The SFZC Audio Archive

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Title Speaker Date

Emptiness is Form

Serial: SF-05968 Sunday, June 29, 1969 San Francisco Newly uploaded version has speed adjustments made; should be a little clearer for transcript - not just end, but correcting throughout. The talk explores the interplay between form and emptiness, emphasizing that understanding and embodying "form is emptiness" and "emptiness is form" is crucial in Zen practice. The discussion highlights the necessity of...
Heart Sutra, Emptiness, Current Events, Balance, Faith, Beginners, Continuous Practice...
Jun 29 1969
Tassajara

Mindfulness in Motion: Zen Wisdom

Serial: KR-00017 The talk delves into the concept of "right thought" (shonen) within the context of transiency and emptiness in Buddhism, emphasizing how one's mind should persistently adapt to the world of constant change. It draws from Zen...
Ceremony, Observe, Delusion, Meditation
Jun 28 1969

Mindful Presence in Zen Practice

Serial: KR-00016 The talk delves into the concepts of right mindfulness, or "shonen," and "not forgetting," integral to Zen practice. The discussion emphasizes that maintaining right mindfulness equates to continuously thinking and being present...
Concentration, Happiness, Mindfulness
Jun 24 1969

Direct Experience of Reality

Serial: SR-00020 The lecture emphasizes the importance of direct experience and practice in attaining enlightenment, drawing a distinction between "teisho" (teaching with koan) and "kowa" (philosophical lecture). The discussion stresses the...
Baso, Dogen, Forms, Pain, Sutra
Jun 22 1969
Sokoji

How should we establish our system of practice in San Francisco

Serial: SR-00019 Tuesday Evening, June 17, 1969San Francisco Just sit, and follow the teacher's instruction. Story of four kinds of horse. Humans go to the moon, but don't understand themselves. Have no ideas about Buddhahood, or worry... The talk discusses the importance of establishing a structured and genuine zazen practice in San Francisco. It explores the distinction between merely formal or rigid practices and practices that truly integrate and realize...
Rinzai, Soto Zen, Dogen, Zazen, Addiction, Attachment, Big Mind, Concentration, Ego, Lay, New...
Jun 17 1969
Sokoji

Zen Water Wisdom: Unyielding Effort Unfolds

Serial: KR-00015 The talk discusses the concept of human effort in Zen philosophy, using the metaphor of striving energetically as a trickle of water bore a hole in a rock. The terms "shojin" and "shozen shojin" are analyzed through their...
Consciousness, Big Mind, Obstacles, Emotions, New Year, Samadhi, Suffering, Ego, Hate,...
Jun 10 1969

Reviving Dogen's Dharma Transmission

Serial: KR-00081 The talk focuses on the contrasting views of Manzan and Doctrine regarding the Dharma transmission in Sōtō Zen during the Edo period. The discussion emphasizes the critical need for realization in both teachers and disciples,...
Dharma Transmission, Transmission, Realization, Ceremony, difficulty, Mandala, Soto Zen...
Jun 10 1969

Yakusan did not give lectures for a long time

Serial: SF-05961 June 1969Tassajara Story of Yakusan saying he was not a teacher to give lectures. Making effort, and paying attention. What is right effort? The primary focus of the talk is on the concept of effort in Zen Buddhism, particularly contrasting "right effort" with the typical efforts driven by materialistic goals. This discourse emphasizes learning from the story of...
Priest, Freedom
Jun 1969
Tassajara

Suzuki's 65th Birthday

Serial: SR-00018 Sunday Morning, May 18, 1969Sokoji, San Francisco The talk reflects on the nuances of Zen practice as it relates to aging and sincerity, emphasizing a practice of humility and continuous learning through interactions with fellow practitioners. It advocates for a fundamental Zen...
Anger, Beginners, Building, Instruction, Pain, Posture, Priest, Tassajara
May 18 1969
Sokoji

Transcending Ego: Embracing Zen Selflessness

Serial: KR-00313 The talk explores the concept of selflessness in Zen Buddhism, guided by Dogen's writings, specifically the chapter "Genjo Koan" in Shobo Genzo. It emphasizes that enlightenment, life and death, and moral dualities such as good...
Evil, Birth-and-Death, Attachment, Don't Know Mind, Community, Religion, Suffering, Pain...
Apr 29 1969

