Zen teacher Tai Sheridan presents a poetic interpretation of Dogen's essay Tenzo Kyokun—instructions to the Cook. 'Rice Eyes' is a metaphor for the non-dual world, the essential Buddhist experience of oneness. Dogen uses the role of Tenzo, or head cook, to demonstrate how to live, work, and experience a spiritual life that benefits everyone.

Dogen lived from 1200 to 1253. He was the father of the Soto Zen lineage in Japan. The author transforms Dogen's prose into poetry. He replaces twelfth-century idioms with contemporary language and images, which makes Dogen easier to understand.