You are currently logged-out. You can log-in or create an account to see more talks, save favorites, and more.
Zazen Talks

Zazen is a meditative discipline that is typically the primary practice of the Zen Buddhist tradition.
The generalized Japanese term for meditation is 瞑想 (meisō); however, zazen has been used informally to include all forms of seated Buddhist meditation. The term zuòchán can be found in early Chinese Buddhist sources, such as the Dhyāna sutras. For example, the famous translator Kumārajīva (344–413) translated a work termed Zuòchán sān mēi jīng (A Manual on the Samādhi of Sitting Meditation) and the Chinese Tiantai master Zhiyi (538–597 CE) wrote some very influential works on sitting meditation.
The meaning and method of zazen varies from school to school, but in general it is a quiet type of Buddhist meditation done in a sitting posture like the lotus position. The practice can be done with various methods, such as following the breath (anapanasati), mentally repeating a phrase (which could be a koan, a mantra, a huatou or nianfo) and a kind of open monitoring in which one is aware of whatever comes to our attention (sometimes called shikantaza or silent illumination). Repeating a huatou, a short meditation phrase, is a common method in Chinese Chan and Korean Seon. Meanwhile, nianfo, the practice of silently reciting the Buddha Amitabha's name, is common in the traditions influenced by Pure Land practice, and was also taught by Chan masters like Zongmi.
In the Japanese Buddhist Rinzai school, zazen is usually combined with the study of koans. The Japanese Sōtō school makes less or no use of koans, preferring an approach known as shikantaza where the mind has no object at all.
Title | Speaker | |
---|---|---|
Yes!Serial: SF-01100 Sesshin Lecture: just sitting with no technique or theme; monk: what about when not carrying anything? Zhaozhou: put it down; Shakyamuni holding up the flower; zazen in... Practice, Time, Zazen |
Apr 02 2006 Green Gulch |
|
Practice PeriodSerial: SF-00034 Origins of PP, meaning of 'ango'; Dogen's essay; resistance; hermit Jim; Rumi poems. Practice Period, Buddha Ancestors, Zazen, Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, resistance,... |
Feb 19 2006 |
|
Shuso TalkSerial: SF-04732 #shuso-talk Sanctuary, Zazen, Bodhidharma |
Dec 05 2005 Tassajara |
|
Zendo Lecture Precepts, Suzuki Roshi, Observe, Teacher-and-Student, Non-duality, Ego, training,... |
Sep 01 2005 Tassajara |
|
Dining Room Lecture Posture, Zendo, Mindfulness, training, Big Mind, Bell, Bowing, Suzuki Roshi, Zazen,... |
Aug 31 2005 Tassajara |
|
Chewing Rice, Embracing Emptiness Practice, Delusion, Zazen |
Jul 16 2005 Tassajara |
|
Dining Room Lecture Practice, Zazen, Time |
Jun 24 2005 Tassajara |
|
Sitting ZazenSerial: SF-03488 Sesshin 3 Day 1 Zazen, Posture, Breath |
Mar 23 2005 Tassajara |
|
Hokyo Zammai Class Practice, Zazen, Buddha |
Mar 10 2005 Tassajara |
|
Hokyo Zammai Class Practice, Wisdom, Zazen |
Mar 10 2005 Tassajara |
|
Big MindSerial: SF-03504 Sesshin 2 Day 2 Practice, Zazen, Breath |
Feb 21 2005 Tassajara |
|
The Direct Experience of RealitySerial: SF-03669 Sesshin 1 Day 5: practice is right where you are - practice is/of sensitivity. Practice, Enlightenment, Zazen |
Jan 29 2005 Tassajara |
|
The Art of Zen: True ConcentrationSerial: SF-03666 Sesshin 1 Day 1 Practice, Zazen, Time |
Jan 25 2005 Tassajara |
|
Lotus Sutra ClassSerial: SF-03549 Dining Room Class Lotus Sutra, Ceremony, Perfect Wisdom, Buddha Nature, Nirvana, Zazen, Practice Period... |
Nov 03 2004 Tassajara |
|
Stillness in Motion: Zen Harmony Practice, Zazen, Stillness |
Aug 04 2004 Tassajara |
|
Flop DogSerial: SF-01103 One-day sitting lecture: not accomplishing anything. Time, Practice, Zazen |
Jul 17 2004 Green Gulch |
|
Which Is The Real Seijo?Serial: SF-00967 One-day sitting lecture: when our "soul is split", what is true? Just sitting in the midst of samsara. Letting Go, Four Noble Truths, Suzuki Roshi, Big Mind, Subject-and-Object, Buddha... |
Jun 19 2004 Green Gulch |
|
Hsin Hsin MingSerial: SF-01901 Zendo Lecture Faith, Don't Know Mind, Equanimity, Emptiness, Perfect Wisdom, Beginners,... |
Jun 18 2004 Tassajara |
|
