The SFZC Audio Archive

Serial: SF-08624 The talk centers on the Shosai Myo Kichijo Dharani, exploring its historical, spiritual, and linguistic dimensions to emphasize its role in Zen practice as a tool for evoking teachings through sound and ritual. Additionally, it...

Serial: SF-08634 The talk delves into the Chinese Zen poem "Sandokai" by Sekito Kisen, emphasizing its exploration of the harmony between difference and equality, or the relative and absolute truths. The discussion highlights the engagement with...

Serial: SF-08686 The talk examines the concept of listening as a fundamental component of navigating one's path in life, emphasizing the creation of a personalized journey with awareness and intentionality. The discussion suggests that while the...

Serial: SF-08688 The talk explores the intricate layers of self-awareness and intentionality within the context of Zen practice. It emphasizes the practice of avowing one's karma and desires, the exploration of underlying conditioning, and the...

Serial: SF-08695 The talk explores the integration of Zen practice into daily life, emphasizing Keizan's significant contributions to Soto Zen's development. Keizan, unlike Dogen, focused on broadening Zen's accessibility and emphasizing practice...

Serial: SF-09529 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha Sessions Uji Jukai Gui Spina on 2023-12-31 The talk discusses a Jukai ceremony at Green Gulch, emphasizing its spiritual significance and the transmission of the Bodhisattva precepts. This ritual includes the conferring of Dharma names and the use of ceremonial implements...

Serial: SF-09523 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha Sessions Uji Gui Spina on 2023-12-17 The talk discusses recent changes at Green Gulch Farm Zen Center, particularly the move of senior residents to Enso Village, and reflects on Dogen's teachings from the fascicle "Uji," focusing on the concept of 'time being' as an...

Serial: SF-08771 In light of several major transitions unfolding for SFZC and the sangha at large, including the upcoming yearlong renovation of Beginner’s Mind Temple, Abbot David offers dharma pointers for how we might relate to and navigate... The talk focuses on navigating transitions and change, particularly in the context of the San Francisco Zen Center's upcoming building renovations, leadership transitions, and the relocation of senior monks to Enzo Village. The...

Serial: SF-08744 Talk by Paul Haller at City Center on 2023-12-09 The talk revolves around Shakyamuni Buddha's awakening narrative, focusing on asceticism and the realization of interconnectedness as described in two different story versions. The speaker then examines Dogen Zenji's teachings on...

Serial: SF-08836 01/25/2023, Paul Haller, dharma talk at City Center. Ceremony calls forth sacredness. In the opening ceremony we enliven the sacredness of each of the centers of activity in our lives. The talk explores the themes of apology, emotional intelligence, and mindfulness, using imagery from Dogen's poem about a waterfowl reflecting the moon, and draws connections with neuroscience studies on meditation's effect on...

Serial: SF-08747 Talk by Paul Haller at City Center on 2023-12-06 The talk explores the practice of renunciation within Zen Buddhism, contrasting the 'Hinayana practice with a Mahayana mind' approach. This involves embracing early Buddhist teachings of renunciation while integrating them into...

Serial: SF-08861 Talk by Paul Haller at City Center on 2023-12-04 The talk explores the concept of heartfelt engagement in Zen practice, as illustrated by the Suzuki Roshi Memorial ceremony. The speaker discusses the idea of practicing with sincerity as opposed to mere rehearsal, emphasizing...

Serial: SF-08831 12/03/2023, Chosetsu Lauren Bouyea, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Suzuki Roshi said that beginner's mind - meeting the world and ourselves just-as-it-is - is the secret of Zen practice, but there are many powerful cultural and... The talk explores the concept of "beginner's mind" within Zen practice, emphasizing the importance of maintaining an open and unfixed mindset despite the tendency to settle into habitual, self-centered thought patterns. It...

Serial: SF-09546 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha Sessions Uji Gui Spina on 2023-12-03 The talk centers on the profound changes at Green Gulch, where senior members are leaving, prompting reflections on impermanence and community through a deeply meaningful ceremony. The speaker also discusses a workshop...

Serial: SF-08763 Talk by Kyoshin Wendy Lewis at City Center on 2023-12-02 The talk explores the philosophical dimensions within Buddhist practice, focusing on the fourth foundation of mindfulness as described in the Satipatthana Sutta, which involves contemplation of dharmas, including the exploration...

Serial: SF-09533 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha Sessions Uji Gui Spina on 2023-11-26 The talk examines Dogen's "Uji: The Time Being," emphasizing the inseparability of time and existence within the present moment. It discusses interpretations of the term "uji" as the fusion of time and being, contrasting with...

Serial: SF-08734 Talk by Tim Wicks at City Center on 2023-11-25 The talk centers on the concept of Virya, or energy, as one of the six paramitas in Mahayana Buddhism and explores its training and cultivation. It discusses the interplay between understanding inner energies such as desire and...

Serial: SF-08752 Talk by Paul Haller at City Center on 2023-11-22 The talk focuses on the theme of gratitude amid adversity and the importance of shared challenges within the human family. The message conveys how Thanksgiving can be an opportunity for healing relationships and fostering...

Serial: SF-08911 11/19/2023, Jiryu Rutschman-Byler, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. The one practice for every moment of our life is just to welcome and care for whatever is right here - why do we forget that so easily, and how can we train in... The talk focuses on the practice of Zen embracing each experience as an opportunity for compassion, as illustrated by the metaphor of perceiving everything that arises—thoughts, sensations, beings—as "baby newts" seeking care and...

Serial: SF-09785 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha on 2023-11-19 The talk explores Dogen Zenji's philosophical insights, focusing on his essay "Uji" which delves into the concept of "Time Being." The speaker reflects on the unity of body and mind, practice and enlightenment, and the embodiment...

Serial: SF-08879 Talk by Andre Elsen at City Center on 2023-11-15 The talk centers around the application of Zen Buddhist teachings and psychotherapeutic techniques to manage anger and emotional turmoil. The narrative of a monk's experience with anger demonstrates the practice of the paramitas...

Serial: SF-09745 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha on 2023-11-12 The talk explores Dogen Zenji's "Tenzo Kyokun" and its relevance to the roles of the Tenzo, focusing on how mindfulness in everyday tasks, such as cooking, can be a form of spiritual practice. It discusses the embodiment of the "...

Serial: SF-08709 Talk by Paul Haller at City Center on 2023-11-08 The talk explores the challenges and growth experienced through chaplaincy training, drawing parallels between beginning new practices and early education. It delves into the application of the Six Paramitas—generosity, virtuous...

Serial: SF-08725 11/05/2023, Eijun Linda Cutts, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. After finishing 11 days on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela in Spain, Linda brings up the koan, Case 20 in the Book of Serenity, "Not Knowing is Most Intimate,"... The talk explores the practice of pilgrimage, suggesting it as a metaphor for life's journey, integrating Zen teachings with personal experiences from the Camino de Santiago. The discussion weaves the concept of being a pilgrim...