In this dharma talk Kodo gives a very accessible summary of Zen Master Dogen’s "Bendowa" ("On the Endeavor of the Way"). The Bendowa is a seminal essay that articulates the heart of Soto Zen practice as brought from China to Japan in the early 13th century. In this work, Dogen emphasizes the supreme importance of zazen, or seated meditation, asserting it as the very embodiment of enlightenment rather than a means to an end. Through a question-and-answer format, Dogen addresses doubts and misconceptions about the practice, clarifying that all beings inherently possess Buddha-nature and that enlightenment is not something to be attained in the future, but realized here and now through wholehearted practice. He challenges the view that meditation is only for the elite or monks, insisting that the genuine endeavor of the Way is accessible to everyone, regardless of status or learning. Dogen also discusses the direct transmission of the Dharma from Shakyamuni Buddha through the generations, affirming that authentic practice and realization are inseparable. Ultimately, "Bendowa" urges the practitioner to let go of dualistic thinking and to trust in the subtle, transformative power of simply sitting, as this is the gateway to true understanding and liberation.

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