The SFZC Audio Archive The SFZC Audio Archive

You are currently logged-out. You can log-in or create an account to save favorites and more. more info

Showing 5928 talks
 

- Reset Search

Title Speaker Date

Lotus Sutra, Lecture No. III-6

Serial: SF-06005 Third Lotus Sutra Series Thursday Evening, October 30, 1969 Zen Mountain Center The talk analyzes a section of the Lotus Sutra and discusses its translation by Kumarajiva, emphasizing the accessibility and popularity of his rendition in China and Japan. The discussion includes the significance of certain...
Lotus Sutra, Beginner’s Mind, Politics, Interview, Concentration, Precepts, Doubt...
Oct 30 1969
Series 3, Talk 6
Tassajara

Lotus Sutra, Lecture No. III-5

Serial: SF-06006 Third Lotus Sutra Series Tuesday Evening, October 28, 1969 Zen Mountain Center The talk explores the distinction between Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism, emphasizing the divergent interpretations and approaches to Buddha's teachings over time. It outlines how the Theravada (Hinayana) tradition focused on...
Lotus Sutra, Mahayana, Skandhas
Oct 28 1969
Series 3, Talk 5
Tassajara

Lotus Sutra, Lecture No. III-4

Serial: SR-00038 [Third Lotus Sutra Series]Saturday Evening, October 25, 1969Zen Mountain Center The talk focuses on the central teachings of the Lotus Sutra, particularly emphasizing the profound nature of Buddha's wisdom which can only be fully comprehended by Buddhas themselves. The discussion highlights the concept of "...
Lotus Sutra, First Principle, Buddha Nature, Funeral, Mahayana, Priest, Suffering, Wisdom...
Oct 25 1969
Series 3, Talk 4
Tassajara

Living Authentically Amid Tradition

Serial: KR-00038 The talk primarily discusses the complexities of respecting traditions and individual choices in life, focusing on the significance of living respectfully in the present rather than being bound by principles, especially those...
Ceremony, Funeral, Suffering
Oct 25 1969

Lotus Sutra, Lecture No. III-2

Serial: SR-00037 Third Lotus Sutra SeriesThursday Evening, October 23, 1969Zen Mountain Center [The recording starts with Suzuki reading from: Saddharma Pundarika or The Lotus of the True Law, translated by H. Kern, New York: Dover, 1963 (an... The talk revolves around interpretations of Chapter II, "Skillfulness," from the Lotus Sutra, emphasizing the profound but often underestimated importance of skillful means in Buddhist practice. The discussion highlights the...
Lotus Sutra, First Principle, Concentration, Consciousness, Don't Know Mind, First...
Oct 23 1969
Series 3, Talk 2
Tassajara

Lotus Sutra, Lecture No. III-1

Serial: SR-00212 [Third Lotus Sutra Series]1 Monday Evening, October 20, 1969 Zen Mountain Center Introduction to third series of talks on the Lotus Sutra. Zen as practical teaching. Suzuki Roshi's mother recited parts of the sutra when he was... The lecture introduces the third series of talks on the Lotus Sutra at the Zen Mountain Center, emphasizing the sutra's role in Zen practice and its nature, which is likened to an experience similar to engaging with grand music...
Lotus Sutra, Mahayana, Dogen, Ego, Lotus Sutra, Mahayana, New Year, Precepts, Priest...
Oct 20 1969
Series 3, Talk 1
Tassajara

Embodied Enlightenment Through Practice

Serial: KR-00034 This talk explores the concept of "shugyo" in Zen Buddhism, translating to "refined practice," emphasizing the necessity of engaging with both mind and body to achieve enlightenment. The discussion addresses the Zen school's...
Right Effort
Oct 19 1969

New Students' Questions

Serial: SR-00211 Tuesday, October 14, 1969San Francisco This talk addresses the concept of karma, the bodhisattva's vow, and the role of zazen in understanding the Buddhist view of life. It explores the notion of everything having meaning from different perspectives, highlighting the...
Question-and-Answer, Buddha Nature, Continuous Practice, Diversity, Mahayana, War...
Oct 14 1969