How To Take Our Bodhisattva's Vow

Serial: SR-00017 Tuesday Morning, April 29, 1969 San Francisco The talk focuses on the nature and significance of the Bodhisattva's Vow within Buddhism, arguing that it transcends the dichotomy of Mahayana and Hinayana traditions. The discussion critiques rigid adherence to precepts and...
Dogen, Agama Sutra, Enemies, Freedom, Hate, Mahayana, Observe, Pain, Precepts, Sutra, Vow...
Apr 29 1969
Sokoji

Jumping Off the 100-Foot Pole

Serial: SR-00016 Sunday Lecture Sunday, April 20, 1969 The talk explores the purpose of Zen practice despite possessing inherent buddha-nature, delving into the teachings of Dogen Zenji. The discussion emphasizes the misunderstanding of buddha-nature as an innate, static quality,...
Big Mind, Buddha Nature, Compassion, Continuous Practice, Evil, Priest
Apr 20 1969

Listening to Silence: Path to Harmony

Serial: KR-00013 The talk examines the concept of transcending suffering through Zen practice by emphasizing the importance of listening to silence and tranquility amidst life's unavoidable challenges. It highlights the teachings of Dogen Zenji...
Silence, Big Mind, Suffering, Meditation, Birth-and-Death, Fox, Patience, Vow, Compassion,...
Apr 19 1969

Zen Is Not Something To Talk About, And Also It Is Something To Talk About

Serial: SR-00015 Shunryu Suzuki (with Ryogen Yoshimura) Afternoon Sesshin Lecture Sunday, April 19, 1969 Audio includes Yoshimura at beginning. The talk explores the paradoxical nature of Zen, emphasizing that Zen is both beyond words and conveyed through words. It emphasizes the importance of an empty mind and direct experience in understanding Zen teachings, rather...
Sesshin, Community, Don't Know Mind, Hate, Monks, Posture, Priest, Suffering...
Apr 19 1969

Scratching the Itch of Existence

Serial: KR-00014 The talk on April 18th, 1969, explores the paradoxical nature of desires and suffering through the metaphor of scratching an itch, questioning the true essence of happiness and the nature of change. It delves into the practice of...
Ceremony, Intention, Obstacles, Tassajara, Vow
Apr 18 1969

Zen Beyond Imitation and Ritual

Serial: KR-00012 This talk emphasizes the necessity of transmitting the essence of Zen Buddhism authentically, without imitation or excuse, especially in the context of establishing Zen practice in the United States. Discussions also surface...
Bell, Buddha Nature, Demons, Instruction, Lotus Sutra, Mindfulness, New Year, Precepts,...
Apr 17 1969

Journey Through Suffering to Enlightenment

Serial: KR-00042 The talk discusses the concept of "skillful means" (upaya) in Buddhism, illustrating how these teachings help individuals reach enlightenment by understanding their innate ignorance and suffering. It emphasizes the necessity of...
Causation, Don't Know Mind, Lineage, Meditation, Nirvana, Obstacles, Pain, Silence,...
Apr 15 1969

Embracing Life's Simple Enlightenment

Serial: KR-00031B The talk emphasizes the intrinsic nature of existence, suffering, and understanding life beyond intellectual discussions. Drawing upon the teachings and experiences of Dogen and the simplicity of enlightenment as illustrated in...
Silence, Causation, Suffering
Apr 14 1969

Climbing Life's Peaks for Insight

Serial: KR-00031A The talk examines the themes of existential struggle and enlightenment through reflections on Buddhist concepts and personal experiences. It delves into the teachings of the Shobo Genzo and the Buddhist principle of causation,...
Birth-and-Death, Causation, Continuous Practice, difficulty, New Year, Pain, Silence,...
Apr 14 1969

Beyond Perceptions: Embracing Buddha's World

Serial: KR-00025 The main thesis examines the complexity of understanding the Buddha's world as discussed in the second chapter of Saddharma-Pundarika Sutra. The discourse emphasizes that true comprehension of the Buddha's world requires...
Beginners, Buddha Mind, Ceremony, Continuous Practice, Lotus Sutra, Monastic Practice, Nirvana...
Apr 12 1969

