The SFZC Audio Archive

Serial: SF-10961 The well of the ego and breaking through karma. Intergenerational trauma and suffering. What are we passing down? 03/25/2021, Chikudo Catherine Spaeth, dharma talk at City Center. The talk explores the concept of interbeing and personal transformation through Zen teachings and real-life examples, emphasizing experiences that inspire trust in the universe and acknowledging the 'gritty side' of Zen where...

Serial: SF-11125 In this sesshin talk by Sokaku Kathie Fischer, she continues a three-week exploration of Dogen's Shobogenzo Ziomonki highlighting the themes of practicing in Sangha and learning to trust ourselves in the work. She also encourages... The talk emphasizes the essence and practice of Zazen in Zen Buddhism, as discussed in Dogen's teachings. The practice of Zazen is highlighted as an essential, sincere, and non-attaining activity, distinguishing it from...

Serial: SF-11107 On the first day of a three-day sesshin, Zoketsu Norman Fischer shares with us Dogen Zenji's Book 4, Section 7 of the Zuimonki, with commentary on the themes of the true nature of mind, home leaving, and encouragement to choose... The talk explores the teachings of Dogen in his text "Zuimonki," emphasizing the need to transform fixed views to alleviate personal and collective suffering. The discussion includes Dogen’s concept that true realization...

Serial: SF-11146 In Shobogenzo Zuimonki Book 1, Eihei Dogen Zenji repeatedly explores the theme of taking up "just one thing." In this talk, Kathie Fischer explores what it is in life and in practice to practice with "just one thing" and what is... The talk emphasizes Dogen's teachings, particularly from "Zui Monki," highlighting the importance of focusing attention on one thing to gain competence and steadiness of mind. Discussions include the notion that Buddhist practice...

Serial: SF-10993 First talk of a 3-week Intensive on Dogen's work Zuimonki. 03/03/2021, Zoketsu Norman Fischer, dharma talk at City Center. The talk centers on Dogen's text, Zui Monki, introducing foundational ideas for a three-week intensive study. The primary focus is on the importance of aspiration in Zen practice, illustrating how a genuine desire to embody...

Serial: SF-11016 Weaving together the karmic consciousness of our lives and the land we inhabit. 02/28/2021, Jokai Carolyn Cavanagh, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. The talk discusses the stewardship history of Green Gulch Farm, emphasizing the interconnectedness of land, community, and practice. It examines the continuous environmental efforts in the area from the management by Kos Miwok,...

Serial: SF-11118 A reflection on Lunar new year and the traditions of the Lantern festivals and the arising of the question" Where is home?" What is your riddle? 02/24/2021, Gendo Lucy Xiao, dharma talk at City Center. The talk explores the cultural significance and personal reflections on the Lantern Festival, a celebration marking the first full moon of the Lunar New Year. It invokes poetic descriptions by Xin Qiji and Su Shi of the Song...

Serial: SF-11126 When the Emperor of China asked Bodhidharma who he was, the great teacher replied “Don’t know.” How do we respond when asked this very question? 02/21/2021, Furyu Nancy Schroeder, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. The talk explores identity, entanglement, and the Buddhist path to liberation through Zen practice. It references Bodhidharma's teachings, especially the "Bloodstream Sermon," emphasizing the mind's role in enlightenment. The...

Serial: SF-11055 Buddhist practice and teachings on personal and communal resilience that can help us to heal into wholeness. 02/22/2021, Tenzen David Zimmerman, dharma talk at City Center. This talk discusses the concept of resilience from a Buddhist perspective, focusing on both personal and communal aspects amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and socio-political challenges. The speaker emphasizes resilience as an aspect...

Serial: SF-11057 Tenshin Roshi teaches on Zen meditation as the intimacy of solitary awakening and social awakening. 02/14/2021, Tenshin Reb Anderson, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. In the talk, the multifaceted nature of Zen meditation, or zazen, is explored, emphasizing its personal and interpersonal dimensions. Zen practice is described as an activity of awakening that involves embracing both personal...

Serial: SF-10972 Welcome/opening to the 3-day sesshin focusing on the Brahma Viharas and warm-hearted zazen. Emphasis in this talk, Metta. 02/10/2021,Horin Nancy Petrin, Jiryu Rutschman-Byler, dharma talk at City Center. The talk explores the concept of love within Zen practice, particularly focusing on how it can be applied and understood during the time of COVID. It emphasizes the importance of genuine, self-explored love rather than...

