The SFZC Audio Archive

Chikudo Catherine Spaeth teaches that a whole world of forms catches us up in personal emotions and stories, and when we see through them there can be a feeling of heartsickness. How, in our illness, does emptiness use emptiness... The talk explores the intersection of personal suffering and enlightenment within Zen practice by examining the concept of "Buddha Fields" from the Vimalakirti Sutra. It highlights how characters like Sariputra misunderstand...

Gendo Lucy Xiao 玄道 explores the dynamic interplay between our awakened nature and the ongoing cultivation of practice within the conditions of our lives, by drawing on the story and teachings of Zen Master Dongshan. The talk analyzes the relationship between inherent Buddha Nature and continual practice, using Zen Master Dongshan's teachings to highlight the balance between immediate awakening and lifelong spiritual cultivation. The speaker...

The talk explores the essence of Zazen practice within Zen Buddhism, contrasting it with traditional meditation techniques to emphasize undivided, inclusive practice grounded in the teachings of historical figures such as Wei...

So-on Eli Brown-Stevenson uses somatic meditation, the image of the hand, and Zen teachings on non-separation, to explore how we move from contraction and self-protection toward a more open participation in reality, compassion,... The talk addresses the transition from self-protection to open participation in reality through Zen teachings and somatic meditation, using the imagery of the hand to symbolize how we engage with life. It highlights how Zen...

The talk explores the contrasting Zen teachings on awakening by examining two famous poems from the Platform Sutra, detailing the historical debate between the concepts of sudden and gradual enlightenment. Emphasis is placed on...

Rinso Ed Sattizahn presents a commentary on the koan, Case 19, from the Gateless Barrier with a sidebar on practicing with impermanence. The talk explores the koan Case 19, "Ordinary Mind is the Way," from the Gateless Barrier, emphasizing the integration of realization into everyday life. The discussion also touches on the concept of impermanence and...

The talk explores the concept of renunciation in Zen practice, as elucidated in Shunryu Suzuki Roshi's newly published book, "Becoming Yourself." A key discussion centers on Suzuki Roshi’s interpretation of...

Gendo Lucy Xiao 玄道 explores the theme of the Spring Practice Period and explores the relationship between “nothing lacking” and “continuous practice”. The discussion explores the Zen concepts of "nothing lacking" and "continuous practice," examining the paradox between inherent completeness and the necessity of ongoing practice. This discourse highlights the contrasting views...

Ben shares from his new book “Inside the Flower Garland Sutra, Huayan Buddhism and the Modern World.” Ben illustrates the teachings with stories and lessons from his recent involvement with an array of nonviolent... The talk explores themes from "Inside the Flower Garland Sutra, Huayan Buddhism and the Modern World," focusing on abundance, interdependence, and social engagement through the lens of Huayan Buddhism. The discussion highlights...

Doshin Dan Gudgel expresses a hope for lasting peace in this world, based on deep belief in interconnection and impermanence, and the incredible cosmic rarity of life itself. The talk revolves around the interconnection of life and the importance of valuing peace over war, exploring the history and essence of the San Francisco Zen Center's space. It elaborates on the philosophical implications of...

Hondo Dave Rutschman explores how we enter a ritual space with our effort and intention, without attempting to control the outcome. The talk focuses on the balance between effort and intention in ritual practice, emphasizing that while these elements are necessary, exerting control is neither effective nor liberative. Rituals are structured with intention and...

Abbot Jiryu Rutschman-Byler draws on Dogen's teaching that "to carry yourself forward and experience myriad things is delusion," and invites the question of what we may be carrying in our fundamental attitude about... The talk explores the Zen teaching of Dogen, highlighting the distinction between delusion—"carrying yourself forward to experience myriad things"—and awakening, which is realized through the myriad things coming forth. It...

