The SFZC Audio Archive

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Title Speaker Date

Embracing Stillness Beyond Attachments

Serial: KR-00194 The talk addresses the theme of practicing Zazen amidst daily life's distractions and delusions. It emphasizes the limitations of practicing with a goal-oriented mindset, as ideas and purposes often do not aid in navigating...
Attachment, Building, Liberation
Feb 04 1972

Mind's Maze: Unraveling Zen Reality

Serial: KR-00193 The talk discusses the concept of practice in Zen Buddhism, highlighting the idea that everything is a creation of the mind, challenging the notion of objective reality. The importance of understanding life as a series of mental...
Anger, Attachment, Posture, Religion
Feb 04 1972

Kensho Clarity: Beyond the Ego

Serial: KR-00186 The talk primarily explores the concept of "Kensho" and its potential to lead to a "crazy" perception if not understood correctly, emphasizing the distinction between genuine spiritual insight versus an ego-driven...
Suffering, Ego, Liberation, Continuous Practice, Consciousness
Feb 1972

Infinite Resonance of Zen Meditation

Serial: KR-00195 The talk explores the Zen concept of gammodoki, illustrating the human desire for satisfaction despite practicing dietary restraint. It examines Dogen's teachings on zazen, emphasizing undifferentiated practice and realization,...
Bell, Realization
Feb 1972

Living Like a Diesel Engine

Serial: KR-00181B The talk discusses Dogen’s teachings, particularly focusing on the concept of "Gyoji," a term used when life manifests dynamically, free from idealistic conceptions. The speaker draws an analogy between living one's life and...
Building, Intention, Tassajara
Feb 1972

Nowness: Interconnectedness in Zen Practice

Serial: KR-00182 This talk focuses on understanding Shakyamuni Buddha's teachings through the dual concepts of perpetual transmigration and interdependent arising. These principles emphasize the interconnectedness of life within a continuous flow...
Building, Community, Compassion, confusion, difficulty, Realization, Tassajara...
Feb 1972

Embracing Momentary Zen Impermanence

Serial: KR-00185 The talk explores the concept of Gyoji as the continuous practice of Zen, emphasizing its role as both the manifestation and the seed of Buddhas. It underscores that ultimate practice is not about attaining something with effort...
Attachment, Birth-and-Death, Community, Happiness, Liberation, Religion, Subject-and-Object,...
Feb 1972

Unfolding Reality: Embracing Dynamic Emptiness

Serial: KR-00181A The talk explores the dynamic nature of reality as described in Buddhism, emphasizing the concept of "emptiness" or "Buddha" as ever-changing and unable to be confined. It highlights the importance of "Gyoji" (continuous practice...
Compassion, Demons
Feb 1972

Zen Journey through Timeless Practice

Serial: KR-00191 The talk centers on the concept of "real practice" (Gyoji) as described by Dogen, emphasizing the importance of sustained practice and the role of a teacher in achieving true enlightenment. Through the metaphor of riding the...
Breath
Jan 30 1972

Zen Practice: Embracing the Present Moment

Serial: KR-00192 The talk focuses on contrasting the Zen practices of Soto and Rinzai schools, exploring how practice in Soto Zen, particularly Shikantaza ("just sitting"), emphasizes the revelation and maintenance of one's inherent universal...
Beginners, Fox, Hate, Liberation, Meditation, Posture, Realization, Silence
Jan 30 1972

The Essence of Tranquil Zen Practice

Serial: KR-00190 The talk emphasizes achieving tranquility, free from human agency and mental noise, by embracing the practice of Zen (Jakujō) and deepening one's awareness and compassion for oneself and others. It discusses the concept of...
Compassion, Realization, Rinzai, Samadhi
Jan 26 1972

Funeral Service for Suzuki Roshi

Serial: SR-00171 This is a full recording of Suzuki Roshi's funeral, held nine days after his death. During the funeral service for Suzuki Roshi, various speakers and participants commemorate his life and teachings. This event acknowledges the profound impact Suzuki Roshi had on the dissemination of Zen Buddhism outside of Japan...
Ceremony, Funeral, Ceremony, Discrimination, Soto Zen, Suzuki Roshi, Vow
Dec 12 1971
City Center

Awakening the Buddha Within

Serial: KR-00291 The talk centers on the concept of becoming Buddha through acceptance and practice, emphasizing the manifestation of one's own Buddha nature as seen in past, present, and future Buddhas. The discussion highlights the importance...
Dec 07 1971

