Zen

The film "Zen" may seem to follow the path of historical fiction, recounting the events surrounding the life and teachings of Eihei Dogen, a Japanese monk who revolutionized the Buddhist tradition in Japan during the 13th century. However, this is not a biographical retelling of Dogen's life but rather a fictionalized representation of the principles he adheres to. The narrative centers around Tarozaemon, a young Buddhist monk from a prominent family, who embarks on a perilous journey to China to seek knowledge about the mystical arts of Zen. Tarozaemon, though initially driven by a desire to elevate his family's spiritual stature, begins to realize the profound impact of the teachings of Chinese Buddhism on his own perception of reality. Upon his arrival in China, Tarozaemon becomes deeply involved with the teachings of a revered Master who teaches him the fundamentals of Zazen: a meditative posture of sitting in stillness, allowing the mind to transcend the constraints of the material world. Tarozaemon begins to delve deeper into the realms of Zazen and eventually catches the attention of his Master, who decides to ordain him as a young nun called Choji. As Tarozaemon embarks on a path filled with spiritual discipline and ascetic rigor, he starts to question the nature of reality and the limitations of human perception. His newfound spiritual experiences take him into a realm of profound insight, where the dichotomies of the self and the external world become increasingly blurred. Meanwhile, back in Japan, Dogen is portrayed as an ambitious young monk who feels increasingly disillusioned by the rigid dogmas and practices that prevail within the existing Japanese Buddhist sects. He sees the teachings of the Master who had ordained Tarozaemon as a means to attain spiritual liberation and, upon learning about Tarozaemon's experiences, he becomes driven to share these profound principles with his fellow Japanese monks. Upon Tarozaemon's return to Japan, he begins to teach his new friend Dogen about the tenets of Zazen, as well as the spiritual principles he had learned from his Master in China. Inspired by Tarozaemon's accounts and his own desire to escape the conventional dogmas that governed his order, Dogen becomes increasingly consumed by a vision of a new and more authentic form of Buddhist practice that emphasizes individual realization and the attainment of Buddhahood within oneself. Dogen's vision sparks an internal conflict that paves the way for his eventual departure from the established order. Together with Tarozaemon and an increasingly disillusioned group of followers, Dogen sets out on the path that would lead to the establishment of the Soto School of Zen, a spiritual tradition grounded in the principles he had learned from his Master in China and the countless hours of meditation and introspection he had undergone with Tarozaemon. The film culminates as Dogen and his fellow travelers settle in Japan's countryside, where they build a humble temple, and embark on their mission to spread the teachings of Zazen to those who would listen. Throughout the narrative, the camera often cuts to images of the serene yet powerful landscapes of China and Japan, creating a visual metaphor for the transformative journey that takes both the characters and the viewer toward an experience of nothingness (satori), where all dualities disappear, and a profound state of awareness, often referred to as "suchness," or the essence of reality becomes accessible. Through this cinematic exploration of the essence of Zazen, the film invites the viewer to explore their own potential for spiritual growth, inviting them to experience the transformative power of Dogen's teachings on a deep, and at times uncharted, level. As the film comes to a close, it leaves behind a compelling reflection of the enduring power of Dogen's vision, which, centuries after his time, continues to inspire and illuminate spiritual seekers to this very day.