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 Nyojozenji at Mt.Tendo. After having "dropped off both body and mind", realizing the way of the Buddha, he returned home in 1228. He lived at Kenninji temple for 3 years, 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 Prefecuture) to build a mountain temple. He was offerd land and other help for this by Yoshishige Hatano, a samurai who was one of his most devoted lay followers. Dogen 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 Shikantaza ("just sitting").
English explanation by Association of Soto Zen Buddhists

Early Hsitory

Eihei Dogen, the founder of the Japanese branch of the Soto Zen Buddhist school, is considered one of the world''s most remarkable religious philosophers. EIHEI DOGEN: MYSTICAL REALIST is a comprehensive introduction to the genius of this brilliant thinker. This thirteenth-century figure has much to teach us all - for the questions that drove him have always been at the heart of Buddhist practice.

At the age of seven, in 1207, Dogen lost his mother, who at her death earnestly asked him to become a monastic to seek the truth of Buddhism. We are told that in the midst of profound grief, Dogen experienced the impermanence of all things as he watched the incense smoke ascending at his mother''s funeral service. This left an indelible impression upon the young Dogen; later, he would emphasize time and again the intimate relationship between the desire for enlightenment and the awareness of impermanence. His way of life would not be a sentimental flight from, but a compassionate understanding of, the intolerable reality of existence.

At age 13, Dogen received ordination at Mt. Hiei. And yet, a question arose: "As I study both the exoteric and the esoteric schools of Buddhism, they maintain that human beings are endowed with Dharma-nature by birth. If this is the case, why did the Buddhas of all ages - undoubtedly in possession of enlightenment - find it necessary to seek enlightenment and engage in spiritual practice?" When it became clear that no one on Mt. Hiei could give a satisfactory answer to this spiritual problem, he sought elsewhere, eventually making the treacherous journey to China. This was the true beginning of a life of relentless questioning, practice, and teaching - an immensely inspiring contribution to the Buddhadharma.

There is an excellent book about Dogen, and as you might imagine, a book as ambitious as EIHEI DOGEN: MYSTICAL REALIST has to be both academically rigorous and eminently readable to succeed. Professor Hee-Jim Kim''s work is both indeed, as his contemporaries attest.