Beyond Thoughts: Zen's Path to Liberation

Serial: KR-00290 The talk explores the Zen concept of non-abiding, emphasizing the transient nature of thoughts, pain, and experiences, relating them to foundational teachings by Dogen Zenji and Shakyamuni Buddha. It discusses five types of eyes...
Beginners, Birth-and-Death, Commitment, difficulty, Hate, Lay, Liberation, Pain, Tassajara...
Dec 06 1971

Peaceful Mind Through Zazen Practice

Serial: KR-00218 The talk focuses on the significance of the sesshin and the practice of Zazen, emphasizing its role in achieving a settled, peaceful mind much like Shakyamuni Buddha's enlightenment. The main purpose of sesshin and Zazen practice...
Beginners, Delusion, Evil, Hate, Instruction, Posture, Transmission, Vow
Dec 05 1971

The Flow of Continuous Awakening

Serial: KR-00289 The talk centers on the concept of "Gyoji" and "non-abiding" in Zen practice, exploring the transient and illusory nature of phenomena and religious conduct. The discussion references the root of "non-abiding" as articulated in...
Buddha Mind, Conversation, Discrimination, Hate, Impermanence, Liberation, Oneness, Tassajara...
Dec 05 1971

Big Mind, Endless Compassion Journey

Serial: KR-00288 The talk reflects on the recent passing of Suzuki Roshi, emphasizing the Buddhist concepts of "big mind" and "big patience" as articulated in Dogen Zenji's work "Tenzo Kyokun." The speaker elaborates on Dogen's descriptions of...
Big Mind, Patience, Buddha Mind, Buddha Nature, Funeral, Compassion, Suffering...
Dec 04 1971

Life's Essence: Beyond Karmic Boundaries

Serial: KR-00287 The talk explores the concept of "life in itself" and how it transcends karmic viewpoints by being pure and sustaining life moment after moment without abiding. This idea is linked to Buddhist teachings, particularly those of...
Building, Conversation, Discrimination, Evil, Greed, Mindfulness, Passions, Subject-and-Object...
Dec 03 1971

Vivid Practice Beyond Understanding

Serial: KR-00286 The talk focuses on the concept of practice, particularly the Zen notion of "Gyoji," which emphasizes practice that extends beyond self and others' understanding, akin to Shakyamuni Buddha's teachings on emptiness and Dogen Zenji...
Attachment, Gratitude, Impermanence, Realization, Tassajara
Dec 02 1971

Beyond Duality: Embracing Buddha Nature

Serial: KR-00285 The main thesis of the talk explores the concept of Gyoji, a practice reflecting Zen's focus on transcending dualistic thought, and its manifestation throughout the universe, beyond self and others. It contrasts different...
Interview, Buddha Nature, Balance, Observe, Evil, Building
Dec 01 1971

Seeing Through the Buddha's Eye

Serial: KR-00292 The talk explores the concept of the "Buddha's eye" and its role in realizing enlightenment and understanding all forms of life through Zen practice. It discusses the metaphorical use of "balloons" to illustrate stages of...
Attachment, Buddha Mind, Ceremony, Chanting, Discrimination, Gratitude, Observe, Realization,...
Dec 1971

Unity in Collective Practice

Serial: KR-00284 The talk explores the principle that practice should be in unity with the collective activities of others, as emphasized in Dogen's teachings, particularly expressing that individual over-effort contradicts the true path of...
Attachment, Discrimination, Ego, Evil
Nov 30 1971

Present Moment, True Zazen Awakening

Serial: KR-00283 The talk emphasizes the importance of living fully in the present moment through practicing Zazen, urging individuals to release preconceived notions of enlightenment and past experiences. It critiques the tendency to remain busy...
Effort, Zazen
Nov 27 1971

Present Without Projections

Serial: KR-00282 The talk addresses the challenge of perceiving and connecting with reality beyond subjective projections, using the example of perceiving "Bob" as distinct from the imagined attributes one might impose. It emphasizes the practice...
Bell, Buddha Nature, Consciousness, Discrimination, Monastic Practice, Separation, Suffering,...
Nov 27 1971

Eternal Practice: Dogen's Path to Wisdom

Serial: KR-00281 The talk delves into Dogen's concept of Gyoji, emphasizing the maintenance of Buddhist practice through religious awakening, active practice, and self-realization, which in Buddhism equates to wisdom. It discusses the nature of...
Buddha Nature, Consciousness, Nirvana, Realization
Nov 25 1971

