Dōgen

Dōgen (1200-1253) was a Japanese Buddhist monk and the founder of the Soto school of Zen Buddhism. He is known for his deep writings on meditation and the nature of reality, especially in his work "Shōbōgenzō," which explores the concept of "being present" through practices like zazen (sitting meditation). Dōgen emphasized the importance of everyday life as the path to enlightenment, advocating that every action can be a form of mindfulness. His teachings remain influential in modern Zen practice, highlighting the relationship between practice and understanding.