The SFZC Audio Archive

Serial: SF-11082 If we hurry the important and urgent nature of studying the self we are likely to miss "this" - the entire truth of who we are. 08/14/2021, Shosan Victoria Austin, dharma talk at City Center. The talk explores the notion of Zen practice as both urgent and important, while stressing the significance of doing it correctly without haste. This is contextualized within the framework of the "four turnings of the Dharma...

Serial: SF-10982 Talk by Layla Smith Bockhorst at Tassajara on 2021-08-11 The talk explores the application of Zen principles to personal practice and global issues, reflecting on impermanence, the world's suffering, and emotional challenges. It emphasizes the importance of improvisational practices to...

Serial: SF-10959 In this talk, Abbot David weaves together personal stories regarding “seeing” with teachings by Vasubandhu, Shakyamuni Buddha, and Suzuki Roshi in an exploration of the nature of perception.The radical proposition at the heart of... The talk explores the concept of perception in Zen Buddhism, emphasizing how it shapes personal experience and the nature of suffering and happiness. It discusses the impact of karmic consciousness on perception and advocates for...

Serial: SF-10927 Talk by Yuki Kobiyama at City Center on 2021-08-04 The talk centers on the ethical implications of factory farming and its alignment with the three collective pure precepts in Zen Buddhism. The speaker reflects on personal experiences and past discussions while exploring how...

Serial: SF-10943 In this time of worldwide sickness, teachings of Vimalakirti—the bodhisattva who manifests illness for the sake of teaching sentient beings— is brought up. Linda also offers a Jataka tale about a baby Quail to illustrate non-... This talk centers on the exploration of themes from the Vimalakirti Sutra, particularly relating to illness, duality, and the practice of compassion. The discussion aligns the teachings of the Sutra with contemporary issues such...

Serial: SF-09850 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha at Green Gulch Farm on 2021-07-25 The talk addresses the relationship between dualities such as light and dark within the framework of Zen teachings, specifically using the "Sandokai" poem by Shitou Xiqian. It explores how opposites coexist and complement each...

Serial: SF-11127 This Sunday Dharma talk was a special offering by Green Gulch Abbess fu Schroeder and Rev. Angel Kyodo Williams in conversation about the suffering caused by racism and how our Buddhist communities can begin the work of healing... This talk at Green Gulch Farm delves into the intersection of race, social justice, and Buddhist practice, emphasizing the urgent need to address racial conditioning within spiritual communities. It reflects on the roles played...

Serial: SF-10945 In this talk, Sr. Dharma Teacher, Eijun Linda Ruth Cutts, brings forth the spirit of the Mahayana Buddhist Vimalakirti Sutra and the second turning of the wheel teachings. She suggests that the reconciliation of the truth of... The talk focuses on the teachings of the Vimalakirti Sutra as part of the second turning of the wheel in Mahayana Buddhism, emphasizing the transformation from the arhat ideal to the bodhisattva ideal and themes of emptiness and...

Serial: SF-12187 Talk by Marc Lesser Eptance And Discernment at City Center on 2021-07-23 The talk explores the interplay between acceptance and discernment within Zen leadership, emphasizing their roles in personal and professional development. The discourse reflects on historical Zen teachings, specifically the...

Serial: SF-10979 Turning the light of attention in order to contact our true nature through an exploration of the practice instructions of Dogen Zenji's Fukanzazengi. 07/21/2021, Zesho Susan O’Connell, dharma talk at City Center. This talk centers on the theme of balance within Zen practice as a response to the pandemic, and explores the teachings of Dogen, specifically the "Fukanzazengi," to deepen one's understanding of the Dharma. The speaker...

Serial: SF-12175 Talk by Steve Weintraub Right In Imperfection Is Perfect Reality at Tassajara on 2021-07-21 The central thesis of the talk explores the concept that true Zen practice is established within imperfection, delusion, and frustration, emphasizing that these are not obstacles but the very ground for practice. The speaker...

Serial: SF-11036 By practicing zazen again and again we create space to receive stillness right in the midst of our many stories and imaginations about the world, and in this way begin to see a path to live our life as a blessing for this world... The talk examines the intersection of stillness and the power of uncertainty within Zen practice, highlighting the keystone role of Zazen and the impermanence of thoughts and stories. It emphasizes returning to stillness amidst...

