hensan
Thorough Exploration
Hen means “everywhere” or “widely,” and san means “to visit,” or “to study through experience.” Originally hensan described the custom Buddhist monks used to have of traveling around in order to meet excellent masters with whom they could be satisfied. But according to Master Dogen, hensan, or “thorough exploration,” is accomplished not by traveling around, but by a Buddhist monk’s thorough exploration of the Buddhist state under one true master. In this chapter, Master Dogen explains the true meaning of hensan.