Dining Room LectureSerial: SF-01927 Evening talk Practice, Time, Zazen |
May 01 2004 Tassajara |
|
Unveiling Stillness Through Zen Practice Time, Practice, Zazen |
Mar 27 2004 City Center |
|
Just Being Alive Is EnoughSerial: SF-01094 The season. Vows. New Year's Resolution Time, Suzuki Roshi, Zazen |
Dec 28 2003 Green Gulch |
|
Dogen Class: Miracles Zazen, Intimacy, Lineage, Dream World, Lotus Sutra, Teacher-and-Student, Don't... |
Nov 17 2003 Green Gulch |
|
Dogen - Being Familiar With The Entire BodySerial: SF-00039 Sunday talk. realization, Buddha Ancestors, Delusion, Precepts, true dharma, Lotus Sutra, Oneness... |
May 18 2003 |
|
Zendo Lecture Zazen, Practice, Ego |
Mar 11 2003 Tassajara |
|
Not Always So Class Buddha Nature, Emptiness, Bodhidharma, Zazen, Suzuki Roshi, realization, Religion,... |
Nov 18 2002 Tassajara |
|
Embrace Openness Through Zazen Practice Suzuki Roshi, Buddha Nature, Zazen, Manjushri, Practice Period, Buddha Ancestors,... |
Oct 19 2002 City Center |
|
Embracing Oneness Through Zenki Practice Time, Zazen, Dogen |
Aug 10 2002 City Center |
|
Wednesday Lecture Practice Period, Instruction, Suzuki Roshi, realization, Buddha Ancestors, Delusion,... |
Feb 28 2001 Green Gulch |
|
Sunday Lecture Ceremony, Attachment, Dragons, Commitment, Letting Go, Zazen, Big Mind, Greed, Suzuki... |
Nov 26 2000 Green Gulch |
|
Tenzo Kyokun Class Emptiness, Dragons, Intimacy, Dharma Transmission, Zazen, Hindrances, Impermanence,... |
Nov 21 2000 Green Gulch |
|
Sunday Lecture Gratitude, Balance, Zazen, Cultivation, zen meditation, Priest, Conversation,... |
Nov 12 2000 Green Gulch |
|
Sunday Lecture Suzuki Roshi, Conversation, Doubt, Don't Know Mind, Religion, Faith, Letting Go... |
Oct 08 2000 Green Gulch |
|
Sunday Lecture Monastic Practice, Zazen, Religion, Commitment, Big Mind, Buddha Ancestors, Soto Zen... |
Aug 20 2000 Green Gulch |
|
Wednesday Lecture Precepts, Bodhisattva Precepts, Ordination, Suzuki Roshi, Patience, Liberation, Zazen... |
May 03 2000 Green Gulch |
|
Sunday Lecture Freedom, resistance, Evil, Zendo, Priest, Emotions, Hate, Zazen, Doubt, Faith... |
Apr 23 2000 Green Gulch |
|
Sesshin Lecture Suzuki Roshi, Practice Period, Zazen, Monkey Mind, Chanting, Tassajara Zen Mountain... |
Apr 10 2000 Green Gulch |
|
Fukanzazengi ClassSerial: SF-03654 Monday Class Zazen, Instruction, Soto Zen, Posture, realization, Dragons, Lineage, Suzuki Roshi,... |
Mar 27 2000 Green Gulch |
|
Fukanzazengi ClassSerial: SF-03655 Monday Class Posture, Monkey Mind, Suzuki Roshi, true dharma, Zazen, Branching Streams,... |
Mar 20 2000 Green Gulch |
|
Fukanzazengi ClassSerial: SF-03656 Monday Class Posture, Zazen, Monastic Practice, realization, true dharma, Lineage, confusion, Don... |
Mar 13 2000 Green Gulch |
|
Sunday Lecture Letting Go, Ceremony, Freedom, Zazen, Bodhidharma, Interview, Mindfulness, Silence,... |
Mar 05 2000 Green Gulch |
|
Fukanzazengi ClassSerial: SF-03517 Monday Class Hsin Hsin Ming, Buddha Nature, confusion, Platform Sutra, realization, Bodhisattva... |
Feb 28 2000 Green Gulch |
|
Sunday Lecture Ceremony, Instruction, Letting Go, Practice Period, Delusion, Zazen, Family Practice... |
Feb 20 2000 Green Gulch |
|
Embracing Mindfulness as Everyday Enlightenment Zazen, Time, Emptiness |
Dec 07 1999 City Center |
|
One-day Sitting Lecture Faith, Buddha Nature, Suzuki Roshi, Zazen, Ceremony, Non-duality, Equanimity, Six... |
Jul 17 1999 Green Gulch |
|
Father's DaySerial: SF-03233 Sunday Lecture Teacher-and-Student, Suzuki Roshi, Samsara, Intimacy, confusion, Daily Life, Giving-... |
Jun 20 1999 Green Gulch |
|
Eight Characteristics of Suzuki Roshi's TeachingSerial: SF-03110 Sunday Lecture - Discussion - duplicate Suzuki Roshi, Zazen, Buddha Nature, Freedom, Posture, Teacher-and-Student,... |
Feb 28 1999 Green Gulch |
|
Eight Characteristics of Suzuki Roshi's TeachingSerial: SF-03137 Sunday Lecture - first Sunday of practice period Suzuki Roshi, Impermanence, Commitment, Vow, Lineage, Buddha Nature, Freedom, Faith,... |
Feb 21 1999 Green Gulch |
|
Eight Characteristics of Suzuki Roshi's TeachingSerial: SF-03111 Sunday Lecture - Questions and Answers - duplicate Suzuki Roshi, Impermanence, Commitment, Lineage, Buddha Nature, Freedom, Faith, Zazen... |
Feb 21 1999 Green Gulch |