Endless Circle of Zen Practice

Serial: KR-00280 The talk focuses on Dogen Zenji's introduction of the concept of Gyoji in his writings, emphasizing practice and the continuous path of realization. The discussion highlights the importance of Gyoji as the full essence of...
Bell, Ceremony, Nirvana, Pain, Realization, Suffering
Nov 12 1971

Reviving Genuine Zen Practices Today

Serial: KR-00279 This talk examines the transformation of traditional Zen practices, particularly the Shuso ceremony, in modern times. It critiques the ceremonial formalities lacking genuine practice and illustrates the historical and...
Building, Ceremony, confusion, Dragons, Funeral, Mahayana, Suffering, Tassajara...
Nov 05 1971

Gyoji: Practice in Action

Serial: KR-00278 The talk focuses on the concept of "gyoji," which is translated as "action" or "deed" in the context of religious practice, drawing on Dogen's teachings. The talk emphasizes that gyoji is akin to a teacher guiding students in...
Japan, Dogen
Nov 02 1971

Wholehearted Presence in Everyday Life

Serial: KR-00064 This talk explores the concept of Shikantaza, as interpreted by Dogen Zenji, emphasizing non-attachment to cultural or sectarian ideas in Buddhist practice. It discusses the integration of mindfulness and awareness in daily life...
Attachment, Beginners, Concentration, Instruction, Mahayana, Posture, Samadhi...
Oct 26 1971

Blossoming Enlightenment Through Transience

Serial: KR-00277 The talk explores the concept of Shobo Genzo Nehan Myoshin as transmitted by Shakyamuni Buddha to his disciple Kshapa, emphasizing the symbolic importance of the flower of Udumbara and its implications for enlightenment and human...
Building, Ceremony, Community, Compassion, Emotions, Funeral, Pain
Oct 22 1971

Talking To His Disciples About His Illness

Serial: SR-00186 Sunday, October 9, 1971In His Room, City Center, San Francisco In the discussion, the theme revolves around an individual sharing updates about their health diagnosis and reflections on life. The individual humorously identifies as a "lazy monk" while explaining a recent shift in...
Cancer, Teacher-and-Student, Monks
Oct 09 1971
City Center

Breaking Self-Centered Chains of Suffering

Serial: KR-00062 The talk examines the concept of bigotry and stubbornness as causes of suffering, drawing on interpretations from Buddhist texts and the Old Testament to illustrate the tendency of self-centeredness in human behavior. The...
Anger, Four Noble Truths, Greed, Mindfulness, Observe, Pain, Patience, Precepts, Tassajara...
Oct 03 1971

Transcending Ego: Path to Enlightenment

Serial: KR-00061 The talk addresses the concepts of stubbornness and self-centeredness (Jūsō) as the sources of suffering, using Zen, Buddhist teachings, and biblical narratives to illustrate these points. The discussion emphasizes the futility...
Anger, Four Noble Truths, Greed, Mindfulness, Observe, Pain, Patience, Precepts, Religion...
Oct 03 1971

Embracing Suffering Through Zen Awareness

Serial: KR-00060 The talk focuses on the Four Noble Truths, introduced by Shakyamuni Buddha post-enlightenment, highlighting how all existence is suffering, caused by illusion and ignorance, and explores the path to cessation through the...
Delusion, difficulty, Four Noble Truths, Instruction, Nirvana, Posture, Soto Zen, Suffering...
Oct 02 1971

Breaking the Chains of Illusion

Serial: KR-00059 The talk addresses the essential Buddhist teaching of the Four Noble Truths, emphasizing the inevitability and universality of suffering, its roots in illusion and ignorance, and the practice of the Eightfold Path as a mechanism...
Beginners, difficulty, Four Noble Truths, Instruction, Nirvana, Soto Zen, Suffering, Tassajara...
Oct 02 1971

Balancing Presence: The Middle Path

Serial: KR-00045 The talk examines the concept of presence within Zen practice, using the metaphor of a film frame to explain the transient nature of the present moment. The main focus is on balancing human speculation—memories and hopes—with...
Right Speech, Right Effort, Silence, Mindfulness, Hate, Balance, Patience, Concentration,...
Oct 1971

Present Moment: Embracing Zen Emptiness

Serial: KR-00044 The talk explores the nature of the present moment in Zen philosophy, emphasizing its transient and empty nature. The discourse delves into the concept of "suffering" as understood in Buddhism, highlighting it as an inherent...
Bell, Building, Emotions, Four Noble Truths, Nirvana, Patience, Samadhi, Suffering...
Oct 1971

