The SFZC Audio Archive

Serial: SF-09840 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha on 2022-11-20 The talk delves into Zen practice at Tassajara, emphasizing the rhythm of daily sitting meditation, the transmission of Buddhist teachings, and the significance of understanding the two truths: relative (ji) and ultimate (re)...

Serial: SF-08006 Talk by Zenki Christian Dillo at City Center on 2022-11-19 The talk addresses the concept of "bodyfulness" as a playful term referring to the integration of mindfulness through focused awareness of bodily sensations. This process involves developing a deep connection between breath and...

Serial: SF-07918 11/18/2022, Furyu Schroeder, dharma talk at Tassajara. Does a dog have Buddha nature? November sesshin series at the Tassajara fall practice period. The talk examines the fundamental Zen inquiry of awakening by exploring the interplay between Soto and Rinzai Zen traditions. The speaker discusses Soto Zen's focus on Shikantaza (just sitting) and Dogen Zenji’s teachings, like...

Serial: SF-07876 11/16/2022, Furyu Schroeder, dharma talk at Tassajara. Does a dog have Buddha nature? November sesshin series at the Tassajara fall practice period. The talk delves into the teachings of Nagarjuna on the Middle Way, focusing on the concepts of emptiness and dependent co-arising from chapter 24 of the "Mulamadhyamakakarika". The discussion addresses dualistic propositions and...

Serial: SF-07907 11/15/2022, Furyu Schroeder, dharma talk at Tassajara. Does a dog have Buddha nature? November sesshin series at the Tassajara fall practice period. The talk focuses on a detailed exploration of Zen teachings, particularly the koan of whether a dog has Buddha nature, linked to themes of ultimate and relative truth within Zen practice. It discusses the historical and...

Serial: SF-07786 11/12/2022, Rinso Ed Sattizahn, dharma talk at City Center. Continuing the practice period study of koans from the Blue Cliff Record and Suzuki Roshi's commentaries on them. The talk explores the theme of "an appropriate response" through the teachings of the Blue Cliff Record with emphasis on case 84, "Vimalakirti's Gate of Non-Duality." The discussion highlights the interaction between Seppo, Ganto...

Serial: SF-08552 Talk by Tenshin Reb Anderson at Green Gulch Farm on 2022-11-07 The talk focuses on the theme of awakening through great compassion, particularly within the context of a Zen practice period aimed at understanding and embodying Bodhisattva compassion. It explores the duality of human existence...

Serial: SF-09763 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha at Tassajara on 2022-11-06 The talk delves into the routine and monastic life at Tassajara, emphasizing the rhythm of Tassajara weeks, the structure of personal and work days, and the integration of spirituality with daily tasks. It highlights the concept...

Serial: SF-07824 11/02/2022, Eli Brown-Stevenson, dharma talk at City Center. The practice of trying on koans. The talk explores the practice of engaging with koans in contemporary Zen, emphasizing their experiential rather than conceptual nature. It discusses methods of working with koans, such as memorizing, chanting, and incorporating...

Serial: SF-07855 10/30/2022, Furyu Schroeder, dharma talk at Tassajara. October sesshin series at the Tassajara fall practice period on the relative and absolute. The talk discusses the essence of Zen practice, emphasizing the fundamental intention of awakening through communal practice and criticism. It explores the metaphor of the baby monkey as a representation of the mind's tendencies...

Serial: SF-07959 Talk by Shosan Victoria Austin Incomplete at City Center on 2022-10-29 The talk explores themes of self-awareness and mindfulness in meditation, emphasizing the distinction between perceiving oneself as an object and engaging in the present moment. It discusses how adrenaline affects perception and...

Serial: SF-07992 10/27/2022, Furyu Schroeder, dharma talk at Tassajara. October sesshin series at the Tassajara fall practice period on the relative and absolute. The talk explores fundamental Buddhist teachings, focusing on the non-dual realization and the cessation of suffering, using the story of Bahiya of the Bark Cloth to illustrate the immediate and transformative power of Buddhist...

Serial: SF-08052 10/26/2022, Tenzen David Zimmerman, dharma talk at City Center. As part of the exploration of koans from the Blue Cliff Record, Abbot David unpacks Case 3, “Master Ma is Unwell”. In the midst of life’s vicissitudes ─ whether we'... The talk centers around the exploration of the koan "Sun-Faced Buddha, Moon-Faced Buddha" from the Blue Cliff Record, examining themes of acceptance, impermanence, and the duality of existence. It delves into Suzuki Roshi's...