The Only Desire That Is Complete Is Buddha's Desire

Serial: SR-00014 This talk examines the distinctions between Buddhist and pre-Buddhist asceticism, focusing on controlling desires through non-selfish, non-gaining practice, rather than selfish motivations. It critiques the limitations of...
Buddha Nature, Culture, difficulty, Freedom, Posture, Precepts, Priest, War, Wisdom...
Apr 08 1969

Ordinary Mind, Buddha Mind

Serial: SR-00013 The talk explores the concept that practicing zazen transforms one into both an ordinary person and a Buddha, emphasizing the non-duality of being. It explains that when practitioners achieve perfect composure, they are not...
Composure, difficulty, Freedom
Mar 30 1969

Embracing Solitude for Inner Peace

Serial: KR-00011 The talk explores the Zen concept of solitude and its connection to tranquility, emphasizing the importance of seclusion for contemplating the root of suffering. It contrasts Indian, Chinese, and Japanese perceptions of nature...
Silence, Meditation, Attachment, Bodhidharma, confusion, Gratitude, Community, Interview,...
Mar 25 1969

Our Practice Should Be Based On The Idea Of Selflessness

Serial: SR-00012 Sunday Morning, March 16, 1969 The talk underscores the principle of selflessness in Zen practice, emphasizing that true selflessness arises not from effort but naturally in the absence of selfish intentions. It asserts the importance of teachers in guiding...
Monastic Practice, Truth
Mar 16 1969

Find Out for Yourself

Serial: SR-00011 Find out what "buddha-nature" and "enlightenment" mean. Study without purpose. How his teacher in Japan treated him; trying to discover the right thing to do. This talk explores the concept of self-inquiry in Zen practice, emphasizing the importance of discovering the meaning of "buddha-nature" and "enlightenment" through direct personal experience rather than relying on predetermined...
Sesshin, Zazen, Eiheiji, Beginners, Buddha Nature, difficulty, Freedom, Posture, Suffering...
Mar 15 1969
Sokoji

Nansen's “Everyday Mind Is Dao”

Serial: SR-00010 The talk focuses on the Zen koan "Everyday Mind Is Dao" and explores its implications for Zen practice, particularly shikantaza (just sitting) and koan practice. The discussion emphasizes the importance of genuine practice devoid...
Birth-and-Death, Composure, Death, difficulty, Pain, Sutra, Truth, Wisdom
Mar 10 1969

Sun-Faced Buddha, Moon-Faced Buddha

Serial: SR-00009 Sunday, March 9, 1969 Sokoji, San Francisco Koan story of sun-faced buddha, moon-faced buddha. Practicing while well or while sick. Accepting what we don't like. Understanding everyday activity through duality and oneness.... The talk discusses the koan of the Sun-faced Buddha and the Moon-faced Buddha, illustrating the practice of zazen, which involves accepting life as it is, regardless of circumstances. Key themes include understanding through...
Baso, Koan, Blue Cliff Record, Attachment, Composure, Discrimination, difficulty, Buddha...
Mar 09 1969
Sokoji

Zen Checkmate: Beyond Material Moves

Serial: KR-00010 The talk explores the concept of contentment within Zen philosophy, emphasizing that true wealth is found in being satisfied with one's present state, regardless of material possessions or external circumstances. It draws...
Anger, Composure, Delusion, Happiness, Hate, Lineage, Meditation, Suffering
Mar 1969

Transcending Ignorance Through Zazen Insight

Serial: KR-00009 The talk delves into the concept of self-awareness and practice in Buddhism, emphasizing the importance of observing oneself beyond mere verbal acknowledgment. It explores the deeper implications of ignorance, particularly its...
Attachment, Causation, Realization, Consciousness, Breath, Happiness, Community, Meditation,...
Feb 25 1969

Transcending Cycles Through Zen Mindfulness

Serial: KR-00008 The talk explores the concepts of suffering and mindfulness through the framework of Zen philosophy, emphasizing the importance of understanding perception in terms of the twelve chains of causation. The discussion highlights the...
Causation, Suffering, Buddha Mind, Birth-and-Death, difficulty, Buddha Nature, Attachment,...
Feb 18 1969

