The SFZC Audio Archive The SFZC Audio Archive

You are currently logged-out. You can log-in or create an account to save favorites and more. more info

Showing 5883 talks
 

- Reset Search

Title Speaker Date

The Driver

Serial: SR-00119 The talk discusses the concept of "mumyo" or delusion, emphasizing the importance of having a clear understanding and guidance (a "driver") to progress toward enlightenment. Obstacles such as misidentifying...
Anger, Karma, Zazen, Freedom, Tassajara, Peace, Posture, Pain, War
Feb 27 1971
City Center

Be Kind with Yourself

Serial: SR-00112 Warm-hearted practice. Breathing and posture in zazen. We all have different circumstances, but in the monastery, we have one practice. Rules give freedom to practice. The main thesis of the talk centers on the significance of embodying warmth and kindness in one's zazen practice, emphasizing that following instructions alone is insufficient without infusing them with compassion and a...
Dogen, Zazen, Tatsugami, Freedom, Instruction, Monks, Posture, Priest
Feb 23 1971
Tassajara

Talk on Chiji Shingi

Serial: SF-06114C The talk focuses on the Zen concept of Chiji Shingi and highlights the principle that the essence of perception and enlightenment does not change fundamentally, but the understanding and perspective transform through experience...
Buddha, Time, Enlightenment
Feb 22 1971
Tassajara

It Is Actually Buddha's Practice

Serial: SF-06114B The main thesis of the talk emphasizes that true practice in Zen involves embodying Buddha's practice rather than perceiving it as a personal endeavor. This concept suggests that selfless practice leads to liberation from...
Sesshin, Tatsugami, Zazen, Karma
Feb 20 1971
Tassajara

Talk for Spring Practice Period

Serial: SF-06114A The talk focuses on the concept of Shikantaza in Zen practice, emphasizing its value as wholehearted, self-abandoning meditation pivotal in achieving the Zen ideal of Samadhi. Shikantaza requires practitioners to settle into...
Wisdom, Time, Practice
Feb 18 1971
Tassajara

Calmness of your Mind

Serial: SR-00079 Saturday Morning, February 13, 1971 San Francisco The talk addresses the concept of achieving true calmness of mind through Zen practice, particularly zazen, emphasizing the oneness with surroundings and experiences, rather than simple physical seclusion or the avoidance of...
Sesshin, Attachment, Beginners, Community, New Year, Oneness, Pain, Suffering...
Feb 13 1971
City Center

Just Enough Problems

Serial: SR-00273 Sesshin Lecture, Lecture 7: Page Street Apples Friday Morning February 12, 1971 San Francisco The talk discusses the acceptance and appreciation of life's problems in the context of Zen practice, emphasizing the idea that one is always presented with just enough problems by Buddha to foster growth and understanding. It...
Sesshin, War, Enemies, Hate
Feb 12 1971
A
City Center

Not Sticking to Enlightenment

Serial: SF-05445B ===== Awakening the Archive - Tape #26, by Shundo David Haye ===== It's not completely clear how this talk dropped off the radar, as the tape had been copied and transcribed previously – indeed, it features in Not... The talk centers on the challenges of transitioning from sesshin to everyday life, emphasizing non-attachment to 'enlightenment' as a fixed goal. It highlights the teachings of the Sixth Patriarch Huineng, particularly the notion...
Sesshin, Sixth Ancestor, Emptiness
Feb 12 1971
B
City Center

Humor Is More Real Than Reallity

Serial: SR-00274 Sesshin Lecture No. 5Tuesday, February 9, 1971San Francisco The talk explores the role of humor in Zen practice, suggesting that true humor requires a deeper understanding beyond normal reality. It illustrates how Zen teachings often use humor to convey serious insights, drawing on...
Sesshin, Eiheiji, Dogen, Discrimination, Dragons, Emotions, Instruction
Feb 09 1971
City Center

