The SFZC Audio Archive

Serial: SF-11193 Love is all around. 09/16/2020, Jisan Tova Green, dharma talk at City Center. The talk focuses on finding resilience through compassion during challenging times, emphasizing the importance of appropriate responses to crises like the ongoing wildfires and social injustices. Key teachings include reflections...

Serial: SF-11326 Suzuki Roshi teaches to let the obnoxious squawking bluejay right into our heart - could that practice help us in the overwhelm of these times? 09/12/2020, Jiryu Rutschman-Byler, dharma talk at City Center. The talk explores the Zen principle of dealing with feelings of overwhelm by practicing with it and using it as an opportunity for spiritual growth. The discussion emphasizes the practice of Kshantiparamita, or the perfection of...

Serial: SF-11183 Abiding Green Gulch Abbess fu Schroeder discusses the world in crisis through the lens of ancient Buddhist teachings. 09/06/2020, Furyu Schroeder, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. This talk addresses the theme of community and interconnectedness through the lens of Buddhist teachings, particularly in times of crisis. The discussion elaborates on the metaphorical concept of "glue" as a means of holding...

Serial: SF-11299 09/02/2020, Anshi Zachary Smith, dharma talk at City Center. The talk centers on a kōan from Dongshan concerning the dual experiences of heat and cold and their metaphorical interpretation regarding the two truths in Zen Buddhism: the absolute and the relative, commonly referred to as “...

Serial: SF-11303 Buddhist practices for these times: awareness, effort, patience and love. 08/26/2020, Shinchi Linda Galijan, dharma talk at City Center. The talk focuses on addressing societal challenges, such as climate change, racial injustice, and the COVID-19 pandemic, through the lens of Zen Buddhist teachings. It explores the integration of mind, body, heart, and time,...

Serial: SF-11350 08/15/2020, Ryushin Paul Haller, dharma talk at City Center. The talk explores the concepts of Mushin and Ushin within Zen Buddhism, emphasizing the practice of disengaging from the narrative self (Mushin) and engaging with the complexities of worldly life (Ushin) to attain understanding...

Serial: SF-11169 Taking up the core teaching of Dōgen's practice and study inspired by John Lewis. 08/02/2020, Eijun Linda Ruth Cutts, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. The talk centers on the themes of realization and unlearning within Buddhist practice, as underscored by the teachings of Dogen Zenji, particularly the "Genjo Koan." It emphasizes the importance of acknowledging one's limitations...

Serial: SF-11371 Through relationships of love and care together we can awaken. 07/25/2020, Rev. angel Kyodo williams and Abbess Fu Schroeder, dharma talk at City Center. The talk addresses the intersection of Zen philosophy and contemporary social justice issues, focusing on the impact of systemic racism, specifically in light of the global pandemic and the murder of George Floyd, as catalysts...

Serial: SF-11175 07/21/2020, Ryushin Paul Haller, dharma talk at Tassajara. The talk examines the integration of Zen Buddhist practice, particularly the six paramitas with an emphasis on prajna (insight), in addressing societal issues like racism. It suggests using contemplation and practicing openness...

Serial: SF-11362 A Dharma perspective on practicing in an inclusive community. 07/18/2020, Crystal A. Johnson, dharma talk at City Center. This talk examines the integration of inclusive community values into Zen practice, emphasizing the deconstruction of unconscious conditioning and social norms, such as racism, sexism, and ableism, rooted in a system of white...

Serial: SF-11258 Reflections of the life of Eihei Dogen (part 2 of 3 of a series). 07/08/2020, Bryan Clark, dharma talk at City Center. The talk delves into Dogen's teachings, focusing on the "Tenzo Kyokun," which underscores that every action, no matter how mundane, embodies the essence of enlightened practice. The speaker highlights Dogen's emphasis on...

Serial: SF-11353 A teacher's reflection on 50 years of practice. 07/04/2020, Sojun Mel Weitsman, dharma talk at City Center. The talk explores themes of interdependence versus independence, emphasizing the concept of "Interdependence Day" as a reflection on mutual reliance contradicting the notion of isolated freedom. It discusses democracy, revolution...