Beyond Words: Living Zen Wisdom

Serial: KR-00033 The talk discusses Zen Buddhist teachings on the importance of not clinging to personal views and the practice of wisdom in daily life. It uses stories such as the narrative of Fuchang and the anecdote of Hakurakuten to...
Buddha Mind, Buddha Nature, Nirvana, Ceremony
Oct 07 1969

Finding Purpose in Chaos

Serial: KR-00032 The talk explores the story of King Kuntun and the philosophical implications of chaos and the concept of completeness, comparing this tale to the lives of three individuals with unique paths, emphasizing the significance of...
Sep 28 1969

Zen Action Beyond Form

Serial: KR-00030 The talk analyzes a Zen koan from the "Mumonkan" or "Gateless Gate," specifically focusing on the story "Tipping Over a Water Vase". The narrative illustrates the non-attachment and direct action in Zen Buddhism, exemplified by...
Chanting, Community, Delusion, Interview
Sep 27 1969

Settling in the Dharma Mind

Serial: KR-00037 The talk explores the concepts of Right Thought (Shonen) and jhana in Zen Buddhism, focusing on Dogen Zenji’s teachings. Right Thought is presented as retaining the Dharma without forgetting, emphasizing the importance of...
Concentration, Conversation, Happiness, Posture
Sep 23 1969

Why I Came to America

Serial: SR-00157 "Why I became a priest" Memories of his father as a temple priest. Wanting to be an unusual priest himself, to teach people. Training at a temple with Oka Sotan. Enjoying teaching people who have no preconceptions about... The talk reflects on the personal journey to becoming a priest and coming to America, influenced by a background of poverty and the historic hardships faced by Buddhist temples due to governmental Shinto favoritism. Key...
Priest, Meiji, Japan, Dogen, Ceremony, Forms, New Year, Priest
Sep 16 1969
Sokoji

On Zen Center History, Personal History, and Nona Ransom

Serial: SF-05610 Interview of Suzuki Roshi by Peter Schneider The talk explores personal and Zen Center history, focusing on experiences with Miss Nona Ransom and the journey to understanding and practicing Zen. The narrative includes reflections on early students at the Zen Center, the...
Interview, Conversation, Suzuki Roshi, Priest, Transmission, Hate
Sep 16 1969
1 of 2

Interview of Suzuki by Peter Schneider

Serial: 69-09-16-IB Entered onto disk by DC 1996 or soRevised by Bill Redican 9/01 [I dated this 69-09-16 to go with other Peter Schneider interview and lecture of that date. Transcription was difficult with much time spent making sure -- or maybe... -
Interview, First Principle,
Sep 16 1969

Pure Silk, Sharp Iron

Serial: SR-00246 Sitting cross-legged - and then what? Having the right state of mind. Chinese and Japanese culture. His absent-mindedness, impatience. Virtue of endurance. The talk explores the concept of Zen practice, emphasizing the importance of attaining a certain state of mind through both physical posture and deep personal experience. It draws analogies from Japanese and Chinese cultural...
Zazen, Dogen, Ego, Forms, Patience, Transmission, War
Sep 14 1969

Zazen: Unlocking True Nature

Serial: KR-00036 The talk explicates Dogen's pivotal chapter "Bendo wa" from the "Shobo Genzo," emphasizing the primacy of Zazen as the essential practice within Zen Buddhism and the unique characteristics of single and direct transmission. The...
Birth-and-Death, Buddha Mind, Chanting, Delusion, Teacher-and-Student, Transmission...
Sep 07 1969

Experiencing Zen: Intuition Over Instruction

Serial: KR-00029 The talk delves into the essence of Zen, emphasizing the concept of "nothing" as a foundational understanding, where teachings are not delivered through structured lessons but instead through direct experiences and interactions....
Concentration, Realization, Samadhi
Sep 03 1969

Sesshin, Sixth Night Lecture

Serial: SR-00129 TassajaraSeptember, 1969 The talk focuses on Zen teachings regarding the distinction between the "small mind" and the "big mind," exemplified in the exchange between the Seventeenth Patriarch and the Eighteenth Patriarch about whether it is the bell or...
Sesshin, Ceremony, Don't Know Mind, Duality, Posture, Wisdom, Zazen
Sep 1969
Tassajara

