Zen Philosophy of Mindfulness: Nen 念 according to Dōgen’s Shōbōgenzō

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to holistically comprehend the concept of nen 念 in the Zen philosophy of Dōgen (道元 1200–1253), which is one of the origins of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, in relation to his principal concepts. This article specifically investigates its usages in his masterpiece, Treasury of the True Dharma Eye (Shōbōgenzō 正法眼蔵), according to each step of the threefold wisdom (san-e 三慧); for mindfulness is a common thread among them and he presents the concept of “monshishū-shō 聞思修證”, of which shō 證 stands for “awakening”. It is revealed that Dōgen considers “study” (mon 聞) and “reflection” (shi 思) to be essential on the Buddhist path, as well as “practice” (shū 修), and that nen 念 in Dōgen’s philosophy is the self beyond the sense of body-mind or time, which can be attained after long cultivation. Also, the connections among nen 念 and his critical concepts such as “just sitting” (shikan taza 祇管打坐), “dropping off body-mind” (shinjin datsuraku 身心脱落), and “oneness of practice and awakening” (shūshō ittō 修證一等) are elucidated.

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