Serial: SF-11174 Gay pride history and training the mind for change. 06/27/2020, Grace Damman, dharma talk at City Center. The talk revolves around the intersection of Zen practice and the history of LGBTQ+ activism, with a reflection on how personal identity and social movements influence spiritual practice. The speaker discusses transformative...

Serial: SF-11267 Breathing in suffering and breathing out awakening, Tibetan tonglen practice and Dogen's jijuyu zanmai, as relates to the suffering of racial oppression and white privilege. 06/20/2020, Korin Charlie Pokorny, dharma talk at Green... The talk focuses on the practice of Tonglen, a Tibetan Buddhist compassion technique, and its application in confronting racial injustice and systemic suffering. The emphasis is on embracing suffering through conscious breathing...

Serial: SF-11222 A Dharma reflection of disparity in the world and building trust in community through honest communication. 06/17/2020, Yuki Kobiyama, dharma talk at City Center The talk centers on personal reflections regarding systemic racism, particularly the impact of COVID-19 and pollution on African-American communities, alongside a critique of institutional practices within Zen spaces. The speaker...

Serial: SF-11308 A Dharma response to these times: deep radical presence and acceptance. 06/13/2020, Ryushin Paul Haller, dharma talk at Tassajara. The talk addresses the complexity of responding to systemic racism and collective societal challenges through the lens of Zen practice, focusing on the principles of zazen, radical acceptance, and the virtues of sila (discipline...

Serial: SF-11331 06/07/2020, Furyu Schroeder, Dharma Talk at Green Gulch. The talk focuses on exploring themes of racial injustice through a Zen Buddhist perspective, juxtaposing contemporary and historical reflections on systemic racism with traditional Buddhist teachings on suffering and...

Serial: SF-11211 A description of Relative and Absolute Bodhichitta 05/30/2020 Korin Charlie Pokorny, Dharma Talk at City Center. The talk focuses on the Lojong mind training, specifically absolute and relative Bodhicitta. It explores how absolute Bodhicitta represents an all-embracing compassion and is linked to true nature, while relative Bodhicitta...

Serial: SF-11226 05/25/2020, Ryushin Paul Haller, dharma talk at Tassajara. The talk examines the nature of practice and its adaptation to unforeseen circumstances, focusing on the contrast between structured schedules and the current state of unpredictability. It emphasizes releasing preoccupations,...

Serial: SF-11151 In a live call on May 18, 2020, Abbot Ed shared SFZC’s financial situation with the community and answered questions. Please consider making a donation to the Emergency Fund (sfzc.org/emergency-fund) The talk discusses the financial challenges faced by the San Francisco Zen Center due to the pandemic. Acknowledgment of the significant emergency fundraising efforts and strategies to mitigate financial strain are highlighted,...

Serial: SF-11215 Point #3: Atisha's Seven Points of Mind Training- Lojong Teachings 05/16/2020, Dojin Sarah Emerson, dharma talk at City Center. The talk centers on integrating Lojong teachings into Zen practice, highlighting patience and compassion as key themes. It addresses the importance of foundational meditation, the privilege of grounding in absolute and relative...

Serial: SF-11223 Mother's Day Dharma during Covid-19. 5/10/20, Eijun Linda Ruth Cutts, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. The talk explores the theme of "Mother" from both a personal and archetypal perspective, touching upon the origins of Mother's Day and its evolution, along with a deep discussion on compassion, empathy, and interconnectedness as...

Serial: SF-11164 02/26/2020, Shoren Heather Iarusso, dharma talk at City Center. The talk discusses the practice of meditation focusing on intention and self-compassion, using the teaching of self-study and balance in Zazen as tools to confront personal challenges during disruptive times. The speaker...

Serial: SF-11235 Intro: Atisha's Seven Points of Mind Training- Lojong Teachings. 04/29/2020, Onryu Mary Stares, dharma talk at City Center. The talk introduces a six-week practice period focusing on the Lojong teachings, emphasizing the importance of mind training during challenging times. The speaker discusses the historical background of the Lojong slogans, closely...