Embracing Reality: Beyond Speculation

Serial: KR-00310 The talk discusses the intricate nature of reality through the lens of Buddhist psychology and Zen Buddhism. It explores the concept of the present moment, characterized as fleeting and sandwiched between the past and future,...
Birth-and-Death, Building, Consciousness, Culture, difficulty, Religion
Oct 1971

Zen Now: Embrace Present Purity

Serial: KR-00063 This talk explores the complexity of reality, emphasizing the importance of understanding the concept of the present moment within Zen Buddhism. The focus is on vivifying the present by detaching from speculative thoughts about...
Birth-and-Death, Building, Consciousness, difficulty
Oct 1971

Embracing Flow: Zen's Middle Way

Serial: KR-00058 The talk explores themes central to Zen Buddhism, focusing on the concept of the middle way and its implications for understanding life, death, and practice. It emphasizes Dogen Zenji's quest to reconcile the idea of Buddha...
Buddha Nature, Ceremony, Chanting, Composure, confusion, Delusion, Diversity, Soto Zen...
Sep 28 1971

Awakening Here and Now

Serial: KR-00276 The talk explores the concept of true enlightenment, emphasizing its completeness and independence from external conditions, as exemplified in the quote from Ryōka Daishi. A key theme is the futility of looking for purpose beyond...
Anger, Bell, Concentration, Delusion, Dragons, Obstacles, Precepts, Silence, Suffering...
Sep 23 1971

Embracing Stillness Amid Life's Flux

Serial: KR-00275 The talk delves into the practice of Zen, particularly the concept of "Jhana" as both stillness and deep contemplation, emphasizing the dynamic presence in stillness. It highlights Dogen's teaching on understanding life's...
Birth-and-Death, Breath, Constancy, Happiness, Hate, Meditation, Posture, Precepts, Suffering...
Sep 23 1971

Snails and the Illusion of Self

Serial: KR-00274 The talk explores the transient nature of enlightenment and identity through the metaphor of a snail and its horns, challenged by conventional titles and distinctions such as "Sensei" and "Roshi". It emphasizes the futility of...
Birth-and-Death, Ceremony, Constancy, Delusion, Emotions, Evil
Sep 22 1971

Sangaku: Path to Inner Freedom

Serial: KR-00057 The talk discusses the Buddhist concept of freedom from personal suffering through the practice of Sangaku, which comprises three types of learning: precepts, tranquility, and wisdom. It emphasizes understanding the reality of...
Evil, Precepts, Concentration, Mahayana, Breath, Happiness, Hate, Suffering, Consciousness...
Sep 21 1971

Transcending Self through Zen Awakening

Serial: KR-00272 The talk emphasizes the concept of understanding life and self through the Zen Buddhist perspective, focusing on the idea that what is often considered 'self' must be overcome and transcended. It describes a personal narrative of...
Commitment, Intention
Sep 20 1971

Embracing Life's Sacred Connection

Serial: KR-00271 The talk explores the intrinsic connection between human beings and the essence of life, emphasizing that this connection persists regardless of one's understanding or circumstances. The discussion includes reflections on the...
Ordination
Sep 19 1971

Siddha: Embracing Life's Paradoxes

Serial: KR-00270 The talk explores the philosophical implications of life’s challenges, specifically focusing on human suffering, pleasure, and the meaningful purpose of life as understood through Buddhist teachings. It addresses the paradox of...
Gratitude
Sep 18 1971

Finding Purpose Through Inner Truth

Serial: KR-00312 The talk explores the concept of finding purpose in life through Buddhist teachings, particularly focusing on the idea of realizing one's true self and truth within oneself. It examines the Buddhist approach to life through the...
Beginners, Bowing, Enthusiasm, Happiness, Hate, Karma
Sep 17 1971

Unveiling Freedom through Renunciation

Serial: KR-00056 The talk explores the profound concept of Buddha nature, emphasizing that emancipation from delusion is achievable through fully committing to Buddha's order, specifically through practicing "Shukke" (monastic renunciation). The...
Precepts, Sangha, Observe, Composure, Buddha Nature, Three Treasures, Suffering, Building,...
Sep 11 1971

Embracing Transience Through Zen Living

Serial: KR-00055 The talk explores Zen Buddhism, emphasizing the concepts of transiency and conditioned origination as described in Dogen Zenji's "Shobo Genzo." It discusses how the reality of life, Buddha nature, and practices like Zazen should...
Birth-and-Death, Buddha Nature, Building, Discrimination, Instruction, Pain, Silence,...
Aug 31 1971

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