The SFZC Audio Archive

Serial: SF-10915 The well of the ego and breaking through karma. Intergenerational trauma and suffering. What are we passing down? 03/24/2021, Chikudo Catherine Spaeth, dharma talk at City Center. The talk explores the concept of mysticism and suffering within Zen practice, emphasizing the magnitude and all-encompassing nature of interbeing and the process of personal transformation through mystical experiences. The...

Serial: SF-09762 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha at Green Gulch Farm on 2021-03-21 The talk centers on the story of Hueca, Bodhidharma's disciple, who cuts off his arm to prove his sincerity and resolve to end suffering. It explores the symbolic and philosophical implications of Hueca's act within Zen practice...

Serial: SF-10909 In this sesshin talk by Sokaku Kathie Fischer, she continues a three-week exploration of Dogen's Shobogenzo Ziomonki highlighting the themes of practicing in Sangha and learning to trust ourselves in the work. She also encourages... The talk focuses on the practice of Zazen and the philosophy of non-gaining in Zen, as elucidated by Dogen in various teachings. Emphasizing the practice of shikantaza (just sitting), the talk highlights the importance of...

Serial: SF-11107 On the first day of a three-day sesshin, Zoketsu Norman Fischer shares with us Dogen Zenji's Book 4, Section 7 of the Zuimonki, with commentary on the themes of the true nature of mind, home leaving, and encouragement to choose... The talk explores the teachings of Dogen in his text "Zuimonki," emphasizing the need to transform fixed views to alleviate personal and collective suffering. The discussion includes Dogen’s concept that true realization...

Serial: SF-10939 In this Dharma talk during week 2 of the 3-week March Intensive, Zoketsu Norman Fischer, continues to explore Dogen's Shobogenzo Zuimonki with an exploration of Correct View from a Dharma prespective. The exploration "view" from... The talk delves into Dōgen's Zuimanki, particularly the importance of not clinging to personal views, as a pathway to true understanding and practice of Zen. It emphasizes recognizing the conditioned nature of all perceptions and...

Serial: SF-11052 Talk by Kathie Fischer at City Center on 2021-03-11 The talk centers around examining Dogen's "Zui Meng Ki," particularly Book 3, and its discussion on relating to others in Zen practice. This involves recognizing others' virtues rather than faults and cultivating awareness to...

Serial: SF-11077 Talk by Zoketsu Norman Fischer at City Center on 2021-03-07 The talk focuses on Dogen's Zui Monki, emphasizing the distinction between monastic and lay practitioners, arguing that genuine dedication to Dharma transcends physical renunciation. It highlights Dogen's belief that moral...

Serial: SF-11146 In Shobogenzo Zuimonki Book 1, Eihei Dogen Zenji repeatedly explores the theme of taking up "just one thing." In this talk, Kathie Fischer explores what it is in life and in practice to practice with "just one thing" and what is... The talk emphasizes Dogen's teachings, particularly from "Zui Monki," highlighting the importance of focusing attention on one thing to gain competence and steadiness of mind. Discussions include the notion that Buddhist practice...

Serial: SF-11007 Talk by Zoketsu Norman Fischer at City Center on 2021-03-03 This talk introduces intensive study on Dogen's Zui Mon Ki at the San Francisco Zen Center, focusing on aspiration for enlightenment as outlined in the text. The discussion explores the significance of aspiration over innate...

Serial: SF-11140 Weaving together the karmic consciousness of our lives and the land we inhabit. 02/28/2021, Jokai Carolyn Cavanagh, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. The talk explores the historical and ecological evolution of Green Gulch Farm, highlighting the roles of various stewards, from the Miwok people to present-day Zen practitioners, in shaping the landscape. The transformation of...

Serial: SF-11118 A reflection on Lunar new year and the traditions of the Lantern festivals and the arising of the question" Where is home?" What is your riddle? 02/24/2021, Gendo Lucy Xiao, dharma talk at City Center. The talk explores the cultural significance and personal reflections on the Lantern Festival, a celebration marking the first full moon of the Lunar New Year. It invokes poetic descriptions by Xin Qiji and Su Shi of the Song...

Serial: SF-11126 When the Emperor of China asked Bodhidharma who he was, the great teacher replied “Don’t know.” How do we respond when asked this very question? 02/21/2021, Furyu Nancy Schroeder, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. The talk explores identity, entanglement, and the Buddhist path to liberation through Zen practice. It references Bodhidharma's teachings, especially the "Bloodstream Sermon," emphasizing the mind's role in enlightenment. The...

