Eihei Dogen is the founder of the Soto Zen school, who, after his apprenticeship in China with the master Rujing, introduced meditation to Japan.

Dogen emphasized above all the importance of deep meditation or samadhi, which he referred to as seated meditation (shikantaza). In Dogen's view, meditation is not just a means to enlightenment, but is enlightenment itself!

He believed that the practice of meditation is the natural expression of our true nature. Thanks to his deep and penetrating spirit, Dogen is regarded as one of Japan's greatest teachers and thinkers.

The most important of his writings is the "Shobogenzo," where the teachings of Soto Zen and effective methods for achieving enlightenment are presented.

"Studying the Dharma means studying the Self, studying the Self means forgetting the self, forgetting the self means enlightenment through all things, and enlightenment through all things means the abolition of the distinction between self and others." Eihei Dogen