Sesshin, Third Night Lecture

Serial: SR-00130 TassajaraSeptember, 1969 The talk delves into the intersection of practice and enlightenment in Zen, emphasizing that true practice encompasses everything, aligning with Dogen Zenji's teachings. The practice, whether in zazen or sutra recitation,...
Sesshin, Emptiness, Forms
Sep 1969
Tassajara

Shosan Ceremony

Serial: SR-00213 TassajaraSeptember, 1969 [Beginning of ceremony not recorded.] The talk centers on a Shosan Ceremony at Tassajara, emphasizing the nature of karma, the integration of breath practices, and the duality of life and death from a Zen perspective. The discussion explores various philosophical...
Sesshin, Shosan, Perfect Wisdom, Dragons, Death, Lay Practice, Continuous Practice, Doubt...
Sep 1969
Tassajara

Stand Up By The Ground

Serial: SF-05209 Protection Master "Suzuki Roshi summer sesshin 1969 2nd night lecture Sesshin, Second Night LectureSeptember, 1969Tassajara The talk discusses the concept of "inmo," as presented by Dogen Zenji, exploring its dual nature as both a definitive presence and a question, with parallels drawn to the term "it" in English. The speaker elaborates on how this...
Sesshin, Dogen, Continuous Practice, Doubt
Sep 1969
Tassajara

Wherever You Are, Enlightenment Is There

Serial: SF-05184 Sesshin: First Night Lecture, “I Don't Know Zazen”September 1969Tassajara Knowing that we have buddha nature even while we are in the dualistic world of good and bad. Analogy with various parts of a meal. Analogy... The talk addresses the dual nature of existence, emphasizing the recognition of buddha-nature amidst dualistic notions of good and bad. It highlights the importance of zazen practice in realizing enlightenment within imperfection...
Dogen, Buddha Nature, Enlightenment, Enlightenment, Zazen
Sep 1969
Tassajara

Our Practice And Our Everyday Activity

Serial: SF-05396 Saturday, August 30, 1969 Newly uploaded recording should be clearer to transcribe The talk emphasizes the integration of Zen practice into everyday life, focusing on the concept of "suchness" or "thusness" as described by Dogen. The discussion explores how understanding and experiencing this suchness, through...
Concentration, Gratitude, Posture, Composure, Fundraising
Aug 30 1969
Tassajara

Some Questions

Serial: SR-00133 The talk focuses on the essence of Zen practice, particularly zazen, emphasizing the integration of mindfulness with the body and the experience of reality beyond personal feelings of enlightenment. The discussion also covers the...
Question-and-Answer, Buddha Nature, Concentration, Posture, Tassajara
Aug 28 1969
Tassajara

Everyday Zen: Path to Enlightenment

Serial: KR-00035 The talk explores the Zen teaching method that emphasizes everyday activities like washing dishes and cleaning as vital practices for understanding life and achieving enlightenment. The speaker contrasts this experiential...
Ego, Emotions, Monastic Practice
Aug 26 1969

Question and Answer

Serial: SR-00083 The talk examines the themes of suffering, ignorance, and practice in Zen Buddhism, focusing on how improvement and motivation can relate to suffering. It discusses the concepts of ignorance as both a hindrance and a source of...
Question-and-Answer, Buddha Nature, Dragons, Separation, Suffering
Aug 25 1969
Tassajara

Twelve Links of Causation

Serial: SR-00135 Twelve Links Of Causation Juni-innen (Jap.) Dvada-aiga-pratatyasamutpada (San.) English Japanese Sanskrit -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1. ignorance mumyo avidya 2. action... The talk explores the "Twelve Links of Causation" in Buddhist philosophy, contrasting classical explanations with earlier scriptural interpretations. The discussion highlights the links' role in explaining life's suffering, as...
Consciousness, Suffering, Causation, Emptiness, Fasting, Mahayana
Aug 23 1969
Tassajara