Awakening Beyond Desire

Serial: KR-00003 The talk explores the concept of "Jiggyu Horak," which represents the bliss of enlightenment, as articulated by Dogen Zenji, and its manifestation through practices like Zazen meditation. It emphasizes that true enlightenment...
Delusion, Samadhi, Meditation, Nirvana, Subject-and-Object, Pain, Realization, Suffering,...
Feb 1969

Fewer Desires, Ultimate Enlightenment

Serial: KR-00004 The talk explores the concept of "less desires" in the context of achieving enlightenment and practicing Buddhism. The emphasis is on reducing desires to mitigate suffering and attain a peaceful state of mind, aligning with the...
Repentance, Delusion, Happiness, Vow, Meditation, Suffering, Mindfulness, Passions, Enemies,...
Feb 1969

Embrace the Present, Transcend Desire

Serial: KR-00005 The talk explores the concept of reducing desires to achieve contentment and enlightenment in Zen philosophy. Emphasizing the practice of "Ichigyo Zanmai," or single action Samadhi, it addresses how staying in the present moment...
Passions, Delusion, Nirvana, Repentance, Diversity, Meditation, Intention, Building...
Feb 1969

Meditation as Living Enlightenment

Serial: KR-00002 The talk focuses on the significance of practicing meditation as a tribute to Buddha's death, emphasizing the transmission of enlightenment teachings from Dogen's "Shobogenzo" and Buddha's last sermon. The speaker delves into...
Buddha Nature, Composure, Discrimination, Letting Go, Meditation, Pain, Suffering,...
Feb 1969

Embracing Unity: Beyond Duality in Zen

Serial: KR-00006 The talk elaborates on the Zen Buddhist concept of "one plus one equals one," highlighting the intrinsic unity of tranquility and dynamic existence, or "suchness." The speaker describes Zen as not merely striving for tranquility...
Anger, Consciousness, Discrimination, Pain, Realization, Suffering
Feb 1969

Zen's Path to Everyday Contentment

Serial: KR-00007 The talk examines the concept of contentment in Zen, specifically through the practice of "chi sok wa," which translates to learning of contentment. It emphasizes accepting circumstances beyond human speculation and describes how...
Anger, Causation, difficulty, Fasting, Greed, Intention, Suffering
Feb 1969

Zen Dynamics: Embrace Tranquil Action

Serial: KR-00001 The talk emphasizes the importance of expressing and sharing one's Buddhist knowledge and inner experiences, aligning personal practice with enlightenment, and overcoming dualistic understanding through Zen philosophy. The...
Beginners, confusion, Delusion, Discrimination
1969

Zen Chaos and Cultural Awakening

Serial: KR-00022 The talk explores the cultural dynamics of the 'buzoku' tribe, a Japanese counterculture movement, drawing parallels to Zen practice and Buddhist teachings, exemplified by Nagasawa's experiences in India and America. A key...
Buddha Nature, Building, Chanting, Composure, difficulty, Don't Know Mind, Meditation,...
1969

Realizing Truth Beyond Reason

Serial: KR-00023 The talk explores the concept of "dhammata," a term translated into Japanese as "shokou jissou" and discusses its essential role in understanding the truth and reality as taught by Shakyamuni Buddha. It elaborates on the idea...
Buddha Nature, Causation, Ceremony, Chanting, Delusion, Happiness, Meditation, Passions,...
1969

Transcending Perceptions Through Zazen Practice

Serial: KR-00024 The talk centers on the concept of Buddha as manifesting in various forms, specifically delineating the transition from Sambhogakaya to Nirmanakaya Buddhas, emphasizing the experiential nature of practicing Zazen and the...
Anger, Birth-and-Death, Causation, Ceremony, Delusion, difficulty, Greed, Lay, Nirvana...
1969

At The End Of The Year We Clean Up Our House

Serial: SF-05970B Dec 1968 New Year Lecture This lecture discusses the theme of renewal, both physically and spiritually, at the end of the year, drawing parallels between the annual Japanese tradition of house cleaning and the Zen practice of remaining adaptable in life....
Beginner’s Mind, Dogen, Japan, New Year, Beginners, Transmission, Instruction, Priest, Faith...
Dec 29 1968
Sokoji

