The SFZC Audio Archive

Central Abbot Tenzen David Zimmerman offers three analogies related to light as supportive practices for zazen, noting that in Zen, light serves as a powerful analogy for awareness. The talk contrasts Zen meditation practices with light analogies to illustrate concepts of awareness and enlightenment. Three analogies—flashlight, panoramic, and inner sunlight—are used to describe varying aspects of awareness...

So-on Eli Brown-Stevenson explores a practice that rejects nothing, wastes nothing, and reveals how transformation begins when everything belongs through stories from Green Gulch Farm, Zen teachings, and an ecological view of... The discussion centers on the transformative power of compost as a metaphor for Zen practice. It emphasizes the principles of rejecting nothing, wasting nothing, and understanding radical interdependence, as illustrated through...

Central Abbot Tenzen David Zimmerman speaks to the loss felt by the fire that destroyed the Tassajara Zendo in March 2026, and particularly the damage to the 1800-year-old Gandharan Buddha stone statue that had been on the altar... The talk addresses the profound loss and teachings surrounding the destruction of the Tassajara Zendo in March 2026, focusing on the impermanence that Zen Buddhism teaches. Central to the discussion is the damaging of a...

Horin Nancy Petrin reflects on the ‘settled self’ inspired by Suzuki Roshi’s lecture ‘Be Kind with Yourself” from the collection “Not Always So.” The discussion centers on the concept of the 'settled self,' using the metaphor of 'returning' to one's state of zazen with kindness, as inspired by Suzuki Roshi's lecture "Be Kind with Yourself" from his collection "Not Always...

Shundo David Haye reflects on the role and value of practice in imbuing us with inner integrity, in this age of social media and AI. The talk explores the importance of Zen practice in developing inner integrity in an era dominated by social media and artificial intelligence. It contrasts the deeply personal experience of "tasting" the truth of the Tathagata's...

Jisho Lisa Beth Hoffman, in this Queer Pride weekend talk, asks “How do we practice so the poignant truth of impermanence deepens our experience of ‘just this’ – the life and moment before us?”... The talk explores themes of impermanence, identity, and no-self, drawing on personal experiences and emphasizing the fluid nature of identity. It reflects on the teaching of impermanence as articulated by Thich Nhat Hanh, linking...

Chan Teacher Guo Gu speaks of the different past and present contexts for the rise of Silent Illumination. The talk examines the practice of "silent illumination" as a precursor to "shikantaza" (just sitting), highlighting the distinct poetic and historical contexts provided by Chan Master Hongzhi and its differentiation from Dogen's...

Sozan Michael McCord teaches that when we look at the cause of suffering, we see that it is grasping and clinging or aversion and not accepting what is. We have known since the Industrial Revolution, very clearly, but now... The talk explores the intersection of Zen philosophy and the human experience of suffering in the age of artificial intelligence, focusing on the Second Noble Truth: the cause of suffering. It highlights how context and...

Jiryu Rutschman-Byler shares the story from Dogen Zenji’s chapter "Jinzu" about the “great supernatural accomplishments” of the Zen ancestors Guishan and Yangshan, as they spend a morning together... The talk explores Dogen Zenji's chapter "Jinzu" from the Shobogenzo, focusing on the "great supernatural accomplishments" as illustrated in the interactions between the Zen ancestors Guishan and Yangshan....

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...

Nyokai Kristin Diggs talks about the difference between the zazen of Soto Zen and styles of sitting practice that aim at attaining an ideal or special state of mind. 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...

Gengyoku Tim Wicks explores Dogen Zenji's famous teaching, "To study the Buddha way is to study the self," through the lens of recovery, trauma, and meditation practice. 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...