Wherever You Go, You Will See Yourself

Serial: SR-00271 Sesshin Lecture No. 3 Sunday Afternoon or Evening February 7, 1971 San Francisco The lecture explores the concept of self-discovery in Zen practice, emphasizing the futility of pursuing a self-centered understanding of 'self' and highlighting the importance of encountering oneself through authentic practice....
Sesshin, Tozan, Sandokai, Death, Discrimination, Freedom, Precepts
Feb 07 1971
City Center

Resuming Big Mind

Serial: SR-00272 Sesshin Lecture No. 1Friday, February 5, 1971San Francisco [”For this seven-day sesshin, there are only transcriptions for lectures given on Days 1, 3, 5, 7, and the closing words. I don't know if those were the only... The talk focuses on the practice of sesshin and the distinction between Big Mind and Small Mind in Zen meditation. The purpose of sesshin is highlighted as resuming Big Mind by controlling the Small Mind, with a metaphor drawn...
Sesshin, Big Mind, Zuimonki, Hate, Zoom, Zazen, Anger, Ceremony, Pain
Feb 05 1971
City Center

Wherever I Go, I Meet Myself

Serial: SR-00123 The talk elaborates on the concept of self-awareness and criticizes modern and religious notions of self-improvement. It challenges the notion of self-knowledge through objective observation and highlights the futility of...
Tozan, Liberation, Culture, Freedom
Jan 23 1971
City Center

Advancing Towards Everyday Enlightenment

Serial: KR-00311 The talk focuses on the nature of enlightenment through the lens of Zen teachings, specifically discussing the concept of Bukkojo—the continuous advancement towards Buddhahood—and how it applies to everyday practice. It examines...
Bell, Buddha Nature, Community, Conversation, Discrimination, Dragons, Mahayana, Suffering...
Jan 19 1971

The Boss of Everything

Serial: SR-00204 The talk examines the purpose of zazen practice, emphasizing the concept of being the "boss of everything" by transcending delusional ideas of self and surroundings. It critiques the misunderstanding of self-control and...
Zazen, Big Mind, Precepts, Bodhidharma, Zazen, Suffering
Jan 16 1971
City Center

True Concentration

Serial: SR-00078 Right ConcentrationSunday, January 10, 1971San Francisco The talk focuses on the concept of "Right Concentration" in Zen practice, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a calm, clear, and open mind through zazen meditation. This approach contrasts with focusing solely on...
Avalokitesvara, Tatsugami, Shushogi, Freedom, Concentration, Commitment, Posture...
Jan 10 1971
City Center

What Is Self?

Serial: SR-00077 This talk explores the concept of self in the context of Zen practice, emphasizing that understanding one's true self is crucial for authentic zazen practice. The speaker distinguishes between "universal self,"...
Eiheiji, Kosho Uchiyama, Ceremony
Jan 03 1971
City Center

Enlightenment: A Journey Beyond Attainment

Serial: KR-00314 The talk delves into the essence of Zazen practice, highlighting the importance of proper posture and mindful attention akin to a mother's care for a newborn. It discusses the concept of Buddha and non-Buddha, focusing on the...
Discrimination, Pain, Beginners, Buddha Nature, Religion, Interdependence, Lineage, Intention...
1971

Breath and Being in Harmony

Serial: KR-00332 This talk discusses the practice of breath regulation in Zazen, focusing on the teachings of Keizan Zen Master and the concept of "Makaseru," which implies trusting and relying on one's breath with mindful attention. It...
Breath, Interdependence, Emotions
1971

No Practice Will Destroy People

Serial: SR-00074 The talk articulates the concept that without a dedicated practice, individuals can lose their sense of purpose in life, more so than they might from physical sickness. Through an exploration of Dogen Zenji's teachings, it...
Dogen, Dogen
Dec 27 1970
City Center

Teisho (Introduced by Jakusho Kwong)

Serial: SF-05452B Mill Valley Zendo, talk by Suzuki Roshi The talk emphasizes the importance of zazen practice in countering the detrimental karmic effects caused by human actions that harm the environment. It distinguishes between the greater opportunity for starting anew in America...
Karma, Japan, Emptiness, Precepts, Ego, Evil
Dec 23 1970
Mill Valley Zendo

Chanting Service

Serial: SF-05452A Service before talk by Suzuki Roshi on the same occasion The talk centers on a chanting service, highlighted by recitations and thanks associated with Mooji, likely reflecting on themes related to spiritual community and mindfulness through repetitive gratitude expressions. The service...
Bodhisattva
Dec 23 1970
Mill Valley Zendo

What Is Self? What Is Our Practice?

