Rice Eyes Enlightenment in Dogens Kitchen by Tai Sheridan is a poetic presentation of Dogen’s essay Tenzo Kyokun, Instructions to the Cook, by Zen Priest and Poet Tai Sheridan. ‘Rice Eyes’ is a metaphor for the non-dual world, the essential Buddhist experience of oneness. Dogen uses the role of Tenzo, or head cook, to demonstrate how to live, work, and experience a spiritual life that brings benefit to everyone.
From the book:
Dogen lived from 1200 to 1253. He was the founder of the Soto lineage of Zen in Japan, a school of Zen now firmly rooted in America and the West. His seminal essay, Instructions to the Cook (Tenzo Kyokun), is an important treatise on living an aware and joyful life while engaged in daily activities. ‘Rice Eyes’ is a metaphor for the non-dual world, the essential Buddhist experience of oneness. Dogen uses the role of Tenzo, or head cook, to demonstrate how to live, work, and experience a joyful spiritual life that brings benefit to everyone. I have called the head cook the ‘Chef de Cuisine’ so that the poem addresses everyone, not just monastic Zen chefs. I have transformed Dogen’s essay from prose into poetry, and have created subdivisions by topic that clarify his writing. I have also replaced his thirteenth century idioms with contemporary language and images to make his ideas more easily understood.
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Rice Eyes Enlightenment in Dogens Kitchen
What is the book Tenzo Kyokun about?
“Tenzo Kyokun,” also known as “Instructions for the Cook,” is a classic Zen Buddhist text written by the 13th-century Japanese Zen master Eihei Dogen, the founder of the Soto school of Zen Buddhism. The text is not just a set of instructions for the monastery cook (tenzo), but it is also a profound teaching on how to live a mindful and enlightened life.
One of the most striking aspects of “Tenzo Kyokun” is its emphasis on the ordinary task of cooking as a path to spiritual practice and awakening. Dogen teaches that every aspect of the preparation and serving of meals is a form of meditation and a way to practice mindfulness and compassion. He urges the cook to handle all ingredients with respect, as if they were precious, and to cook with a pure heart and a clear mind, free of distractions and selfish desires.
The interconnection of all things
The text is beautifully written, and its teachings are presented in a straightforward and practical manner that is accessible to readers of all backgrounds. Dogen’s insights into the nature of work, responsibility, and the interconnection of all things are profound and timeless. He shows that enlightenment can be found in the most mundane activities and that every action, no matter how small, has the potential to be a means of spiritual growth and self-realization.
“Tenzo Kyokun” is not only a guide for Zen practitioners but also a source of inspiration for anyone seeking to live a more mindful and meaningful life. It teaches the importance of being present in every moment and finding joy and fulfillment in serving others. It is a reminder that the path to enlightenment is not found in seeking extraordinary experiences but in fully engaging with the ordinary tasks and challenges of everyday life.
In conclusion, “Tenzo Kyokun” is a profound and timeless work that offers valuable wisdom for anyone interested in Zen Buddhism or the art of mindful living. Its teachings are as relevant today as they were in the 13th century, making it a must-read for those on a spiritual journey.
