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Bodhisattva Talks

In Buddhism, a bodhisattva is a person who has attained, or is striving towards, bodhi (meaning ‘awakening', 'enlightenment') or Buddhahood. Often, the term specifically refers to a person who forgoes or delays personal nirvana or bodhi in order to compassionately help other individuals reach Buddhahood.

In the Early Buddhist schools, as well as modern Theravāda Buddhism, bodhisattva (or bodhisatta) refers to someone who has made a resolution to become a Buddha and has also received a confirmation or prediction from a living Buddha that this will come to pass. In Theravāda Buddhism, the bodhisattva is mainly seen as an exceptional and rare individual. Only a few select individuals are ultimately able to become bodhisattvas, such as Maitreya.

In Mahāyāna Buddhism, a bodhisattva refers to anyone who has generated bodhicitta, a spontaneous wish and compassionate mind to attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings. Mahayana bodhisattvas are spiritually heroic persons that work to attain awakening and are driven by a great compassion (mahākaruṇā). These beings are exemplified by important spiritual qualities such as the "four divine abodes" (brahmavihāras) of loving-kindness (maitrī), compassion (karuṇā), empathetic joy (muditā) and equanimity (upekṣā), as well as the various bodhisattva "perfections" (pāramitās), which include prajñāpāramitā ("transcendent knowledge" or "perfection of wisdom") and skillful means (upāya).

Mahāyāna Buddhism generally understands the bodhisattva path as being open to everyone, and Mahāyāna Buddhists encourage all individuals to become bodhisattvas. Spiritually advanced bodhisattvas such as Avalokiteshvara, Maitreya, and Manjushri are also widely venerated across the Mahāyāna Buddhist world and are believed to possess great magical power, which they employ to help all living beings.