Our Way To Attain Liberation

Serial: SF-05087B Tassajara Story of the Sixth Patriarch. Practice with everyone else at the monastery, without self-centered ideas. Answering student questions. Dan Gourley reel #4 The talk centers on the nature of Buddhist practice and the attainment of enlightenment, emphasizing the understanding that practice is integral to realizing one's true mind. The story of the Sixth Patriarch is used to...
Hui-neng, Monastic Practice, Japan, Hui-neng
Aug 21 1969
Tassajara

Some Questions

Serial: SR-00128 The talk primarily addresses questions concerning Zen practices, focusing on the nuances between counting-breath meditation and shikantaza, the function of rituals like bowing and chanting in ego purification, and exploring the...
Question-and-Answer, Precepts, Doubt, Continuous Practice, Concentration, Birth-and-Death,...
Aug 12 1969

Not Always So

Serial: SR-00124 August Sesshin Lecture Thursday, August 7, 1969 San Francisco The talk focuses on the Zen concept of impermanence and perspective, emphasizing that things are not always as they seem, using water as a metaphor. It illustrates how perception changes based on context and stresses the...
Sesshin, Dogen, Interdependence, Gratitude, Composure, Posture, Emptiness
Aug 07 1969
Sokoji

To Actually Practice Selflessness

Serial: SR-00125 August Sesshin Lecture Wednesday, August 6, 1969 San Francisco The talk explores the practice of zazen to cultivate selflessness by confronting difficulties such as physical pain and emotional reactions. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding the concept of "no self-nature...
Sesshin, Precepts, Funeral, Liberation, Continuous Practice, Karma
Aug 06 1969
Sokoji

We Practice Zazen So That We Attain Selflessness

Serial: SR-00137 The talk explores the concept of selflessness in Zen practice, emphasizing zazen as a means to transcend the illusion of a permanent self. By referencing Dogen Zenji's "Sansuikyo" from the Shobogenzo, it highlights the...
Don't Know Mind, Dragons, Separation, Suffering, Wisdom
Aug 03 1969
Tassajara

The First Teaching

Serial: SR-00158 Teaching of impermanence, everything changing; also there is selflessness, suffering and nirvana. The sufferings of birth, death, sickness and old age. Causes of suffering, because of ego. The talk explores the essential teachings of Buddhism, focusing on impermanence (shogyo-mujo), selflessness, suffering, and nirvana, known collectively as the "four seals of Buddhist teaching." It outlines how ignorance, arising...
Suffering, Ego, Impermanence, Birth-and-Death, Causation, Emptiness, Hate, Karma, Suffering,...
Aug 02 1969
Tassajara

The Most Important Precept

Serial: SR-00035 The talk explores the fundamental Buddhist precept that all beings and objects, animate and inanimate, are buddha in a broader sense, emphasizing a universal, dynamic understanding of "dhamma" beyond written scriptures. Two...
Precepts, Dogen, Eiheiji, Sanctuary, Hate, Suffering
Aug 01 1969
Tassajara

Ignorance and Illumination in Zen

Serial: KR-00026 The talk discusses the concepts of Zen meditation (Zenjo) and the profound significance of ignorance (Mumyo) in Buddhist practice. It emphasizes the role of concentration towards attaining enlightenment, discussing how ignorance...
Concentration, Causation, Obstacles, Delusion, Karma, Nirvana, Hate
Aug 1969

That is the purpose of counting

Serial: SR-00034 This talk explores Zen practice and its approach to dealing with anger, truth, and enlightenment, emphasizing direct experience over intellectual understanding. Key discussions include the purpose of counting in Zen walking,...
Daily Life, Emptiness, Karma, Wisdom
Jul 28 1969
Tassajara

Blue Cliff Records-43

Serial: SR-00032 Tozan's hot and cold. The talk explores the Zen koan "Blue Cliff Records-43" focusing on a dialogue between a monk and Zen Master Tozan regarding handling extreme conditions like heat and cold. The discussion emphasizes the practice of "killing hot...
Blue Cliff Record, Composure, Emptiness, Forms, Hate
Jul 26 1969
Tassajara

