The SFZC Audio Archive

Serial: SF-08976 03/08/2023, Ryushin Paul Haller, dharma talk at City Center. A description of the function and symbolism of the Mountain Seat ceremony. The talk focuses on the application of Dogen Zenji's teachings as outlined in "Genjo Koan," alongside the practice of the six paramitas, to cultivate awakening within life's challenges. Through personal anecdotes and reflections...

Serial: SF-09487 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha Sessions Bendowa Gui Spina on 2023-10-15 The talk centers on the concept of "Bendowa," or wholehearted engagement with life's surprises and challenges, drawing on Dogen's teachings to highlight the continuous interplay of practice and enlightenment. It underscores Dogen...

Serial: SF-08802 10/14/2023, Tenzen David Zimmerman, dharma talk at City Center. In this talk from Beginner's Mind Temple, on the occasion of SFZC’s Members and Volunteers Appreciation Day, central abbot Tenzen David Zimmerman speaks to the value... The talk emphasizes the critical role of Sangha, or community, in Zen practice, arguing that Sangha is not merely supportive but integral to the path of awakening. It discusses historical and contemporary understandings of Sangha...

Serial: SF-08847 10/18/2023, Steve Weintraub, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. In this talk, Senior Dharma Teacher Steve Weintraub explains that our practice is a big help to us; but it may not be a help in the way we usually think. How our... The talk explores how Zen practice aids practitioners, emphasizing that it is not about eliminating suffering or attaining perpetual ease, but rather about engaging with suffering as an essential aspect of human experience. It...

Serial: SF-08897 10/07/2023, Ryushin Paul Haller, dharma talk at City Center. In this talk from Beginner's Mind Temple, Ryushin Paul Haller discusses how taking refuge from the afflictions of desire, aversion and confusion, supports our... The talk emphasizes the relationship between personal experience and Zen practice, focusing on the intersection of Dogen's "Genjo Koan" and the six paramitas as a framework for understanding the human condition and achieving...

Serial: SF-08719 10/04/2023, Ryushin Paul Haller, dharma talk at City Center. In this talk from Beginner's Mind Temple, Ryushin Paul Haller discusses the three Refuges, Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, which are the first three Bodhisattva precepts.... The talk discusses the foundational role of taking refuge in Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha within Zen practice and the historical development of practice guidelines (Shingi) from India to Japan and the United States. It explores the...

Serial: SF-08898 10/01/2023, Sonja Gardenswartz, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. In this talk, Sonja Gardenswartz, a 30-year resident of SFZC illuminates the three pillars of her practice: zazen, impermanence, and awe. The talk emphasizes the practice of Zazen as a means of being present and exploring one's true self, highlights the concept of impermanence, and celebrates the awe and miracle of life. The speaker encourages mindfulness in...

Serial: SF-08852 09/30/2023, Zesho Susan O'Connell, dharma talk at City Center. In this talk from Beginner's Mind Temple, Susan O’Connell discusses how the joy of practice can support us when, as always seems to be the case, “there’s a lot going... The talk explores the theme of joy amidst life's transitions, reflecting on the transition from City Center to Enso Village, a new Zen-inspired senior living community. It addresses how pauses and mindfulness foster receptivity,...

Serial: SF-08940 09/24/2023, Tenshin Reb Anderson, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. In this talk Senior Dharma Teacher Tenshin Reb Anderson invites us to notice that our ancestors' samadhi is the simple practice in which just sitting is offered... The talk at Green Gulch Farm focuses on the practice of "just sitting" as a form of Zen meditation integral to the Buddha way, highlighting its embodiment of the Bodhisattva vows and its function as a universal communion that...

Serial: SF-09795 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha on 2023-09-24 The talk focuses on Dogen's "Bendo Wa" fascicle, exploring the concept of the "circle of the way" rather than a linear path in Zen practice. The talk highlights the ongoing process of practice and enlightenment, where direction...

Serial: SF-08736 09/17/2023, Jiryu Rutschman-Byler, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. In this talk, Jiryu explores Yunmen’s statement “Everyone has a light” (from Blue Cliff Record Case 86) and expresses the how the simple practice of sitting... The talk explores the concept of fully embracing and appreciating life as it is, emphasizing the practice of mindfulness, or sati, as a means of remembering and connecting with our inherent state of being alive. This inherent...