Serial: SR-00073 The talk explores the concepts of self and practice within Buddhism, contrasting Japanese societal tendencies towards group conformity, termed "group bo-kei," with American individualism. It emphasizes the Buddhist...
Japan, Kosho Uchiyama, Building, Precepts, Greed, Ego
Dec 20 1970
City Center

Living Compassion Through Zen Wisdom

Serial: KR-00209 The talk emphasizes the significance of practicing Buddhist compassion in daily life, highlighting the Four Vows of Zen as a framework for integrating these teachings. It explores the progression from the practice of compassion...
Compassion, Delusion, Realization, Pain
Dec 15 1970

Standing Upright: Tranquil Advancement

Serial: KR-00210 The talk centers on the concept of "standing upright" in the Buddha's path, emphasizing the importance of advancing continuously with tranquility and stillness, as outlined by Dogen. This mode of progression is described as the...
Vow
Dec 15 1970

Japan Now: Zazen As Our Foundation

Serial: SR-00072 Lecture after Trip to Japan:Sunday, December 13, 1970 This talk reflects on the changes observed in Japan, emphasizing the significance of zazen meditation as the foundational practice to counter the busy life and the loss of cultural depth in modern Japanese society. The discussion...
Japan, Mishima, Dharma Transmission, Ceremony, Culture, Meditation
Dec 13 1970

Compassionate Living in Zen Practice

Serial: KR-00211 The talk explores the importance of compassion in Zen practice, emphasizing the need to treat all sentient beings with care, similar to caring for oneself. It also addresses overcoming egoism, controlling desires, and adhering to...
Attachment, Bell, Ego, Evil, Karma, Obstacles, Oneness, Samadhi
Dec 13 1970

Compassion's Path: Bridging Illusion and Reality

Serial: KR-00212 The talk primarily discusses the Buddhist concept of compassion, focusing on the dual aspects of maitri (ji) and karuna (hi), and how these inform the practice of relieving both the sufferings and illusions of sentient beings. It...
Attachment, Building, Community, Compassion, Delusion, Happiness, Hate, Suffering...
Dec 13 1970

Living the Bodhisattva Path Daily

Serial: KR-00213 The talk emphasizes the practical application of living the Bodhisattva way by integrating vows into daily life, rejecting superficial interpretations, and emphasizing direct experience and understanding of one's true nature and...
Bell, Compassion, Delusion, Evil, Hate, Lay Practice, Vow
Dec 12 1970

Embodying Enlightenment Through Daily Vows

Serial: KR-00214 The talk explores the significance of the Four Vows within the context of Zen practice, emphasizing their integration into daily life to embody the path of a Bodhisattva. It discusses the interplay between karma and enlightenment...
Vow, Sanctuary, Consciousness, Mahayana, Causation, Beginners, Silence, Delusion, Religion...
Dec 11 1970

Gliding Beyond the Enlightened State

Serial: KR-00215 The talk elaborates on the concept of Bukkojo, a state beyond the traditional understanding of Buddha and enlightenment, as described by Dogen Zenji and the Tozan Zen master. Bukkojo represents the fully realized state of an...
Silence, Conversation, Balance, Delusion
Dec 05 1970

Leaping Beyond Self: Zen Awakening

Serial: KR-00217 The talk revisits the teachings of Dōgen Zenji regarding self-study and the first of the four bodhisattva vows, emphasizing the progression from studying Buddhism to studying the self, which leads to enlightenment and freedom...
Concentration, Evil, Meditation, Monastic Practice, Pain, Religion, Teacher-and-Student, Vow...
Dec 05 1970