Embracing Change Through Mindful Balance

Serial: KR-00028 The talk delves into the Buddhist concept of "right view" and "right thought," emphasizing the importance of understanding the nature of existence through the constant dynamics of change, and the principles of the Middle Path,...
Ceremony, Concentration, Delusion, Monastic Practice
Jul 22 1969

Enjoy Your Life

Serial: SR-00031 Talk on the moon landing The talk explores the insignificance of external achievements, such as the moon landing, emphasizing the importance of introspection and cultivating a deeper understanding of life through zazen practice. It highlights that true...
Jul 20 1969

I have nothing in my mind

Serial: SR-00029 The talk explores the practice of shikantaza in Zen Buddhism, emphasizing its distinction from simply sitting without purpose and its comparative nature to koan practice. It underscores the importance of integrating effort,...
Emptiness, Forms, Zazen, Buddha Nature, Interview
Jul 15 1969
Sokoji

Eulogy For Trudy Dixon Given During Her Funeral Ceremony

Serial: SR-00028 Words from the funeral eulogy for Trudy Dixon. Magnanimous mind This eulogy reflects on the completion of a disciple's practice, emphasizing the profound realization and embodiment of the Buddha-mind, as delineated by Dogen Zenji. It outlines the transformation into the joyful, compassionate...
Tassajara, Dogen, Buddha Mind, Buddha Mind, Compassion
Jul 11 1969
Sokoji

FORM AND EMPTINESS II

Serial: SR-00027 Wednesday, July 9, 1969 Tassajara The talk explores the intricate relationship between form and emptiness, focusing on how understanding these concepts in Zen practice can transcend dualistic thinking. Emphasis is placed on the roles of different minds within the...
Heart Sutra, Duality, Emptiness, Forms
Jul 09 1969
Tassajara

Zen in Action: Mindful Living

Serial: KR-00027 The talk explores the concept of the union of mind and object, or "Sinkyo Ichi," within Zen Buddhism, emphasizing the importance of integrating this state into daily life rather than viewing it as merely an ecstatic, detached...
Concentration, Hate
Jul 09 1969

Question And Answer Session

Serial: SR-00025 Tuesday, July 8, 1969 San Francisco The talk revolves around various aspects of Zen practice, particularly focusing on the concepts of purity, naturalness, and enlightenment within the context of zazen. It is emphasized that the goal of practice should not be...
Question-and-Answer, Don't Know Mind, Emotions, Precepts, Zazen
Jul 08 1969
Sokoji

Practice Should Be The Practice Of “Right Now.”

Serial: SR-00024 Thursday, July 3, 1969 Tassajara The talk discusses the concept of practicing Zen in the present moment, highlighting the doctrine of "Form is emptiness and emptiness is form" as it relates to the immediacy and reality of experiences. The ideas of shochuhen,...
Heart Sutra, Death, Emptiness, Forms, War
Jul 03 1969
Tassajara

Zen Clarity Through Communal Practice

Serial: KR-00021 The talk examines the concept of "jyakujo," which signifies tranquility or silence in Zen practice. It emphasizes that true clarity and tranquility in Zen arise from continuous and communal practice rather than isolated...
Monastic Practice, Delusion, Birth-and-Death, Community, Obstacles, Happiness, Compassion...
Jul 03 1969

It Is Rather Difficult For Us To Figure Out Why We Started To Practice Zazen

Serial: SR-00023 Tuesday, July 1, 1969 Tassajara The talk focuses on the significance of practicing zazen and how determination and understanding of one’s true nature impact this practice. It questions the cultural perception of zazen in both America and Japan, emphasizing the...
Ceremony, Priest
Jul 01 1969
Tassajara

Rinzai Zen and Soto Zen

Serial: SR-00033 July 1969San Francisco Morning. The talk analyzes the differences between Rinzai Zen and Soto Zen, emphasizing Dogen Zenji’s resolution of the koan regarding the necessity of zazen if all beings have buddha-nature. The discussion highlights Dogen's conclusion...
Dogen, Buddha Nature, Ego, Priest, Tassajara, Transmission
Jul 1969
Sokoji

Pages