Serial: SF-08073 10/22/2022, Jisan Tova Green, dharma talk at City Center. As leaves fall and nights are longer, we turn from autumn towards winter. This is a tender, transitional time for many of us. We may be more in touch with loss, grief, and... The talk centers on themes of death, dying, and the transitional periods associated with these experiences. Emphasis is placed on the immediacy of death in life, the memorial services during this time of year, and personal...

Serial: SF-07887 Talk by Eli Brown Stevenson at City Center on 2022-10-20 The talk delves into personal reflections on the way-seeking mind, emphasizing a journey informed by family heritage, formative experiences, and spiritual practice. Central themes include the influence of upbringing, personal...

Serial: SF-08042 10/15/2022, Gendo Lucy Xiao 玄道, dharma talk at City Center. What is your original face? -- Exploring case 23 of Wumenguan (The Gateless Barrier) The talk primarily explores the notion of the "original face" within Zen Buddhism, using koans and teachings related to the concept of non-abiding, which emphasizes the importance of seeing beyond dualistic thinking to connect...

Serial: SF-07807 Talk by Tiemo Blank at Green Gulch Farm on 2022-10-09 The discussion explores the concept of interdependence within Buddhism, contrasting early teachings of dependent origination focused on suffering with later, more expansive views. It delves into the teachings of the Flower...

Serial: SF-07869 10/05/2022, Rinso Ed Sattizahn and Tenzen David Zimmerman, dharma talk at City Center.In the first dharma talk of the Fall practice period, Abbots Ed and David provide an introduction to 'encounter dialogues' and the... The talk explores the practice period titled "An Appropriate Response: Encountering Suzuki Roshi's Teachings on the Blue Cliff Record." The discussion revolves around using selected koans from the Blue Cliff Record...

Serial: SF-08015 10/01/2022, Marcia Lieberman, dharma talk at City Center. Three main questions posed by Lieberman: How to behave; what to wear; how to travel— answered with stories, poetry, and the words of Dogen, Suzuki Roshi, and Utpalavarna. The talk focuses on preparing for a Zen practice period, using the metaphor of a voyage to address themes of behavior, attire, and mode of travel. Three figures—Suzuki Roshi (as a wombat), Dogen (as a donkey), and Upalavana (as a...

Serial: SF-07899 09/24/2022, Anshi Zachary Smith, dharma talk at City Center. We discuss the precepts, giving a bit of history, and how they changed as Buddhism was infused with new ideas from the Mahayana philosophers and practitioners. In... The talk explores the role and evolution of Buddhist precepts and their connection to alleviating suffering through inner and outer conduct. It examines the foundational Buddhist teachings of interdependence, the precepts as...

Serial: SF-07925 09/21/2022, Kodo Conlin, dharma talk at City Center. Taking a page from Dogen's own collection of koans, we consider Guishan's conversation with Yangshan about a gift of silk -- What role does giving play in our practice of... The talk centers on the Buddhist practice of dana, or giving, as the first of the perfections and its role in nurturing community, personal freedom, and spiritual development. A koan from Dogen Zenji's collection is examined,...

Serial: SF-07941 09/18/2022, Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Zazen can be a portal to opening the mind that perceives all things, even the trouble we are experiencing in the world today. The poet Rumi wrote, "I have lived... This talk explores the essence and practice of Zazen, emphasizing its role as a meditative gateway to understanding and managing internal chaos amid external turmoil. It draws parallels between the teachings in Zen Buddhism and...

Serial: SF-07854 09/14/2022, Shundo David Haye, dharma talk at City Center. Drawing on the teachings of Suzuki Roshi and Dogen, Shundo reflects on the history of City Center and how to move forward with our practice in uncertain times. The talk reflects on the interplay between Zen practice and the principles of calmness, confidence, and composure, contrasting this with the popular notion of enlightenment. It emphasizes continuous practice irrespective of...

Serial: SF-07812 09/10/2022, Sozan Michael McCord, dharma talk at City Center. Our Zen practice gives us the context and tools to be with and meet the moments in our life, honing our gut as to whether to tighten or release, to act or wait. And... The talk examines the balance between exertion and relaxation in meditation and life, drawing on teachings from the Buddha about maintaining a middle way. It addresses the difficulties in determining when to apply energy or to...