Living Zen: Embodying Dharma Principles

Serial: KR-00216 The talk explores the principles and practices of Zen as discussed through various teachings, emphasizing the importance of the monastic rules in Zen Buddhism as means to educate and cultivate oneself rather than conforming to...
Transmission, Meditation, Tassajara, Hindrances, Samadhi, Concentration, Religion, Instruction...
Dec 1970

Unwavering Practice: Path to Awakening

Serial: KR-00065 The talk emphasizes the significance of continuous practice, or Gyoji, in Buddhist practice, as outlined in the Avatamsaka Sutra and further elaborated by Dogen in Shobo Genzo. Gyoji is described as an uninterrupted devotion that...
Birth-and-Death, Buddha Nature, Building, Ceremony, Continuous Practice, Hate, Soto Zen...
Nov 20 1970

Finding Peace in Unyielding Acceptance

Serial: KR-00219 The talk examines the concept of finding peace and security in life through Buddhist practice, with a focus on the Japanese notion of "anjin," a state of assurance beyond duality. It explores Dogen's writing, "Gakudo Yojinshu,”...
Birth-and-Death, Delusion, Demons, Enemies, Pain, Patience, Silence, Transmission...
Oct 07 1970

Embracing Life's Dance with Acceptance

Serial: KR-00220 The talk delves into the concept of "willing acceptance" within the framework of Buddhist patience, specifically exploring the teachings of Anutpática Dhammakshanti, which represents ultimate acceptance beyond birth and...
Enemies, Funeral, Happiness, Interdependence, Meditation, Pain, Patience, Silence...
Oct 05 1970

Silent Acceptance in Zen Practice

Serial: KR-00221 This talk examines the concept of "peaceful patience" in Zen Buddhism, emphasizing the acceptance of reality and the limitations of intellectualizing spiritual questions. The discussion is anchored on the Zen story of Master...
Buddha Nature, Community, Mahayana, Patience, Silence
Oct 05 1970

Zen: Path to Inner Assurance

Serial: KR-00222 The main thesis of this talk revolves around the understanding and practice of "Anjin," a state of religious security and assurance of one's existence, particularly through Sesshin, a strict period of Zazen. The speaker...
Anger, Breath, Building, Delusion, Ego, Emotions, Patience, Silence
Oct 03 1970

Roots of Zen: Unraveling Delusions

Serial: KR-00174 The talk explores the intricate view of Zen practice in addressing both emotional and intellectual delusions, likening these challenges to cutting the roots of a lotus. The discussion progresses through the five wrong views,...
Birth-and-Death, Vow, Silence, Fasting, Anger, Lay Practice, Community, Delusion, Religion,...
Sep 27 1970

Kashaya: Trust and Existence Unveiled

Serial: KR-00173 The talk focuses on the concept of the Kashaya robe and its symbolic role in manifesting the spirit of priest life. It highlights the juxtaposition between the complexity of priestly teachings and the efforts of laypeople to...
Fasting, Chanting, Vow, Precepts, Hate, Separation, Culture, Lay Practice, Ceremony...
Sep 22 1970

Embracing Life's Direct Experience

Serial: KR-00172 The talk explores the concept of "great reality" or "Adarsha Jnana," a wisdom beyond intellectual understanding, urging direct engagement with life’s phenomena rather than focusing solely on results. It emphasizes that practices...
Building, Culture, Delusion, Intention, Intuition, Patience, Posture
Sep 20 1970

Zazen Harmony Through Emptiness

Serial: KR-00309 The lecture explores the concept of "Buddhist love" through the lens of emptiness and interconnectedness, emphasizing the practice of Zazen as a means to experience a responsive rapport with the truth and one's Buddha nature. It...
Bowing, Ceremony, Hate, Mahayana, Pain, Posture, Realization, Religion
Sep 15 1970

Zen Harmony: Beyond Rituals

Serial: KR-00308 The talk examines the relationship and teachings between Dogen Zenji and his master, Nyojo Zenji, emphasizing the concept of "kanno doko" or responsive intercommunication, which transcends traditional religious connections. It...
Bowing, Buddha Nature, Ceremony, Chanting, Culture, Emotions, Lay Practice, Oneness, Posture...
Sep 13 1970