Serial: SF-09796 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha on 2023-09-17 The talk focuses on the commentary of Dogen's Bendowa, emphasizing the non-linear, goal-free approach to Zen practice and the concept of practice as a circle, which includes imperceptible mutual assistance and the integration of...

Serial: SF-08872 09/16/2023, Sozan Michael McCord, dharma talk at City Center. In this talk from Beginner's Mind Temple, Sozan Michael McCord explores how each of the precepts come with an intention of living so as to avoid ending up in a place... The talk emphasizes the importance of cherishing and promoting life as a central tenet of Buddhist practice, particularly through the Bodhisattva vow and the practice of loving-kindness meditation. By sharing personal anecdotes...

Serial: SF-08880 09/13/2023, Roger Hillyard, dharma talk at City Center. In this talk from Beginner's Mind Temple, Roger Hillyard explores the Boddhisattva's Four Methods of Guidance - a fascicle from Dogen Zenji's Shobogenzo on how to help all... The talk explores Dogen's "Four Methods of Bodhisattva Guidance" from the Shobogenzo, emphasizing the third method: beneficial action, which involves using skillful means to benefit all beings without discrimination and while...

Serial: SF-09497 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha Sessions Bendowa on 2023-09-10 The talk centers on the examination of Dogen's "Bendowa," highlighting its significance within Zen practice and its integral role in shaping Dogen's teachings. The discussion underlines the Bendowa's focus on "self-receiving and...

Serial: SF-09842 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha on 2023-09-10 This talk delves into the study of Dogen's Bendowa, highlighting its significance as one of the essential fascicles in Dogen's Shobogenzo, alongside Genjo Koan and Bu Shou. It discusses the historical context of Bendowa, written...

Serial: SF-08804 03/22/2023, Dan Gudgel, dharma talk at City Center. Dan Gudgel, in this third talk as shuso, discusses how holding his personal experience lightly and recognizing the limits of his individual perspective helps cultivate... The talk explores the personal experience of illness within the context of Zen practice, emphasizing the importance of non-judgmental awareness and equanimity. The discussion also highlights the support of the Zen community and...

Serial: SF-09496 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha Sessions Genjo Koan Gui Spina on 2023-09-03 The talk concludes the examination of Dogen's "Genjokoan," exploring themes of truth, continuous practice (Shugyo), and the importance of being present in the moment. It discusses Dogen's perspectives on the fluidity of reality...

Serial: SF-09725 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha on 2023-09-03 The talk focuses on completing an exploration of Dogen's "Genjo Koan" and reflects on the nature of truth and reality as understood in Zen practice. It emphasizes Dogen's teachings on continuous practice (Shugyo) and the...

Serial: SF-08813 Talk by Marcia Lieberman at City Center on 2023-09-02 The talk emphasizes the significance of libraries and books, exploring how they complement Zen practice. The discussion covers the role of reading versus hearing the Dharma, the essence of engaging actively with teachings, and...

Serial: SF-08972 Talk by Sessei Meg Levie at City Center on 2023-09-02 The talk centers on the theme of "Embracing Emptiness," exploring the deep interconnectedness and dynamic potential inherent in Zen practice. The speaker reflects on personal experiences in Zen meditation, such as an impactful...

Serial: SF-08823 08/30/2023, Dawn Neal, dharma talk at City Center. In this dharma talk from Beginner's Mind Temple, San Francisco Zen Center, Dawn Neal discusses the Mahayana Buddhist ethical precepts, with a particular focus on how to bring... The talk emphasizes the Buddhist principle of "do no harm," exploring how this overarching precept aligns with various teachings across different traditions, including the Thai Forest Tradition and Vinaya. Reflections on...

Serial: SF-08948 08/27/2023, angel Kyodo williams, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Rev. angel Kyodo williams concludes a three-day retreat with this Dharma talk remiding us that past and future are contained in Now. We must Just Return. The talk emphasizes the importance of not over-idealizing Zen practice and encourages embracing the ordinary and immediate present. The speaker reflects on the teachings of Suzuki Roshi, advocating for an approach to Zen that...

Serial: SF-08822 08/23/2023, Anshi Zachary Smith, dharma talk at City Center. The most striking feature of the famous Koan recorded as Case 1 of the Blue Cliff Record and entitled, in Cleary’s translation, as “The Highest Meaning of the Holy... The talk delves into the tension between conventional understanding and realization, using the first koan of the Blue Cliff Record, featuring Bodhidharma and Emperor Wu, to illustrate this dynamic. It emphasizes the limits of...