Nippon

Eiheiji Temple
Eiheiji, the "temple of eternal peace" is one of Soto Zen's two head temples. It is
located deep in the mountains near the rugged west coast of Japan, not far from
Fukui City.
Dogen Zenji, the founder of Eiheiji, was born in 1200 A.D. When he was 24, he
went to China and devoted himself to true Zen practice under the strict guidance
of Nyojo Zenji at Mt. Tendo. After having "dropped off both body and mind",
realizing the way of the Buddha, he returned home in 1228. He had lived at
Kenninji temple for 3 years, and then founded his first temple, Kosho-Horinji, in
Uji, Kyoto.

In 1244 Dogen Zenji and his followers visited Shii-no-sho in Echizen (now Fukui
prefecture) to build a mountain temple. He was offered land and other help for
this by Yoshishige Hatano, a samurai who was one of his most devoted lay
followers. Dogen Zenji thus founded Eiheiji, where he devoted himself to training
his followers in the perfection of Zen practice in every action of daily life.

He died on September 29, 1253, leaving a number of noted books including the
Shobogenzo, Gakudo Yojinshu, and Eihei Dai Shingi.

Dogen Zenji's authentic Zen has been scrupulously observed by his successors.
Even today, both priests and lay people devote themselves to his practice of
Shikan-taza ("just sitting").