When Someone Receives Transmission

Serial: SR-00071 Tuesday, August 25, 1970San Francisco The talk addresses the significance of transmission in Zen practice, emphasizing the importance of foundational teachings and how they should be translated and transmitted accurately to ensure a clear understanding of Zen...
Dharma Transmission, Richard Baker, Japan, Ceremony, Buddha Nature, Culture, Death, Forms,...
Aug 25 1970
City Center

Lay Ordination Ceremony

Serial: SR-00069B ===== Awakening the Archive - Tape #25, by Shundo David Haye ===== This tape, which is unfortunately very poorly recorded, gives us a sense of the lay ordination ceremony that took place at City Center in August 1970. During the... The talk centers on the lay ordination ceremony conducted in August 1970, highlighting the significance of lay ordination in aligning with the bodhisattva way, which emphasizes compassion and adaptability in aiding others. It...
Precepts, Ceremony, Commitment
Aug 23 1970
City Center

Embracing the Absolute Self

Serial: KR-00304 The talk emphasizes the core Zen practice of becoming oneself, highlighting the challenge of understanding the self as it is, beyond concepts of misery or beauty. This is articulated through the concept of the "Absolute," where...
Chanting, Discrimination, Enthusiasm, Patience, Religion, Suffering
Aug 18 1970

To Be Honest And Sincere In Its True Sense It Is Necessary to Push Yourself Into Some Very Strong Hard Rule

Serial: SF-06121B Sunday, August 16, 1970San Francisco [This is the second of two lectures with this date. This lecture began mid-way on Side A of the original tape after a prior lecture ended. This lecture appears to be complete.] Newly processed... The talk explores the necessity of adapting to nature through disciplined practices such as Zen, contrasting it with the modern trend of conquering nature. Emphasizing rituals and physical effort, the practice demands sincere...
Practice, Enlightenment, Oryoki
Aug 16 1970
B
City Center

Zen Alchemy: Embracing Practice's Magic

Serial: KR-00300 The talk explores the concept of existence and practice within Buddhism, emphasizing the importance of perceiving life beyond mere results, akin to "magic," where true understanding emerges from ongoing practice and attentiveness...
Building, Chanting, Discrimination, Monastic Practice, Oneness, Pain, Silence, Suffering...
Aug 16 1970

Priest Ordination Ceremony: Paul Discoe and Reb Anderson

Serial: SR-00069A Reprocessed version may allow for clarification of transcript (some changes made by SDH, July 2025) The talk centers on the ordination ceremony of Paul Discoe and Reb Anderson, articulating the significance of this rite as a transmission of Buddha's teachings, lineage, and the acceptance of bodhisattva precepts. It...
Priest, Ceremony, Precepts, Don't Know Mind, Delusion, Greed, Interview, Gratitude, Karma...
Aug 09 1970
City Center

Our Practice is Expression of Our True Buddha-mind

Serial: SR-00067 Sesshin Lecture, No. 4 Tuesday Evening, August 4, 1970 San Francisco The talk centers on the non-duality of practice and enlightenment in Zen, emphasizing Dogen Zenji's teachings on the continuous expression of the true Buddha-mind through zazen and precept observation. It argues that the...
Sesshin, Precepts, Beginner’s Mind, Buddha Mind, Discrimination, Duality, Mahayana, Pain,...
Aug 04 1970
City Center

Zazen Practice and Listen to the Right Teacher

Serial: SF-05631 ===== Awakening the Archive - Tape #24, by Shundo David Haye ===== In the last years of Suzuki Roshi's life, very few talks were lost from the collections. The previously available recording for this date was incomplete - it... The talk centers on the importance of right practice and the role of a teacher in Zen practice, especially regarding the understanding and observance of the bodhisattva precepts. Emphasis is placed on the necessity of a steadfast...
Sesshin, Dogen, Bodhidharma, Precepts, Precepts, Bodhisattva Precepts, Anger, Faith, Diversity...
Aug 03 1970
City Center

Pages