Dōgen’s presence in contemporary Buddhism is felt most immediately through the living tradition of Sōtō Zen, whose lineages and institutions trace their identity back to his vision. The form of Zen that bears his imprint is marked by a distinctive understanding of practice: zazen is not a technique to get somewhere else, but the very expression of awakening itself. This view of “practice-enlightenment” shapes how many modern practitioners understand the path, softening the sense of striving for a distant goal and emphasizing realization in the midst of ordinary life. In this way, Dōgen’s legacy is not only historical or institutional; it is a particular way of inhabiting the Dharma.

At the heart of this legacy stands shikantaza, “just sitting,” which remains the core of Sōtō Zen practice across the world. This objectless, non-goal-oriented meditation is regarded as the direct enactment of Buddha-nature, rather than a preliminary step toward some later attainment. Such an approach has influenced not only Sōtō communities but also practitioners in other Zen and Mahāyāna settings, who look to Dōgen’s teaching as a model of meditation grounded in presence rather than acquisition. The quiet rigor of shikantaza continues to define what many understand as the essence of Zen practice.

Dōgen’s writings, especially the Shōbōgenzō, form another pillar of his enduring influence. These texts are read both devotionally and critically for their probing reflections on reality, language, time, and the nature of enlightenment. Concepts such as “being-time” (uji) and “genjōkōan” offer a philosophical articulation of how each moment and each activity can be the full manifestation of the Way. His non-dual treatment of practice and realization has become a touchstone for modern interpretations of Zen, shaping both scholarly discourse and the inner vocabulary of practitioners.

Finally, Dōgen’s integration of meditation, monastic discipline, and everyday activity continues to guide how Zen is lived in communities around the world. His influence can be seen in the rhythms of temple life, in the way work and daily tasks are framed as full practice, and in the teaching styles of modern Zen masters who draw from his example. Through translations and ongoing study, his poetic and paradoxical language continues to challenge and refine contemporary understanding, acting almost as a literary kōan that invites deeper inquiry. In this sense, Dōgen’s legacy is not a static inheritance but an ongoing conversation between his words and the lives of those who take them to heart.