Shariputra In The Lotus Sutra

Serial: SR-00007 Newly reprocessed recording should be a little clearer The talk delves into the pivotal moment when the Buddha acknowledged Shariputra's wisdom and the significant moral of the burning house parable from a Buddhist sutra. It explores themes of understanding karma, the illusion of...
Lotus Sutra, Monks, Breath, Building
Dec 24 1968
Sokoji

True Happiness and Renewal of Practice at Year's End

Serial: SF-05970A Newly uploaded recording of this talk. The talk explores the concept of true happiness within the framework of Buddhism, emphasizing that lasting happiness must be understood in the context of impermanence and should not rely on non-changing conditions. It highlights...
Happiness, Buddha Nature, Happiness, Buddha Nature, Composure
Dec 21 1968
Sokoji

Shosan Ceremony

Serial: SR-00075 The primary focus of the talk is to explore the deeper aspects of Zen practice and the challenges practitioners face in understanding concepts such as buddha-nature, compassion, emptiness, and the duality of human existence. The...
Shosan, First Principle, Compassion, confusion, Demons, Emotions, Emptiness, Lotus Sutra,...
Nov 11 1968
Tassajara

Lotus Sutra, Lecture No. II-2

Serial: SR-00233 Monday Morning, October 21, 1968Zen Mountain Center The talk delves into the complex development of the understanding of Buddha, illustrating a journey from viewing Buddha solely as a historical figure to recognizing Buddha as a manifestation of universal truth, reflected in the...
Lotus Sutra, Attachment, Doubt, Enemies, Lotus Sutra, Mahayana, Offering, Precepts, Separation...
Oct 21 1968
Series 2, Talk 2
Tassajara

Lotus Sutra, Lecture No. II-1

Serial: SF-05681 [Second Lotus Sutra series in 1968] Sunday Evening, October 20, 1968 Zen Mountain Center The talk examines the intricacies and origins of the Lotus Sutra, emphasizing its philosophical and doctrinal significance beyond its historical attribution to Shakyamuni Buddha. The discussion delves into the concepts of...
Lotus Sutra, Buddha, Nirmanakaya, Buddhism
Oct 20 1968
Tassajara

Shikantaza, Tenryu's One Finger

Serial: SR-00236 Sesshin LectureSaturday, October 12, 1968Sokoji, San Francisco The talk centers on the practice of shikantaza, emphasizing the importance of sitting without any gaining idea or objective, akin to the famous Zen stories of Tenryu's one finger and Yakusan's silent sermon. Shikantaza is...
Sesshin, Gutei, Yaoshan, Community, Instruction, Monks, Obstacles, Pain, Precepts...
Oct 12 1968
A
Sokoji

The True Dragon

Serial: SF-05239 The talk discusses the necessity of practicing authentic Zen meditation (zazen) by exploring Dogen Zenji’s teachings on avoiding superficial practice. It warns against practicing like a "blind man" or Seiko, who admired dragons...
Dogen, Baso, Dragons, Freedom, Soto Zen, Emptiness, Bodhidharma, Instruction, Zazen...
Oct 12 1968
B
Sokoji

Lotus Sutra, Lecture No. II-5

Serial: SR-00100 Fall, 1968 The talk examines key concepts from the "Lotus Sutra," emphasizing the view of the Dharmakaya, Sambhogakaya, and Nirmanakaya worlds as central to understanding life and reality in the Mahayana tradition. It highlights the...
Lotus Sutra, Wisdom, Discrimination, Perfect Wisdom, Monks, Mahayana, Buddha Nature, Balance,...
Oct 1968
Series 2, Talk 5
Tassajara

Lotus Sutra, Lecture No. II-4

Serial: SF-05255 Fall 1968 Zen Mountain Center The talk focuses on interpreting the Lotus Sutra and its relevance to the understanding of Buddhism's evolving nature. It emphasizes the distinction between historical Buddha teachings and the teachings developed by Mahayana...
Lotus Sutra, Mahayana, Passions, Attachment, Vow
Oct 1968
Series 2, Talk 4
Tassajara

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