From Bodhisattva on Wikipedia

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Title	Speaker	Date
Samantabhadra and Blanche Hartman Serial: SF-12452 Shosan Victoria Austin and Mary Mocine speak about Blanche Hartman and Zen sewing, and conduct an eye-opening ceremony for a statue of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva in the SFZC... Samantabhadra, Bodhisattva, Practice Period	Shosan Victoria Austin, Mary Mocine	Sep 03 2025 City Center
The Bodhisattva Way Myogen Kathryn Stark talks about Shantideva, his work on the Way of the Bodhisattva, and how we apply this to our own lives. Bodhisattva, Wisdom, Suzuki Roshi	Myogen Kathryn Stark	May 14 2025 Tassajara
Wholehearted Presence in Zen Practice Serial: SF-08179 Talk by Tenshin Reb Anderson at Green Gulch Farm on 2025-01-12 Suffering, Bodhisattva	Tenshin Reb Anderson	Jan 12 2025 Green Gulch Farm
Way-Seeking Mind: Responding to the Cries of the World with Skillful Compassion Serial: SF-08105 01/11/2025, Keiryu Liên Shutt, dharma talk at City Center. Keiryu Liên Shutt discusses how the hands and eyes of Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, need to be... Bodhisattva, Compassion	Keiryu Liên Shutt	Jan 11 2025 City Center
Heroic Bodhisattva Goes To Practice Period Serial: SF-08292 10/20/2024, Eijun Linda Cutts, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Linda explores how the mind of a Bodhisattva is able to meet the challenges of our lives, and celebrates the... Practice Period, Bodhisattva, Ceremony	Eijun Linda Cutts	Oct 20 2024 Green Gulch Farm
The Conventional and Ultimate Meaning of the Precepts Serial: SF-08242 09/22/2024, Thiemo Blank, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. This dharma talk was given at Green Gulch Farm by Tanto Thiemo Blank. The talk gives an introduction into the... Precepts, Ceremony, Bodhisattva	Thiemo Blank	Sep 22 2024 Green Gulch Farm
Listening Through the Heart's Echo Serial: SF-08677 Talk by Jisan Tova Green at City Center on 2024-07-31 Compassion, Bodhisattva	Jisan Tova Green	Jul 31 2024 City Center
The Bodhisattva’s Four Embracing Actions Serial: SF-08297 07/20/2024, Tenzen David Zimmerman, dharma talk at City Center. This talk was given at one of Beginner's Mind Temple’s pop-up events at Unity Church, by Central Abbot... Dogen, Bodhisattva	Tenzen David Zimmerman	Jul 20 2024 City Center
Threads of Karma and Community Serial: SF-08682 Talk by Gengyoko Tim Wicks Edited Audio Only First Minutes Of at City Center on 2024-05-11 Karma, Bodhisattva	Gengyoko Tim Wicks	May 11 2024 City Center
Embodiment of Ethical Zen Practice Serial: SF-08614 Talk by Doshin Mako Voelkel at City Center on 2024-03-27 Bodhisattva, Precepts	Dōshin Mako Voelkel	Mar 27 2024 City Center
Save Me, Save Us: ‘Salvation’ in Zen Serial: SF-08426 02/25/2024, Tenzen David Zimmerman, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. The first of the four Great Bodhisattva Vows is to “save all beings”, but what exactly does this mean and... Bodhisattva, Suffering	Tenzen David Zimmerman	Feb 25 2024 Green Gulch Farm
Embracing Emptiness: Zen's Path to Liberation Serial: SF-08576 Talk by Tenzen David Zimmerman at Green Gulch Farm on 2024-02-25 Emptiness, Bodhisattva, Liberation	Tenzen David Zimmerman	Feb 25 2024 Green Gulch Farm
Save Me, Save Us: ‘Salvation’ in Zen Serial: SF-08272 The first of the four Great Bodhisattva Vows is to “save all beings,” but what exactly does this mean and how might I engage in such an impossible endeavor? In this talk, given... Suffering, Bodhisattva	Tenzen David Zimmerman	Feb 24 2024 City Center
Practice Compassion Without Delay Serial: SF-08415 02/04/2024, Eijun Linda Cutts, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Avalokiteshvara in the Avatamsaka Sutra lets us know of the powerful practice of Great Compassion to meet the... Compassion, Bodhisattva	Eijun Linda Cutts	Feb 04 2024 Green Gulch Farm
The Teaching of Thusness Serial: SF-08262 01/07/2024, Tenshin Reb Anderson, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. This talk is a contemplation of the Flower Adornment Scripture saying “Clearly observe the Dharma of... Bodhisattva, Precious Mirror	Tenshin Reb Anderson	Jan 07 2024 Green Gulch Farm
