Dogen's Fascicle 'Being Time'

The seminar is part of the 2026 Everyday Bodhisattva Practice Period (Jan 10-Apr 5, 2026). It can, however, be attended separately without prior knowledge of Zen or the teachings of the Practice Period. It will be held at the Boulder Zen Center (2151 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder).

During the Practice Period, Zenki Roshi will provide a commentary on the Dogen fascicle ‘Being Time' (Uji). The core teaching of all Buddhism is impermanence. When change or loss is not in accord with our preferences, that is what triggers our suffering. Dogen takes a fundamental approach to this. He makes clear that there is no being outside and beyond time, and there is no time dimension that is independent of being (what appears here now). 

He treats impermanence as momentariness. Every moment of experience is an event that emerges out of the interdependence of all being-time as part of a process. Our present experience carries itself forward into the present while being connected to everything else. Yet, each moment also arises with unpredictable uncertainty and possibility.  

Dogen's teachings are famous for being dense and multifaceted. They question our most commonplace and seemingly obvious views. During these 90 days of shared study and practice, Zenki Roshi will guide the community in exploring how we can use these challenges in our daily circumstances—to step out of our fantasies and live a life that is more in accord with how things actually are.

While Zenki Roshi will begin to explore these themes during his bi-weekly talks going through the text line-by-line, it is the Weekend Seminar where we will have time to dive deep together.