Serial: SF-11106 Buddhist practice and teachings on personal and communal resilience that can help us to heal into wholeness. 02/20/2021, Tenzen David Zimmerman, dharma talk at City Center. The talk focuses on resilience, both personal and communal, in the context of ongoing global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, racial injustice, and climate change. It describes five key skills for cultivating personal...

Serial: SF-11057 Tenshin Roshi teaches on Zen meditation as the intimacy of solitary awakening and social awakening. 02/14/2021, Tenshin Reb Anderson, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. In the talk, the multifaceted nature of Zen meditation, or zazen, is explored, emphasizing its personal and interpersonal dimensions. Zen practice is described as an activity of awakening that involves embracing both personal...

Serial: SF-10972 Welcome/opening to the 3-day sesshin focusing on the Brahma Viharas and warm-hearted zazen. Emphasis in this talk, Metta.02/10/2021,Horin Nancy Petrin, Jiryu Rutschman-Byler, dharma talk at City Center. The talk explores the concept of love within Zen practice, particularly focusing on how it can be applied and understood during the time of COVID. It emphasizes the importance of genuine, self-explored love rather than...

Serial: SF-11027 Eijun Roshi offers a description of Buddha's mind: a tender heart toward all sentient beings as if they were babies. 07/02/2021, Eijun Linda Cutts, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. The talk explores the concept of Buddha's mind through the lens of compassion, joy, and selfless giving, closely examining how these ideas are intertwined with the notion of having a tender heart towards all beings akin to how...

Serial: SF-11133 Reflections on harmonious activity and co-operation for our common good. 02/03/2021, Jisan Tova Green, dharma talk at City Center. The talk focuses on "harmonious activity" or cooperation as a means to connect with one another, especially during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. It discusses the Buddha's "four means of embracing others" which include...

Serial: SF-10969 A talk, at the conclusion of the Lotus Sutra Intensive, on Chapter Two of the Lotus Sutra. 01/31/2021, Kokyo Henkel, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. The talk revisits critical aspects of the Lotus Sutra, particularly its second chapter on "skillful means," emphasizing the inexpressible nature of ultimate reality and the necessity for evolving interpretations. The speaker...

Serial: SF-11086 A talk on the Lotus Sutra and the parable of the prodigal son. This very moment is the way to buddhahood if we would just get out of our way. 01/27/2021, Furyu Nancy Schroeder, dharma talk at City Center. This talk explores the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, emphasizing its parables and the concept of skillful means, or "skyhooks", used by the Buddha to guide individuals towards awakening. The parable of the prodigal son...

Serial: SF-10914 A quick review of the teachings in the Lotus Sutra which are said to lead all to the complete perfect enlightenment of a Buddha. 01/24/2021, Furyu Nancy Schroeder, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. The talk explores the study of the Lotus Sutra, particularly focusing on its all-inclusive view on spiritual identity and its teachings on enlightenment through the "One Buddha Vehicle." The discourse delves into the characters...

Serial: SF-10892 Talk by Abbess Fu Schroeder at City Center on 2021-01-21 The talk explores the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, emphasizing its parables, especially the "Parable of the Prodigal Son," to illustrate the belief that enlightenment and Buddhahood potential exist within all beings. The...

Serial: SF-09743 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha at Green Gulch Farm on 2021-01-17 The talk explores the intersection of personal and political beliefs with Buddhist teachings, specifically focusing on the principle of "right view" from the Eightfold Path and the Yogachara school of thought, which emphasizes...

Serial: SF-11105 A talk in honor of Martin Luther King, Buddhist practice and the study of our nervous systems in order to understand fear and aversion and grow our capacity to welcome and love one another. 01/16/2021, Dr. Larry Ward, dharma talk... The talk examines the intersection of Zen practice and social justice, focusing on the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. and Thich Nhat Hanh. It stresses the need for mindfulness in addressing societal challenges such as racism...

Serial: SF-10953 Sojun Mel Weitsman Roshi's three Green Gulch resident Dharma Heirs - Steve Weintraub, Sara Tashker, and Jiryu Rutschman-Byler - share their reflections on their late teacher's teaching. The talk reflects on the teachings and legacy of Mel Weitzman Roshi, a disciple of Suzuki Roshi, emphasizing his embodiment of the Zen principle of "nothing special" and the ordinary nature of profound practice....