Unity in the Cycle of Existence Serial: SF-08856 Talk by Doshin Mako Voelkel at City Center on 2023-04-08 Bodhisattva	Dōshin Mako Voelkel	Apr 08 2023 City Center
“What is it?” - Ganto’s Last Word Serial: SF-07786 11/12/2022, Rinso Ed Sattizahn, dharma talk at City Center. Continuing the practice period study of koans from the Blue Cliff Record and Suzuki Roshi's commentaries on them.... Bodhisattva, Manjushri, Suffering	Rinso Ed Sattizahn	Nov 12 2022 City Center
Compassion and Great Compassion Serial: SF-07845 10/30/2022, Kokyo Henkel, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Different types compassion as taught by Shakyamuni Buddha, Vasubandhu, Maitreya, Chandrakirti, and Zen... Compassion, Suffering, Bodhisattva	Kokyo Henkel	Oct 30 2022 Green Gulch Farm
Tending Tension in Zen Practice Serial: SF-07902 Talk by Ryushin Paul Haller at City Center on 2022-08-25 Bodhisattva	Ryushin Paul Haller	Aug 25 2022 City Center
Wholehearted Engagement Through Zen Practice Serial: SF-07822 Talk by Ryushin Paul Haller at City Center on 2022-08-24 Bodhisattva Vow, Bodhisattva	Ryushin Paul Haller	Aug 24 2022 City Center
Dancing in the Dark Fields Serial: SF-07778 08/17/2022, Florence Caplow, dharma talk at City Center. In our tradition, sickness and pain are honored as messengers. But what does it mean for us when these messengers... Suffering, Bodhisattva	Zenshin Florence Caplow	Aug 17 2022 City Center
Dancing in the Dark Fields Serial: SF-08045 08/17/2022, Florence Caplow, dharma talk at City Center. In our tradition, sickness and pain are honored as messengers. But what does it mean for us when these messengers... Suffering, Bodhisattva	Zenshin Florence Caplow	Aug 17 2022 City Center
Great is the Matter of Birth and Death Serial: SF-07944 05/04/2022, Ryushin Paul Haller, dharma talk at City Center. A personal and intimate reflection from Sr. Dharma Teacher Paul Haller, upon his return from caretaking for... Bodhisattva Way, Bodhisattva	Ryushin Paul Haller	May 04 2022 City Center
Available to the World Serial: SF-07875 An exploration of the thread that runs through Buddha's life and all those trying to live like the Buddha. 04/09/2022, Sozan Michael McCord, dharma talk at City Center.... Bodhisattva, Heart Sutra, Daily Life	Sozan Michael McCord	Apr 09 2022 City Center
Requiem Serial: SF-07912 Abbess Fu Schroeder reflects on the deep sorrow underlying our anger at the long history of violence in the human world, and on how we might arouse an appropriate response... Precepts, Bodhisattva	Fu Schroeder	Mar 06 2022 Green Gulch Farm
Transforming Our Karma Through Vow Serial: SF-10917 The Avatamsaka Sutra tells us that “Ordinary beings live according to their karma, being their karmic habitual tendencies, while a bodhisattva lives according to vow.” How... Karma, Bodhisattva	Tenzen David Zimmerman	Nov 04 2021 City Center
Being like a Bee Serial: SF-11011 Beekeeping as a temple art. The shared qualities fo honeybees and bodhisattvas, hives and sangha, enjoying the taste of honey. 09/08/2021, Marcia Lieberman, dharma talk... Sangha, Bodhisattva, Skillful Means	Marcia Lieberman	Sep 08 2021 City Center
Bodhicitta in Action Serial: SF-10955 An exploration of Arising Bodhicitta, Not othering, and Taking action. 08/11/2021, Qayyum Johnson, dharma talk at City Center. Bodhisattva	Seiho Qayyum Johnson	Aug 11 2021 City Center
Living the Bodhisattva's Vows Together Serial: SF-11141 Talk by Horin Nancy Petrin at Tassajara on 2021-08-04 Bodhisattva	Horin Nancy Petrin	Aug 04 2021 Tassajara
Factory Farming and Its Environmental Effects Through the Lens of the Three Collective Pure Precepts Serial: SF-10930 08/04/2021, Yuki Kobiyama, dharma talk at City Center. Precepts, Mahayana, Bodhisattva	Yuki Kobiyama	Aug 04 2021 City Center
Bringing Forth Our Best Serial: SF-11072 Ryushin Paul Haller's talk invites us into deep inquiry of the Bodhisattva vows. What is it to tend to and be of service to these vows in one's life? What is it to cross over... Bodhisattva, Bodhisattva Vow	Ryushin Paul Haller	Mar 27 2021 City Center
Standing On The Platform Of Now Serial: SF-10933 A talk inspired by poet laureate Amanda Gordon and the 2021 Inauguration, reflecting on the alchemy available in each moment as we stand in all the causes and conditions and... Bodhisattva Vow, Bodhisattva	Ryushin Paul Haller	Jan 30 2021 City Center