Serial: SF-11147 This talk centers on the two truths about our one world…the human world and Buddha’s world…with 5 easy steps on how to bring those worlds together again. 07/11/2021, Fu Schroeder, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. The talk discusses Zen practices and teachings focusing on simplicity, presence, and community responsibility. It highlights five steps for improving the world, emphasizing sitting in meditation, identifying one's purpose,...

Serial: SF-11113 What is it to take up the call of a Bodhisattva? This question is explored in this Dharma talk with Ashanti Branch of the Everforward Club and City Center Tanto, Nancy Petrin, exploring Ashanti's decision leave a successful... The talk explores the intersection of Zen practice and the personal journey of facilitating emotional and educational support for young men, focusing on Ashanti Branch's work with the Ever Forward Club and the Million Mask...

Serial: SF-11003 Talk by Zenshin Greg Fain at Tassajara on 2021-07-07 The main thesis of the talk revolves around the exploration of "suchness" or "thusness," considered the fundamental root of Soto Zen practice. There is an emphasis on presence, mindful awareness in practice, and the importance of...

Serial: SF-12193 Talk by Greg Fain The Taproot Of Soto Zen Suchness Is Groovy at Tassajara on 2021-07-07 The talk explores the taproot of Soto Zen, particularly focusing on the concept of "suchness" or "thusness," as communicated through historical teachings and Zen practices. It emphasizes the importance of being present and...

Serial: SF-11075 Zoketsu Norman Fischer, former abbot of San Francisco Zen Center and founding teacher of Everyday Zen reads and reflects on passages from the "What Is the Body?" chapter of his new book, "When You Greet Me, I Bow." 07/03/2021,... The talk explores the philosophical inquiry "What is the body?" through Zen teachings and texts, illustrating how deeply our perceptions and understanding of the body are embedded in both daily life and spiritual practice. It...

Serial: SF-10903 In this dharma talk Sonja Gardenswartz poses the turning question, are we willing to step into curiosity, into I don't know," and consider what is the appropriate response? Examining with the awareness of zazen and looking at... The talk explores the themes of awareness, assumptions, and actions in the context of Zen practice, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness and the precepts in shaping responses to life's challenges. It draws on Zen Master...

Serial: SF-10963 Honoring Pride month, abbot Tenzen David Zimmerman explores what it is "to queer" and how this is essentially the practice at the heart of Buddhadharma. 06/26/2021, Tenzen David Zimmerman, dharma talk at City Center. The talk explores the intersection between Zen practice and queer identity, proposing that the principles of Dharma inherently align with queerness due to their shared challenge to fixed identities and dualistic thinking. It...

Serial: SF-10935 Tenshin Roshi shares examples modern and ancient of the practice of generosity. 06/20/2021, Tenshin Reb Anderson, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. This talk discusses the concept of "tri-mandala" or the three wheels of giving, receiving, and being a gift, as central to the practice of Buddha and Zen. The idea is exemplified through both contemporary and ancient stories that...

Serial: SF-10949 A reflection and consideration on "making the transition, entering the marketplace and crossing over supported by Buddhist practice and traditions. 06/16/2021, Marcia Lieberman, dharma talk at City Center. The talk examines the concept of transition, exploring how Zen Buddhist practices can aid in adapting from solitude during the pandemic to re-entering the communal marketplace. It highlights five elements of practice: textual...

Serial: SF-11066 Inspired by the wisdom of a young girl talking to her mother about kindness, this talk touches on the Buddhist practices of tranquility and insight that allows us live in harmony with one another. 06/13/2021, Furyu Nancy... This talk at Green Gulch Farm explores the essence of Buddhist practice as encapsulated by the Zen teaching "do good, avoid evil, and purify the mind," using stories of Birdnest Roshi and a child's Dharma talk to illustrate the...

Serial: SF-10904 Looking at the Satipatthana Sutta, the Heart Sutra and the Genjo Koan and how these three seminal documents reveal resonance that transcend time and space. 06/09/2021, Anshi Zachary Smith, dharma talk at City Center. The talk explores the Satipatthana Sutta, emphasizing the practice's potency in cultivating mindfulness and awareness, leading to enlightenment through intensive contemplation of bodily sensations, mental states, and dhammas. The...

Serial: SF-10981 Talk by Jiryu at Green Gulch Farm on 2021-06-06 The talk centers on exploring the teachings of Suzuki Roshi, particularly emphasizing a simple and profound approach to Zen practice characterized by a "warm heart and empty mind." It discusses the concept of "empty mind," often...