The SFZC Audio Archive

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

Showing 5828 talks
 

- Reset Search

Title Speaker Date

Zazen: Resonating Beyond Thought

Serial: SF-04343 The discussion focuses on Zazen, portraying it as an integral practice that transcends ordinary judgment and connects practitioners to a broader, interconnected existence with all beings. The practice is framed as a communal...
Balance, Uchiyama, Faith, Tassajara

On Kechimyaku, Inka and Robes

Serial: SF-00028 Interviewed by Kazuaki Tanahashi; brief history of studies in Rinzai dojo; nature of being a roshi. The talk explores the rigorous training and life journey of an individual within the Rinzai Zen tradition, delving into personal experiences, philosophical reflections, and historical accounts of the Zen practice. Central themes...
Hate, Dana Paramita, Religion, Intuition, Lineage, Evil, Happiness, Freedom, Doubt...
Jan 09 1977

Obstacles as Pathways to Enlightenment

Serial: SF-00082 The talk discusses the nature of obstacles and their role in spiritual practice, emphasizing that obstacles are not enemies but opportunities for growth and understanding. It explores the concept of perception and one's...
Obstacles, Anger, Doubt, Enemies, Dana Paramita, Emotions, Observe, Bell, Vow, Instruction...
Jul 23 1989

Lotus Sūtra No. I-3

Serial: SR-00117 February 1968Zen Mountain Center The talk examines a segment of the "Lotus Sūtra," focusing on a dialogue between Manjusri and Maitreya addressing the grand discourse and its deeper meanings. It discusses Manjusri's role in conveying the teaching of the law...
Lotus Sutra, Wisdom, Dana Paramita, Perfect Wisdom, Intention, Monks, Sutra, Precepts,...
Feb 1968
Series 1, Talk 3
Tassajara

Because Of Our Many Desires, We Do Not Have Freedom

Serial: SR-00102 The talk discusses the nature of desires and the Buddhist path to freedom from worldly attachments, arguing that our desires restrict our freedom and cause suffering. It emphasizes practicing mindfulness to overcome these...
Freedom, Desire, Changsha, Suffering, Dana Paramita, Death, Lay, Offering, Bell, Truth...
Aug 03 1971
Tassajara

Awakening Through Non-Dual Identity

Serial: SF-01885 Q&A The talk explores an experience of non-duality, described as the realization of identity with what was previously perceived as the "other," specifically in the context of a confrontation with a riot squad. This experience led to...
Suzuki Roshi, Delusion, Peace, Impermanence, Anger, Separation, Evil, Mill Valley, Tassajara...
Sep 11
Unknown

Ego's Dance in Zen Practice

Serial: KR-00305 The talk examines the practice of making the Rakusu and chanting in Zen Buddhism, emphasizing the importance of engaging in these activities without seeking outcomes, as doing so transforms life into a 'magic' or a mere game. The...
Ego, Evil, Monastic Practice, Delusion, Oneness
Aug 20

Re-Opening Ceremony

Serial: SF-08221 Talk by Reopening at City Center on 2025-02-22 The talk focuses on the reopening and rededication of Beginner's Mind Temple after extensive renovations. The central themes include the history and significance of the temple within the Zen Center community, the renovation...
Community, Sangha, Effort
City Center

Dharma's Journey: Zen Transmission Unveiled

Serial: SF-01370A The talk focuses on the concept of Dharma Transmission within the Zen tradition, detailing its historical significance, process, and spiritual implications. It addresses the rarity and sensitivity of Dharma Transmission, explains...
Dharma Transmission, Transmission, Ceremony
Feb 18

Transformative Paths in Buddhist Repentance

Serial: SF-01419 The talk explores the concept of repentance rites within evolving Buddhist traditions, emphasizing the integration and reinterpretation of initiation ceremonies into new forms of teaching called Repentance. The discussion...
Evil, Repentance, Vow
Aug 15

Mind Unbound: Zen's Path to Clarity

Serial: SF-01416 This talk delves into the exploration of enlightenment and the nature of mind through reflections on key Zen stanzas. Central to the discussion is the recounting of a historical episode involving stanzas attributed to Shen Shu...
Buddha Nature, Enlightenment, Buddha Mind
Jul 18

Myth and Tradition in Zen Texts

Serial: SF-01417 The talk discusses the significance and various versions of the Platform Sutra, highlighting its unique position as a "sutra" originating from China rather than India. The Platform Sutra's canonical status is attributed to its...
Sixth Patriarch, Platform Sutra, Ordination
Jul 11

Embracing Zen Through Uncertainty

Serial: SF-12422 Talk by Zenju Earthlyn Manuel Osho at City Center on 2025-10-18 The talk emphasizes embracing uncertainty in Zen practice, guided by the teachings of Suzuki Roshi and influenced by Dogen Zenji’s philosophy. The narrative weaves personal anecdotes, illustrating the consistent theme of not...
Time, Suffering, Suzuki Roshi
City Center