Homage to Bodhisattva Never Despise Serial: SF-10914 A quick review of the teachings in the Lotus Sutra which are said to lead all to the complete perfect enlightenment of a Buddha. 01/24/2021, Furyu Nancy Schroeder, dharma talk... Lotus Sutra, Bodhisattva	Fu Schroeder	Jan 24 2021 Green Gulch Farm
Lineage, History, Repair Serial: SF-10910 A reflection on the debts and obligations of lineage. 01/23/2021, Shogen Jody Greene, dharma talk at City Center. Bodhisattva	Shogen Jody Greene	Jan 23 2021 City Center
Universal Gateway of Avalokiteshvara Serial: SF-11061 An entry into Chapter 25 of the Lotus Sutra for our time, dedicated to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 01/17/2021, Eijun Linda Cutts, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. ... Compassion, Bodhisattva	Eijun Linda Cutts	Jan 17 2021 Green Gulch Farm
Rohatsu Sesshin - Day 7 - Embracing Liberative Narratives Serial: SF-11332 12/05/2020, Tenzen David Zimmerman, dharma talk at City Center. Bodhisattva, Suffering	Tenzen David Zimmerman	Dec 05 2020 City Center
Rohatsu Sesshin - Day 5 - Bodhisattvas’ Four Embracing Actions - Beneficial Action Serial: SF-11209 12/03/2020, Tenzen David Zimmerman, dharma talk at City Center. Bodhisattva, Dogen	Tenzen David Zimmerman	Dec 03 2020 City Center
Rohatsu Sesshin - Day 3 - Bodhisattvas’ Four Embracing Actions - Giving Serial: SF-11153 12/01/2020, Tenzen David Zimmerman, dharma talk at City Center. Dogen, Bodhisattva	Tenzen David Zimmerman	Dec 01 2020 City Center
Rohatsu Sesshin - Day 3 - Bodhisattvas’ Four Embracing Actions - Giving (video) Serial: SF-11186 12/01/2020, Tenzen David Zimmerman, dharma talk at City Center. Dogen, Bodhisattva	Tenzen David Zimmerman	Dec 01 2020 City Center
Bodhisattvas: First Responders Serial: SF-11246 Training in the world. Are you willing to be an ordinary person bringing forth our best? 11/21/2020, Mushim Patricia Ikeda, dharma talk at City Center. Bodhisattva	Mushim Ikeda	Nov 21 2020 City Center
The Living Being Feeling Serial: SF-11149 The practice of being of the world and not being caught by it. 11/18/2020, Rinso Ed Sattizahn, dharma talk at City Center. Bodhisattva, Manjushri	Rinso Ed Sattizahn	Nov 19 2020 City Center
The Living Being Feeling (video) Serial: SF-11197 The practice of being of the world and not being caught by it. 11/21/2020, Rinso Ed Sattizahn, dharma talk at City Center. Bodhisattva, Manjushri	Rinso Ed Sattizahn	Nov 18 2020 City Center
Awakening with Jizo's Courage Serial: SF-11314 Talk by Sozan Miglioli at City Center on 2020-11-12 Suffering, Bodhisattva	Sozan Miglioli	Nov 12 2020 City Center
Finding Our Home the Heart of All Beings Serial: SF-11252 In times of suffering bodhisattvas come forward. 11/07/2020, Rinso Ed Sattizahn, dharma talk at City Center. Bodhisattva	Rinso Ed Sattizahn	Nov 07 2020 City Center
Compassionate Presencing (video) Serial: SF-11328 Avalokiteshvara Boddhisattva and resting in don't know mind. 11/04/2020, Tenzen David Zimmerman, dharma talk at City Center. Compassion, Suffering, Bodhisattva	Tenzen David Zimmerman	Nov 04 2020 City Center
Embracing Altruism Under Full Moon Serial: SF-11156 Talk by Full Moon Copy at City Center on 2020-10-31 Bodhisattva, Karma		Oct 31 2020 City Center
Practicing with the Impossible (video) Serial: SF-11180 Practicing with the upside mind knowing it's the very mind of Buddha. 10/25/2020, Ryushin Paul Haller, dharma talk at City Center. Bodhisattva	Ryushin Paul Haller	Oct 24 2020 City Center
Letting Wisdom Undo You (video) Serial: SF-11236 Majushri and the mind illumined by prajna. 10/21/2020, Tenzen David Zimmerman, dharma talk at City Center. Wisdom, Manjushri, Bodhisattva	Tenzen David Zimmerman	Oct 21 2020 City Center
Cutting Through Illusions: Embracing Wisdom Serial: SF-11368 Talk by Abbot David Zimmerman at City Center on 2020-10-21 Wisdom, Manjushri, Bodhisattva	Tenzen David Zimmerman	Oct 21 2020 City Center
Boddhisattvas: Beyond Fixed Ideas, Beyond Gender (video) Serial: SF-11200 What does it mean to save every being? 10/10/2020, Tenku Ruff, dharma talk at City Center. Bodhisattva, Practice Period	Tenku Ruff	Oct 10 2020 City Center

Bodhisattva Talks

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