The SFZC Audio Archive

Serial: SF-09554 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha Sessions Inside Vasubandhus Yogacara Kakuon on 2025-03-23 The talk provides an in-depth exploration of the Mind-Only teachings within Zen Buddhism, with a particular focus on Vasubandhu's influence and the evolution of Buddhist teachings. It discusses the significant contributions of...

Serial: SF-08126 03/22/2025, Onryu Mary Stares, dharma talk at City Center. Onryu Mary Stares speaks about Eihei Dogen Zenji’s text “Tenzo Kyokun (Instruction to the Cook)” as part of the March 2025 intensive focus on kitchen practice. The talk explores the transformative experience and practical lessons gained from the role of Tenzo, or head cook, at a Zen temple, using Dogen Zenji's "Tenzo Kyokun"—a guide for the head cook—as a backbone for this exploration....

Serial: SF-08082 Talk by Judith Keenan at City Center on 2025-03-19 The talk presented outlines the personal journey and experiences of transitioning into being Tenzo, or head cook, at the San Francisco Zen Center, and connects work practice to Zen philosophy. The speaker draws on Zen teachings...

Serial: SF-09499 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha Sessions Yogacara Kakuon on 2025-03-16 The talk explores Yogacara, or the "mind-only" teachings, highlighting their origin, development, and impact on Buddhist thought and their methodology mainly derived from meditation practices. The focus is on the mind’s...

Serial: SF-09855 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha on 2025-03-16 The talk delves into Yogacara or Mind-Only teachings, exploring the theory of mind to alleviate suffering as per Buddhist philosophy. It discusses how Yogacara relates to Mahayana schools: the School of the Middle Way and...

Serial: SF-08143 03/15/2025, Sozan Michael McCord, dharma talk at City Center. Sozan Michael McCord looks at Zen kitchen practice and work practice generally, connecting to the joy of activity, learning to care and venerate all things, and how to... This talk delves into the teachings and life applications of the "Tenzo Kyokun," a 13th-century Zen text by Dogen about the philosophy of kitchen practice as a metaphor for life. Emphasizing the constant interplay between 'the...

Serial: SF-08091 Talk by Jiryu Rutschman Byler at Green Gulch Farm on 2025-03-09 This talk explores Zen teachings on the immediacy of understanding and living in the present moment. The speaker discusses a Zen story about two Dharma friends, Hofuku and Choke, involving the mythical Mount Mioho from the Kegon...

Serial: SF-09830 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha on 2025-03-09 The talk begins with a discussion of personal experiences before transitioning to discussing Yogacara teachings, which are foundational to Zen, alongside the emptiness teachings of the Middle Way School. The talk covers the...

Serial: SF-08139 03/08/2025, Zenki Mary Mocine, dharma talk at City Center. Zenki Mary Mocine speaks about Eihei Dogen Zenji’s text “Tenzo Kyokun (Instruction to the Cook)” as part of the March 2025 intensive focus on kitchen practice. The talk explores the concept of Tenzo practice, focusing on Dogen's "Instructions for the Cook," where key teachings such as Joyful Mind, Parental Mind, and Magnanimous Mind are discussed. Various experiences in Zen kitchens are...

Serial: SF-08200 Talk by Teah Strozer at City Center on 2025-03-05 The talk examines Dogen's "Tenzo Kyokun," focusing on the kitchen as a central element in Zen practice where mundane activities become manifestations of awakening when done with full presence and awareness. The...

Serial: SF-09521 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha Sessions Zen Mind Beginners Mind Kakuon on 2025-03-02 The talk explores Shunryu Suzuki Roshi's teachings, particularly focusing on "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind," emphasizing Zen practice without fixating on enlightenment experiences like satori or kensho. The influence of cultural...

Serial: SF-08182 Talk by Kokyo Henkel at Green Gulch Farm on 2025-03-02 The talk emphasizes the significance of the "Jewel Mirror Samadhi" as a primary focus for the Zen practice period, highlighting its historical transmission and the metaphorical understanding of the mind as a "jewel mirror"...

Serial: SF-08222 Talk by Edward Espe Brown at City Center on 2025-03-01 This talk explores the essence of Zen practice as embodied in "Instructions to the Cook" by Zen Master Dogen, emphasizing the principle of "beginner's mind" and the importance of sincere, wholehearted practice. Various anecdotes...

Serial: SF-09542 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha Sessions Zen Mind Beginners Mind Kakuon on 2025-02-23 The talk explores the nature and significance of "Buddha nature" in Zen philosophy, emphasizing that every moment and activity can be an expression of Buddha nature without the need for conceptual understanding. The discussion...

Serial: SF-08171 Talk by Sessei Meg Levie at Green Gulch Farm on 2025-02-23 The talk explores Zen resilience in the context of modern challenges, emphasizing the importance of grounding oneself through regular practice amid global uncertainty. It discusses the interdependence of personal well-being and...

Serial: SF-08221 Talk by Reopening at City Center on 2025-02-22 The talk focuses on the reopening and rededication of Beginner's Mind Temple after extensive renovations. The central themes include the history and significance of the temple within the Zen Center community, the renovation...

Serial: SF-08193 Talk by Anshi Zachary Smith at City Center on 2025-02-19 The talk delves into the intertwined nature of mind, memory, and consciousness, examining how these elements shape our understanding of existence. It references Buddhist and Taoist philosophies to explain the metaphysical...

Serial: SF-09825 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha on 2025-02-16 The talk begins with a discussion on the renovation of a historic Zen Center building in San Francisco, transitioning into an exploration of a chapter titled "Beyond Consciousness" from "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind" by Shunryu...

Serial: SF-08152 Talk by Ryushin Paul Haller at City Center on 2025-02-15 The talk explores a "Buddhist approach to love," focusing on the interplay between love and renunciation. It examines four Greek categories of love—agape, philia, storge, and eros—and discusses accompanying renunciations that can...

Serial: SF-08174 Talk by Sonja Gardenswartz at Green Gulch Farm on 2025-02-09 This talk emphasizes the transformative power of silence and stillness in Zen practice, underlining their role in enhancing personal awareness and compassion. The importance of internal dialogue and reflection is highlighted,...

Serial: SF-08190 Talk by Epp Monday Class Ryushin Paul Haller at City Center on 2025-02-03 The talk focuses on cultivating mindful awareness through the practice of noticing, which is emphasized as a central component of Zen meditation. It discusses the practice of observing one's thoughts, sensations, and emotions...

Serial: SF-09547 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha Sessions Zen Mind Beginners Mind Kakuon on 2025-02-02 The talk explores themes of practice and mistake-making within Zen Buddhism, emphasizing the significance of wholehearted effort and the non-sectarian nature of true Buddhist practice. It reflects on Dogen Zenji's teaching of "...

Serial: SF-08123 02/01/2025, Sozan Michael McCord, dharma talk at City Center. Sozan Michael McCord uses the lens of "The Harmony of Difference and Equality" by Shitou Xiqian, to unpack the relevance of remembrances such as Black History Month... The talk centers on the intersection of Zen philosophy with concepts of justice and equality, using historical narratives to illustrate how Zen principles can inform social action. Irene Morgan's 1944 stand against racial...

Serial: SF-08201 Talk by Epp Opening With Ryushin Paul Haller at City Center on 2025-01-25 The talk provides an overview of a planned Zen mindfulness program, including logistics for sessions and instructions on Zazen practice, with an emphasis on breath and body awareness. It explores how practitioners can skillfully...