Materializing the Zen Monastery

This chapter explores the ways in which the supposedly inert materials of the monastic compound are understood to function as unique vehicles for awakening. It examines Dōgen’s Talk on Pursuing the Way (Bendōwa), dated 1231, and observes how the material universe (the five phases of earth, water, fire, wood, and metal, as well as yin-yang theory and feng shui geomancy) is invoked to envision a new, biaxial Zen temple layout in Japan. It also considers how Dōgen redeploys these material categories, and even alludes to Chinese contract pledges (fu), to seal the deal with his potential patrons in Japan. Finally, it reflects on Dōgen’s preferred phrase of “grasses and trees” (sōmoku), which he often substituted for the idea of zazen practice-realization in and as the monastery itself.