗
A half-length figure gazing diagonally upward
The image of Dōgen Zenji introduced by Fukui Prefecture shows a half-length figure facing diagonally up to the left. The illustration on this site is also based on that posture.
Source: 福井県
Related shrines and temples
Related kami and buddhas
Sources (in Japanese)
- 曹洞宗「概要・歴史」（2026-10-15 確認）
- 曹洞宗「宗旨・教義」（2026-10-15 確認）
- 福井県「絹本著色 道元禅師図像」（2026-10-15 確認）