Lately, I have been inspired to study certain aspects of the Soto school of Zen. In particular, I was reading in Japanese a nice explanation of the Shushōgi (修証義, “Meaning of Practice and Verification”).
The Shushōgi is a primer on Zen compiled for lay followers in 1890 by Ouchi Seiran (大内 青巒, 1845-1918) as part of a committee to bring Soto Zen teachings to a wider audience as a response to Christian proselytizing at the time. The Shushōgi is a popular text for Soto Zen followers in Japan, and appears prominently in Japanese sutra chanting books, yet it has never really caught on in the Western Zen community. Interestingly, the Shushogi has undergone a bit of a revival in Japanese-Zen circles in recent generations.
The Shushōgi is a relatively short text that attempts to distill the teachings of Soto Zen’s founder Dōgen (1200 – 1253), using excerpts from his voluminous Shobogenzo, into a smaller format that is accessible for lay followers. It is used extensively in Japanese Soto-Zen liturgy, though less so in the West. I think this text is underrated and provides a good primer for new Buddhists without veering too far into sectarian issues. So, I have decided to re-post here with the original Japanese and using the translation by Masunaga Reihō (増永 霊鳳, 1902-1981) in The Sōtō Approach to Zen, Layman Buddhist Society Press (Zaike bukkyo kyokai), Tokyo, 1958, pp. 171-182.
The text has five sections, with links to subsequent commentary I wrote:
- General introduction to Buddhism (i.e. why practice?) – work in progress
- The importance of reflection and repentance (Japanese: sangé 懺悔)
- Taking the precepts, and maintaining wholesome conduct
- The Aspiration for Enlightenment and Helping Others
- Practice and Gratitude
Previously I also wrote some commentaries:
Please enjoy!
Gleanings in Buddha-Fields 
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