Zen Alchemy: Transformation Through Presence

Serial: SF-12355 Talk by Unclear at Tassajara on 2020-01-31 The talk explores the profound moments of transformation that occur through Zen practice, emphasizing the importance of being fully present and engaged in every aspect of life, no matter how mundane it may seem. Key themes...
Samadhi, Time, Practice
Tassajara

Consciousness Transformed: Yogacara's Modern Relevance

Serial: SF-12294 Talk by Ben Connelly at Tassajara on 2018-05-04 This talk provides an overview of Vasubandhu's Yogacara and highlights the transformative potential embedded in the teachings of consciousness-only Buddhism. It discusses Vasubandhu's evolution from early Buddhist perspectives to...
Consciousness, Practice, Mindfulness
Tassajara

Endless Practice, True Self Discovery

Serial: KR-00229 The talk focuses on the quest for understanding one's true nature through Zen practice and the futility of traditional achievements or external recognitions in realizing that understanding. It emphasizes the teachings of Dogen...
Lotus Sutra
Apr 13

Mastery in Letting Go

Serial: KR-00233 The talk centers on the concept of "finishing touches" in Zen practice, emphasizing that true mastery involves letting go of conscious control over actions and accepting the natural order or "Absolute" state of existence where...
Composure
Jun 07

Kesa: Threads of Spiritual Liberation

Serial: KR-00301 The talk explores the concept of "kesa," a Buddhist ceremonial robe, delving into its significance and symbolism as described in Buddhist texts. The discussion covers the translation and interpretation challenges of kesa,...
Attachment, Chanting, Delusion, difficulty, Emotions, Four Noble Truths, Greed, Liberation,...
Jul 27

It Is Actually Buddha's Practice

Serial: SF-06114B The main thesis of the talk emphasizes that true practice in Zen involves embodying Buddha's practice rather than perceiving it as a personal endeavor. This concept suggests that selfless practice leads to liberation from...
Sesshin, Tatsugami, Zazen, Karma
Tassajara

Beyond Identity: Embracing Interconnection

Serial: SF-12216 Talk by Jian Tova Green at City Center on 2017-07-19 The talk delves into themes of widening one's sense of self and interconnection through stories, poetry, and meditative practices. A key focus is on recognizing and expanding beyond fixed ideas about identity, learning from...
Time, Poetry, Practice
City Center

Mosquito Mounting an Iron Ox

Serial: SF-09317 10/27/2012, Eijun Linda Cutts dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. The talk discusses the non-duality of zazen practice and precepts, emphasizing their integrated nature and how ancient stories of Zen masters, such as Yaoshan and his exchanges with Shitou, illustrate this understanding. It...
Zazen, Practice, Meditation
Green Gulch Farm

Beginner's Mind Unveiling Zen Truths

Serial: SF-09525 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha Sessions Koan Study Gui Spina on 2024-02-25 This discussion centers on the study of koans from Shunryu Suzuki's "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind," emphasizing the theme of "beginner's mind" as essential to Zen practice. The role of koans in understanding Zen principles like non-...
Time, Suzuki Roshi, Buddha

Welcoming Spirits Through Zen Ritual

Serial: SF-12476 Talk by Class Doshin Dan Gudgel Sejiki on 2025-10-16 This talk introduces a three-week course on the Sajiki Ceremony, a Zen ritual focused on spirit offerings and interactions with troubled spirits, or "hungry ghosts." It discusses the historical context and execution of the...
Sejiki, Ceremony, Ceremony, Time, Offering
City Center

Embodied Stillness in Zen Practice

Serial: SF-12239 The talk explores the practice of seated meditation in Zen, centering on the physicality of sitting, the body's alignment, and the experience of stillness. It emphasizes the importance of understanding individual bodily needs...
Suzuki Roshi, Awakening, Zazen
City Center

Embrace Stillness for True Mindfulness

Serial: SF-12260 The talk emphasizes the importance of fully embracing stillness during zazen by putting aside all mundane responsibilities to access deeper levels of meditation and self-awareness. The speaker references teachings from Tiantai...
Shikantaza, Zhiyi, Sojun Mel Weitsman, Zazen, Big Mind, Breath
City Center

Offering the Moment: Zen Presence

Serial: SF-12287 The talk explores the concept of making offerings within the Zen practice as a fundamental human need, examining how offering oneself—the body, actions, and presence—in everyday activities transcends the tangible outcomes. It...
Offering, Dogen, Vow
City Center

Zen Precepts: The Essence of Being

Serial: SF-12365 The main thesis of the talk centers on the non-duality of Zen and precepts, exploring the idea that precepts are not merely moral codes to follow but are intrinsic to the reality of existence, embodying a practice of Zen itself....
Precepts, Ceremony, Dogen
City Center

Tend to Your Spirit: Teachings from Illness

Serial: SF-12462 Talk by Zenshin Florence Caplow at City Center on 2025-11-01 The talk discusses the intersection of Zen practice and the experience of chronic illness, emphasizing the profound teachings derived from these challenges. The speaker reflects on the themes of energy (virya), confidence (...
Time, Practice, Suffering
City Center

Pages