Serial: SF-10923 Eijun Roshi offers a description of Buddha's mind: a tender heart toward all sentient beings as if they were babies 02/07/2021, Eijun Linda Cutts, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. The talk primarily explores the concept of Buddha's mind, emphasizing compassion and tenderness, akin to caring for a child. This aligns with Dogen's interpretation of maintaining virtuous realization through compassion for all...

Serial: SF-11133 Reflections on harmonious activity and co-operation for our common good. 02/03/2021, Jisan Tova Green, dharma talk at City Center. The talk focuses on "harmonious activity" or cooperation as a means to connect with one another, especially during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. It discusses the Buddha's "four means of embracing others" which include...

Serial: SF-10969 A talk, at the conclusion of the Lotus Sutra Intensive, on Chapter Two of the Lotus Sutra. 01/31/2021, Kokyo Henkel, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. The talk revisits critical aspects of the Lotus Sutra, particularly its second chapter on "skillful means," emphasizing the inexpressible nature of ultimate reality and the necessity for evolving interpretations. The speaker...

Serial: SF-11086 A talk on the Lotus Sutra and the parable of the prodigal son. This very moment is the way to buddhahood if we would just get out of our way. 01/27/2021, Furyu Nancy Schroeder, dharma talk at City Center. This talk explores the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, emphasizing its parables and the concept of skillful means, or "skyhooks", used by the Buddha to guide individuals towards awakening. The parable of the prodigal son...

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 at Green Gulch Farm. The talk explores the study of the Lotus Sutra, particularly focusing on its all-inclusive view on spiritual identity and its teachings on enlightenment through the "One Buddha Vehicle." The discourse delves into the characters...

Serial: SF-11090 A talk on the day of the presidential inauguration and offering Buddhist practice and the cultivation of generosity of spirit as a legacy. 01/20/2021, Nikki Mighafori, dharma talk at City Center. The talk reflects on themes of unity, generosity, and impermanence, drawing an analogy between the inaugural moments and personal reflections from the Theravada tradition. It emphasizes the crucial practice of sharing blessings...

Serial: SF-11105 A talk in honor of Martin Luther King, Buddhist practice and the study of our nervous systems in order to understand fear and aversion and grow our capacity to welcome and love one another. 01/16/2021, Dr. Larry Ward, dharma talk... The talk examines the intersection of Zen practice and social justice, focusing on the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. and Thich Nhat Hanh. It stresses the need for mindfulness in addressing societal challenges such as racism...

Serial: SF-10953 Sojun Mel Weitsman Roshi's three Green Gulch resident Dharma Heirs - Steve Weintraub, Sara Tashker, and Jiryu Rutschman-Byler - share their reflections on their late teacher's teaching. The talk reflects on the teachings and legacy of Mel Weitzman Roshi, a disciple of Suzuki Roshi, emphasizing his embodiment of the Zen principle of "nothing special" and the ordinary nature of profound practice. Personal...

Serial: SF-11047 How do we enfold ourselves in the teaching? An exploration of the robe chant, how we can imagine wearing the robe-- and how the robe is considered by Dogen and the Lotus Sutra. 01/06/2021, Marcia Lieberman, dharma talk at City... This talk explores the symbolic significance of the robe in Zen practice, using it as a metaphor for being enveloped in and sharing the Dharma teachings. It investigates how the robe represents teachings that are available to...

Serial: SF-11375 A talk in honor of our precious teacher Sojun Mel Weitsman, as he nears the end of his life. 12/27/2020, Fu Schroeder dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. The talk reflects on the life and teachings of Sojin Mel Weitzman, emphasizing the enduring impact of the Dharma and Zen practice. The speaker recounts personal experiences with Weitzman, highlighting his humorous, disciplined...

Serial: SF-11204 Celebrating and appreciating one's own resilience and practice. 12/19/2020, Kiku Christina Lehnherr dharma talk at City Center. This talk at the San Francisco Zen Center, delivered virtually, reflects on the experiences and challenges of 2020 by drawing parallels to Buddhist teachings. The speaker emphasizes interconnectedness and impermanence, drawing on...

Serial: SF-08528 A talk by Tenshin Roshi on practicing the Buddha Way within difficulty. 12/13/2020, Tenshin Reb Anderson, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. The talk addresses the duality of experiencing blessings and acknowledging historical injustices, emphasizing the importance of practicing compassion and recognizing the interconnectedness of all beings. The speaker highlights...

Serial: SF-11188 An exploration of the practice of giving from Dogen's Fasicle Bodai Satta Shoboho, 12/09/2020, TEACHER, dharma talk at City Center. The talk explores the interconnectedness of all beings through the lens of Zen Buddhism, particularly focusing on the teachings of Zen Master Dogen. The speaker examines Dogen's "Bodhisattva's Four Methods of Guidance,"...