Since the origins of Buddhism until our days, the teachings have been transmitted in a direct way from teacher to disciple, form heart to heart.

In order to assure the continuity of a pure transmission it is necessary to keep a direct link with a live teacher.

He was born on January the 2nd, southeast of Kyoto. He belonged to an aristocratic family. At the age of 2 his father passed away and when he was 7 he lost his mother. Before dying she told him to become a monk and to work hard for the liberation of all beings. During his life he never hesitated in his determination to find an authentic way to reach enlightenment. At the age of 12 Dogen entered the monastery of the Tendai School at Mont Hiei and received monk ordination one year later. Not satisfied with the teachings of the Tendai School, he moved to Zen Temple Keninji and studied under Master Myozen (1184 - 1225). After 9 years of study with Myozen, he traveled to China in 12223. Disappointed with the practice in China Dogen decided to return to Japan, but just before leaving, he heard about Master Ju-ching (1163 - 1228) who was at mount Tien-t'ong and headed there. In 1225 Dogen received Dharma transmission from Ju-ching and in 1227 went back to Japan. In Japan Dogen began writing his extensive work and simultaneously start the construction of Koshoji in Uji, nearby Kyoto. In 1243 he left Koshoji ant traveled with his closer disciples and other 100 people. They placed at mount Eihei in Echizen where in 1245 he inaugurated Daibutsuji Temple. Later it was called Eiheij, "The Eternal Peace Temple". Eiheiji is preserved as one of the two main temples of the Soto School in Japan. Dogen died on august 28, 1253. He was succeded by his disciple Koun Ejo (1198 - 1280). His life, his teachings and his writings are testimony of of the strenght, faith and unbreakable determination in Dogen's practice of Zazen. His influence has persisted without interruption since his return from China in 1227 until now. His extensive and outstanding writings include The Shobogenzo (Treasury of the Eye of the True Dharma), and the Eiheikoroku "Dogen's Extensive Record".