Roger Hillyard explores how Dogen's most poetic sutra, Mountains and Rivers, can help us practice with tragedy and lead us towards equanimity. This talk examines Dogen's "Mountains and Rivers Sutra" as a guide for finding equanimity amidst personal tragedy. It emphasizes that the natural world serves as a dynamic sutra, continuously teaching the principles of...

Kiku Christina Lehnherr explores why it is so important to first cultivate a strong and stable foundation of kindness, gentleness, generosity, patience, courage and steadfast effort, that enable us to face the challenges and... The talk delves into the significance of cultivating foundational qualities such as kindness, gentleness, patience, and courage for successful engagement in the transformative practice of Buddhism. These qualities are crucial for...

Hokyo Lorenzo Garbo examines how the many ritual forms of Zen—such as bows and daily gestures—become transformative when practiced with awareness, evolving from prescribed actions into personal, embodied expressions... The talk explores the relationship between practitioners and the forms and rituals within Zen practice, emphasizing their role in fostering mindfulness and true self-expression. Personal anecdotes illustrate how engagement with...

Gil Fronsdal explores how presence allows the body's innate wisdom to heal, grow, and reveal itself. The talk explores the concept of "just sitting" in Zen practice, emphasizing the profound introspection and personal discovery that arise from simply sitting without attachment to thoughts or aspirations. It illustrates how this...

Doshin Patti Mitchell shares how meditation and community helped her face suffering, expectations, and self-judgment. Speaking about the importance of honesty, gratitude, and spiritual friendship, she also honors the teachers and... The talk centers on personal experiences with Zen practice, recovery from addiction, and the integration of these paths. A focus is placed on the importance of community support, the student-teacher relationship, and the...

Abiding Abbot Dōshin Mako Voelkel explores the life and lessons of Mahapajapati—the first Buddhist nun, and foster mother of the historical Buddha—after City Center’s annual ceremonial celebration for this first... This talk examines the story of Mahapajapati's quest for full ordination, highlighting gender equality within Buddhist history and the way her achievements have been retrospectively celebrated and revised. It explores the themes...

Zenju Earthlyn Manuel Osho explores stillness and silence as a response to the great suffering we are facing today. Can we trust the discovery promised in a practice of silence to lead us to resolve or peace? The talk explores the role of stillness and silence as responses to contemporary human suffering, positing that such practices can lead to personal and collective transformation. It questions the effectiveness of continuous...

Shosan Victoria Austin explores love as an internal posture, rather than a feeling. A stable base for our posture of love is awareness and patience with the negative emotions that often come up without our noticing them. The talk focuses on love as an internal posture, not simply a feeling, employing awareness and patience to navigate negative emotions. Emphasizing practical applications, it explores how to cultivate this posture through mindful...

Dr. Grace Dammann shares her journey through medicine, Zen practice, disability, and spiritual awakening. The talk explores using the body as a vehicle on the Bodhisattva Path, illustrating how one's body can guide significant life decisions through practice, meditation, and alignment with the heart's desires. Integrating personal...

Zenju Earthlyn Manuel Osho speaks to the fear of being consumed by great suffering while being turned towards the expansion of life at the same time. The talk focuses on reconciling the paradox of embracing life's expansion alongside the fear and experience of profound suffering. The discussion prominently centers on the Heart Sutra, examining its core teaching of the...

Hokyo Lorenzo Garbo explores how lifelong, internalized expectations—shaped by personal history and conditioning—distort perception and create suffering by separating us from present-moment experience. The talk focuses on how internalized expectations, shaped by personal history and conditioning, distort perception and create suffering by disconnecting one from the present-moment experience. The idea is that expectations form a...

Heather Shōren Iarusso discusses an encounter with a rattlesnake when, in the flash of danger, there is no “Heather,” no narrative, no arising mental formations—only pure perception and appropriate response.... The talk explores the dissolution of self-identity in moments of pure perception, using the speaker's encounter with a rattlesnake as an example. It delves into the Buddhist concept of the five aggregates (form, sensation,...